Museum to host history talks
The history of Erewash will come to life with monthly talks hosted at Erewash Museum.
Each 45-minute talk will start at 2pm in the Hayloft at the museum in Ilkeston town centre.
The talks begin on Saturday 28 January when the topic will be the Folklore and Customs in the East Midlands. Dave Mooney, who has a book published on interesting places of Nottingham, will explore a year in the folk calendar, with highlights being Christmas traditions and events such as mob football games and Mummers’ plays. The talk will incorporate singing and puppetry to bring the topic to life.
Museum Director Dr Chrissie Van Mierlo will recount the history of The Bellfoundry on Saturday 25 February. Owned by John Taylor and Company, from Loughborough, the Bellfoundry has been making bells for hundreds of years and has bells hanging in nearly every cathedral in England and across the world in more than 100 countries.
On Saturday 25 March a talk on Bennerley Viaduct called ‘A Bridge to Victorian Railway Social History’ will be delivered by Kate Crossley, the Viaduct’s Heritage and Engagement Lead. It will cover the history of the England’s largest surviving wrought iron viaduct and its impact on the Erewash Valley as a key part of the borough’s industrial heritage, and why it is so important that it is preserved.
Leader of Erewash Borough Council, Councillor Carol Hart, said:
“The borough has a long and fascinating history and I am thrilled to hear that it is being shared through the museum’s new talks. It is a wonderful opportunity for residents to learn more about Erewash’s past and for visitors to discover more about Erewash.”
Entry is £3 per person. Refreshments will be available in the museum’s tea room. Members of the Friends of Erewash Museum can attend for free, and there will be the opportunity to sign up to join the Friends group at the talks.
Erewash Museum is located a short walk from Ilkeston’s Market Place. The volunteer-led tea room offers drinks, lunches and sweet treats. Admission is free for both the house and gardens. For more information visit the Facebook page facebook.com/erewashmuseum, call 0115 907 1141, or email museum@erewash.gov.uk.
