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The award-winning

is a great day out forthe whole familyLocated on the site of theformer Valley Colliery, whichlater became a miningtraining centre, themuseum is the gateway tothe Hednesford HillsNature Reserve and theideal starting point for avisit to Cannock Chase, adesignated Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty.

Whether you are interested in local coal mining, want ahands-on experience of the history of toys or fancyreminiscing about Granny’s front room, we’ve got

something for everyone.Explore our local area, pastand present, and ourexhibitions and eventsprogramme means there isalways something new tosee. There’s also lots forfamilies, including quizzes,interactive exhibits andactivities all year round!

Trace the Chase Visit our Local HistoryGallery and discover thehistory of the CannockChase area. Interactivedisplays tell the story ofour industrial beginnings,military and wartimehistory, notable localcitizens, work, leisure and wildlife.

Heritage Walks

Experience the history and beauty of Cannock Chase witha walk or cycle along the Cannock Chase Heritage Trail.Find out more from the museum.Launching in 2016, a new app will allow you to take guidedwalks on Hednesford Hills, and discover the history of thisbeautiful Nature Reserve. Visit the website or ask atreception for more details.

The Parlour at the Pavilion

Why not combine a visit to the museumwith a trip to the ice cream parlour in thenewly renovated Hednesford Park Pavilion?Opening in spring 2016 the pavilion will offer: • Locally made organic, real dairy ice cream • Fresh shakes and sundaes • Sub sandwiches and snacksAdjacent to the new children’s playground andother park attractions.

MiningMemories Experience the fascinating story of coal mining inCannock Chase, discover how it shaped our area andmeet the people who worked in the pits in our Coal MiningGallery.

Mining Memories is a fascinating interactive journey back intime to the Cannock Chase coalfield, which was thebackbone of the community until the last pit closed in 1993.What was it like to work down the pit? Enter the pit cage andlisten as it shudders and shakes its way to the mine! Dressas a miner and find out about his day at work! Watcharchive films from the old Valley Training Centre and use ourinteractive maps to find out where the collieries were.

Hednesford. Image courtesy Ray Smith

Museum Cannock Chase

of

WE SUPPORT

11th January – 26th February

John Kraujalis: Sky, Land and WaterA collection of landscape photographsby local photographer John Kraujalisdepicting our beautiful countryside.John’s photographs are an artisticinterpretation of what he sees. Helooks for combinations oflandscapes and colour and much ofhis work involves sunsets andreflections.

7th March – 24th April

J.R.R. Tolkien &Staffordshire 1915-1918. A Literary LandscapeJ.R.R Tolkien, the world famous author of The Hobbit and TheLord of the Rings, spent a period of his early life in Staffordshire,in particular during the Great War whenposted to the army training camps on Cannock Chase. These yearswere a formative period in thedevelopment of Tolkien’s work onthe mythology, languages, historyand geography of what wouldbecome Middle-earth. Curated by The Haywood Society,this exhibition will celebrate theimportance of Staffordshire on theearly writings of J.R.R. Tolkienand the development of his visionof Middle-earth.

30th April – 19th June

Chris Holloway: A Transport of Delight Born and brought up near the railways and canals of WestBromwich, near the railway and canal, artist Chris Holloway had aninterest in transport from anearly age. He startedpainting in 1994 and sincethen it has become a realpassion. This exhibitionfeatures oil paintings ofpassenger and freighttransport from the early19th century to the presentday – mainly from the Midlands.Whether of railways, canals, trolley buses, ocean liners and aircraft,each painting has a story to tell which is included in the exhibition.

25th June – 14th August

Cannock Chase Open Art‘Celebrating Staffordshire’Calling all artists! Here is your opportunity to submit your artworkfor display in the museum exhibition gallery. To markStaffordshire’s 1000th birthday, the theme this year is‘Celebrating Staffordshire’ and we are looking for works inspiredby the county, its people, places and industries. Whether it ispainting, drawing, needlework, crafts, ceramics or sculpture, wewelcome all forms of art. There are no geographical restrictions

on entry, sowhy not havea go? It‘sopen to all.All workchosen fordisplay canbe offeredfor sale.

20th August – 14th October

Jean Walker: Sightseeing The museum is delighted to welcome back artist Jean Walker with anew collection of striking oil paintings. This year’s exhibitionfocusses on Jean’s travels and the photosshe has taken over the years. She alsotakes inspiration from trips taken by herfamily and friends.Her trademark method consists ofworking with assorted mediums and apalette knife to enhance a particularscene, making it heavy in texture. Jeanstrives to bring to life the beauty of naturethrough her own individual style, aiming toencapsulate nature’s beautiful colours,vistas, buildings and wildlife around the UK.

24th October – 16th December

Everybody’s Darling:The First World War,NurseDuring the First World War, thousands ofwomen served as nurses. While many assistedin hospitals at home, others worked close to thebattlefields. For many of the privileged young women who becamenurses the work was a huge culture shock. The nurses made a great and lasting impression and commandedgreat respect. They provided vital skills and fulfilled an essential role.Many also risked and sometimes lost their lives. 100 years after theFirst World War, this exhibition pays homage to the nursingorganisations that served during the war and the experiences of thenurses themselves.

The Space by the Chase: a space for art, the place for coffee

Enjoy our brand new selection of speciality hot drinks, cakes, snacksand ice creams, in our new-look coffee shop. Local artists are invited tohire the walls to display their artwork in this bright welcoming space.

Exhibitions

Image courtesy of John Kraujalis

Image courtesy of Jean Walker

Image courtesy of Emma Warren

Image courtesy of Chris Holloway

EventsBirds of Hednesford HillsSaturday 30 January • 11am – 3pm • Free Join us for the RSPB BigGarden Birdwatch! Bird watching and crafts for all the family.

Half Term Events - Sky, Land and Water 15 - 19 February • 11am – 3pm • £2 Drop in arts and crafts for half term- visit the website for more details.

A Woodland Mystery -A murder mystery evening supper Saturday 27 February • 7.30pm • £18 Become a detective and help to unfold the mystery surroundingspooky Gaskin's Wood. Includes a fish and chip supper.

Fight, Flight and Fire!Saturday 12 March • 11am – 3pm • Free Science – medieval style! British Science Week event for all the family.

Easter Eggstravaganza 28 March – 8 April • £2 per workshop Fun activities for spring and exploring the works of JRR Tolkien.

Staffordshire Day Sunday 1 May • 12noon – 4pm • Free A local history fair to celebrate our own special corner of Staffordshire.

Transport of Delight Talks Tuesday 3 May & Thursday 9 June • 2pm Learn more about Chasewater Railway (3 May) and Aston ManorTransport Museum (9 June).

VE DaySaturday 7 May • 11am – 4pm A day of activities to commemorate this momentous occasion.

Museums at Night – Transport of DelightFriday 13 May • 5pm – 8pm • Free Visit the museum at night for fun family activities.

Half Term Workshops – Transport30 May – 3 June • £2 per workshop Drop in arts and crafts for half term with a transport theme.

Chase Quilt and Embroidery Festival Saturday 2 - Sunday 3 July Fabulous opportunity to view beautifulquilts and purchase quilting fabrics and haberdashery.

Archaeology for All Saturday 23 July • 11am – 4pm An exciting event for the Festival of British Archaeology.

Summer Workshops – Passport to the WorldTuesdays in July and August • £2 per workshop Travel the world in our globetrotting themed summer workshops.

Summer Family Day Sunday 7 August • 12noon – 4pm • Free Craft activities, workshops, displays and shows for all the family.

Hound of the Baskervilles Friday 19 - Saturday 20 August • £15 Family (2 adults & 2 children): £55 An outdoor theatre event re-telling the classic Sherlock Holmesadventure. Bring a picnic and waterproofs.

Jean Walker ‘Artist in Residence’ Tuesday 23 August and Thursday 13 October • 11.30am – 2.30pm Meet Jean Walker, the artist behind our current exhibition, Sightseeing.

Halloween Spooktacular! 24 - 28 October • £2 per workshop Spooky fun for all the family for half term!

The Mystery of the Mine of Doom - A murder mystery evening! Saturday 29 October • 7.30pm • £15 Become a detective and enjoy a piece of spooky storytelling theatre!Includes refreshments.

Edith Cavell and Nursing in World War One Wednesday 26 October & Wednesday 9 November Visit our World War One field hospital on 26 October and hear moreabout Nurse Edith Cavell at a talk on 9 November.

Winter Wonderland Sunday 20 November • 12noon – 3pm • FreeNature-themed activities and crafts for all the family.

Christmas Family Day Sunday 4 December • 12noon – 4pm • FreeChristmas craft activities, workshops, displays and shows.

Dementia Friendly Events All year Workshops for those living with dementia and their carers - see website for details.

You Crafty ThingThursdays • 10.30am – 12.30pmWeekly adult craft group – stick, knit and sew with fellow crafters.

Little Friends3rd Friday of the month • 10am – 12pm Themed activities and events for babies and toddlers: crafts, baby area,water, sand & sorting play, outdoor fun, rhyme time, music and storytelling.

Coming Soon: Conversation Club Our new monthly conversation club – explore museum artefacts, chatabout times past and meet friends.

ServicesGroup TalksMuseum staff can deliver talks to groups andorganisations, either at the museum or at your own venue,including artefact handling. Please speak to the BookingsOfficer to book your talk. Charges apply.

Call for Artists!Are you an artist interested in exhibiting at the museum?Professional artists can apply to exhibit in our temporaryexhibition gallery, whilst enthusiastic amateurs can hire thecoffee shop walls to display their work. Please contact themuseum for an application form.

ResearchThe museum has a research library containing books,photographs and documents about the history of the localarea. We also offer a Collections Enquiry Service. Contactour Collections Officer on Tuesday, Wednesday andThursday mornings to make an appointment.

Learning at the MuseumOur education programme has won the Sandford Award forHeritage Education four times. Each interactive learning day,led by a museum educator, includes exciting hands-onactivities, including object handling, demonstrations androle play. Topics include World War II, Coal Mining, LocalStudies, Habitats, Toys and Science. Outreach and bespoketours also available. Ask for a brochure.

Room hireHire our conference room or workshop for your nextmeeting, training or conference. We offer a tranquil setting,competitive rates and free parking.

Opening Times2016 The museum is open all year round, except for two weeksat Christmas and New Year.Easter to the end of Sept – Daily, 11am to 5pm, includingBank Holidays.October to Good Friday – Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm.Last admissions 30 minutes before closing.

General admission is free of charge. Charges apply to someservices and activities. Groups - please contact us to help usplan your visit.

Visitor FacilitiesOur coffee shop sells hot & cold drinks, ice creams, cakes andsnacks. There is space to picnic outside and we can advise onlocal places to eat. The gift shop sells a range of localpublications, gifts, souvenirs and pocket money toys. Find outwhat else there is to do locally in our Cannock Chase TouristInformation Point. Baby changing facilities, high chairs and bikeracks are also available.

AccessFacilities include ramps, lift, stairlift, Braille and large printguides, disabled toilet, induction loops and disabled parking.Access statement available from the museum or on thewebsite.

/museumofcannockchase museumofcannockchase.org

Hednesford

How to find usThe museum is just 15 minutes walk away from Hednesfordbus and railway stations and has ample free parking. It iseasily accessed from the M6 and M6 Toll. Follow the brown‘purple stag’ signs from major routes into Cannock Chase.

Museum of Cannock ChaseValley Road, Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS12 1TD.Phone: 01543 877666Email: museumofcannockchase@wlct.org

museumofcannockchase.org /museumofcannockchase

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