http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/ http://www.eblah.com en http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1267435757/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1267435757/#num1 A New Season, A New Exhibition at West Berkshire Museum

A new exhibition marking the reopening of the ground floor galleries of West Berkshire Museum for the summer season, will be launched on Thursday 1st April.

“Archaeology in West Berkshire” will highlight some of the most important discoveries of recent years and will focus on how they can inform and change our understanding not just of West Berkshire but also much further afield. The exhibition will be located in the Corn Stores gallery on the ground floor, taking advantage of extra public space.

Discoveries like the breathtaking Crow Down Hoard, found in 2004 in Lambourn: five Bronze Age gold bracelets and armlets, thought to have been made from Irish gold, which might give an insight into trade links across Northern Europe.

Most visitors will be familiar with terms such as Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age but they will find out that other local discoveries have provoked the re examination of this structure. For example traditionally it is believed that iron working began in Britain around 700BC. However the finding of tiny pieces of iron hammerscale dated to around 1000BC at Hartshill Quarry has raised doubts about this and encouraged further discussion.

Finds from other sites will also be on display including those from Thatcham where the discovery of an actual Roman Road was made, a Saxon settlement in Lambourn and a medieval cemetery in Newbury where 56 skeletons were uncovered giving a unique insight into the lives of ordinary medieval people in Newbury. Recent work at Park Way in Newbury is also featured as a key location in the town which was previously unstudied. Throughout, the exhibition will describe how artefacts are cared for once they are unearthed.

But archaeology is not just found below ground, as visitors will learn from the work of archaeologists involved in the Shaw House restoration project. What they revealed about how the house had been built and altered has informed our understanding of the story of the House and therefore the interpretation provided for today’s visitors.

All this will undoubtedly whet the appetite to go out and experience archaeology first hand. Part of the exhibition will explain what sites are publicly accessible and how they can be visited.

Archaeological trails will be available for younger visitors during opening hours as well as quizzes, hands on activities and other events at times and dates yet to be announced.

From 1st April West Berkshire Museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10.30am to 5.00pm and Sunday, 11.00am to 4.00pm. Archaeology in West Berkshire will run until 27th June. For more information please telephone 01635 519562 or visit http://www.westberkshiremuseum.org.uk]]> Mon, 1 Mar 2010 09:29:17 Administrator http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1266837338/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1266837338/#num1 Civil War re-enactment comes to Shaw House – Saturday 6 March

Visitors to West Berkshire Council’s Shaw House on Saturday 6th March will be transported back to Civil War times. The Earl of Rivers’ Regiment will come to blows as they perform their drill in the grounds outside the house at around 2pm.

The Regiment is part of The Sealed Knot Society, the largest re-enactment society in Europe. They travel all over the U.K with thousands of others to re-enact the English Civil War and have been active in the Thames Valley area for more than 35 years.

From 11am, a few soldiers will be demonstrating their weapons, including 16-18 foot pikes, muskets and swords. The drill in the afternoon gives a greater number of combatants the chance to practice and learn manoeuvres prior to their battlefield events. Finally they will split into two sides and prepare to do battle! The skirmish that follows will continue until around 4pm.

Throughout the day civilian re-enactors will chat to visitors about what day to day life was like during the time of the civil war. Amongst them will be a ‘bodger’; a man who could 'bodge' repairs on furniture using a simple pole lathe, a bit like a spinning top controlled with his foot as he carved.

A few soldiers will also be in residence around the house on the 7th, 20th and 21st March to explain their clothing, weapons and the role they play in Civil War events.

There is also a new special exhibition inside the historic manor. “Tradition Says” focuses on the exciting Civil War story at the House. Visitors will be fascinated to learn that a well loved story is just that; a story. Charles I was reputed to have been shot at while standing in a window on the first floor at Shaw House during the Second Battle of Newbury in 1644 appears to have never been at the house! Contemporary sources suggest that the King was quartered elsewhere. Where? Why? For that you will have to visit and find out.

The exhibition also includes a portrait of Jacob, Lord Astley, commander of the Royalist Infantry, known to have played a key role in the second. The 1640 oil painting is kindly lent by a leading specialist dealer. West Berkshire Museum is currently trying to raise £16,000 to purchase it.

There is a lot at Shaw House in this new season for the younger visitor too. Ethel the Sheep has taken up residence in 1581 Chambers activity room to befriend children and introduce them to the trade that made the builder of Shaw House, Thomas Dolman, and indeed Newbury, so wealthy: Cloth. Youngsters can also make themselves a hat, from our trove of craft materials, inspired by another object from the exhibition, the 17th Century Shaw House Iron Hat. And don’t forget the wheelie dos, they’re back! You’ll find these mobile activity stations throughout the house.

Baby changing facilities are available and there are high chairs in the café which serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes, snacks and ice cream. Finally don’t forget the gift shop which stocks something for all visitors from nostalgic ex-pupils to younger visitors and those with a sweet tooth!

Shaw House is open every weekend for the rest of 2010. Throughout February and March opening hours are 11am – 4pm. The House is also open for half term, everyday from 11am to 4pm. Visit our website http://www.shawhouse.org.uk or call 01635 279279 for more information.

For further information please contact Lucy Rumens, Marketing & Tourism Manager, lrumens@westberks.gov.uk or 01635 519397.]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:15:38 Administrator http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1265371181/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1265371181/#num1 ]]> Fri, 5 Feb 2010 11:59:41 Administrator http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1264413192/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1264413192/#num1 Chinese New Year Celebration
Saturday 6th February 2010
12 – 3pm, Newbury College

Following the success if last year’s Chinese Cultural Event the West Berkshire Minority
Ethnic Forum in partnership with West Berkshire Council and Newbury College will be
holding Chinese New Year Celebrations.

It is the Year of the Tiger; the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac symbolizing courage.
The Year 2010 is predicted to bring prosperity and positive transformations.

The Chinese New Year Celebrations will begin at 12 noon with a ceremonial Lion
Dance performed by Eagle Claw Kung Fu School. There will be performances and
displays of martial arts, traditional Chinese music and dance. There will be Chinese tea
tasting and Chinese food which has been supplied by Howan in Newbury.

You will have an opportunity to play some traditional Chinese games including Ma Jiang
and Chinese chess. There will be craft workshops including the beautiful art of brush
painting and Chinese calligraphy. There will also be an opportunity to try out some
martial arts techniques. The Forum hopes to capture and celebrate the many elements
of Chinese culture and tradition through this event.

Nadeem Soomro, Chair of the Forum said, "This event is a great opportunity for local
people to enjoy and take part in celebrations from around the world. It is an excellent
way to learn more about Chinese culture, faith and customs whilst also having fun." Mr
Soomro also adds, “We are grateful to Richard Benyon, MP for Newbury who is the
guest of honour at this event”.

The forum with the support of West Berkshire Council and Falkland Primary School has
been running Chinese and Mandarin classes, which are open to all children of the
community. These children will be dressing up in traditional outfits and performing
some Chinese songs.

If you would like to attend the Chinese New Year Celebrations please contact Waheeda
on Waheedasoomro@yahoo.co.uk or 07900 218618.]]> Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:53:12 Administrator http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1264148337/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1264148337/#num1 A press release from th RSPB

The Big Garden Birdwatch 30th/31st January 2010

If like us, you love birds and want to help them, then the Big Garden Birdwatch is your chance to do something that really counts.

For the past 30 years, we've been asking our supporters to count the birds in their garden. During this time, more than 3 million hours have been clocked up watching and enjoying the birds that visit our gardens (that's more than 380 years!), and every year, some 6 million birds are spotted by you.

The Big Garden Birdwatch has never been more important than it is today, with the results from half a million of you (that's 280,00 gardens surveyed, which is rather a lot!) helping us create a 'snapshot' picture of bird numbers in each region, showing us that some of our birds are disappearing in scary numbers.

We've lost more than half our house sparrows, and three-quarters of our starlings, and your results have certainly helped highlight these dramatic declines.

These surveys, therefore, help us spot problems, but more importantly, are also the first step to help aid a species recovery.

But we mustn't forget that Big Garden Birdwatch is also fun, easy and only takes an hour.

Further details from: http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/]]> Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:18:57 Administrator