What’s On at Chippenham Museum

Autumn 2019 Events Programme

Download our Museum Events Programme to see What’s On at Chippenham Museum and Neeld Community & Arts Centre from September to December 2019.

Current Exhibition

Strange & Wonderful Beings: The Work of Clifford & Rosemary Ellis

Saturday 5 October – Saturday 18 January 

This exhibition celebrates the work of Clifford and Rosemary Ellis. From tube posters to wartime sketches, explore the artistic output of this fascinating design duo and their legacy at the Bath Academy of Art in Corsham. Displayed alongside these will be works by Howard Hodgkin, William Scott and the other famous lecturers who taught at the school.

The exhibition will include loans from the Art and Design Collection of Bath Spa University and the Ellis Family Archive that was given to the Victoria Art Gallery in 2016 is shared with the Bath Record Office.

A programme of themed half-term family activities are running alongside this exhibition, more details coming soon.

Find out more on our Collections & Exhibitions page

More Events

The Obscure Eye presents…

18 October – 11 January 2020

The Obscure Eye presents for your delight and entertainment; drawings, costumes and cabinets of curiosities.

A fanciful exploration of circus and equally its audience. A story of the Ringmaster, a Stag Beetle and his human wife, their circus family and performing fleas. Enter at your own risk, there are over 120 fleas in this exhibition, some of them alive and direct descendants of the original circus.

Museum Shop Sunday: Meet the Makers

Saturday 1 December, 10am – 4pm

Opening especially for Museum Shop Sunday on 1^st December, meet a number of the local makers stocked in the shop at Chippenham Museum.  Enjoy 10% off items by the makers featured and 20% off all books, with titles including Chippenham Street Names and Town United. Look no further for special gifts with a local twist that also support creative businesses in the Chippenham area.

Meet the Makers:

10am – 11am: Barking Hen Jewellery

Barking Hen Jewellery is a Chippenham based business developed by jewellery designer Tamara. With over 20 years of experience, Tamara uses traditional silver smith techniques partnered with a flair for the unusual to create designs inspired by the British countryside. A number of silver and copper Barking Hen pieces are available in the Museum Shop including seasonal Robin designs. Tamara is holding a Silver & Copper Pendant Making Workshop at the museum on 7 March 2020, with tickets available from the museum’s website.

11am – 12pm: Hazel & Blue Candles

New for Christmas 2019, the Museum Shop is stocking Hazel & Blue’s Winter Spice Soy Candle Making Kits from 1^st December alongside reed diffusers and candles. Founded in Corsham by Becky Avery, Hazel & Blue’s vegan, environmentally friendly products are handmade with natural ingredients sourced within the UK. Becky is holding a Candle Making workshop at the museum on Saturday 8^th February, with tickets available from the museum’s website.

12pm – 1pm: Chris Dunn Illustration

A freelance illustrator since 2008, Calne based Chris Dunn’s unique and detailed watercolour illustrations feature playful scenes of animal whimsy. The Museum Shop stocks ‘Paisley Rabbit and the Tree House Contest’, a book for ages 6 – 10 illustrated by Chris, alongside a Paisley Rabbit 2020 Calendar and packs of Christmas Cards.

1pm – 2pm: Ian Full Woodturning

The Museum Shop stocks hand-turned pens and key-rings produced by Chippenham based craftsperson Ian Full. Ian’s work features a variety of locally sourced woods (including from a tree behind the museum!) and each piece is unique.

2pm – 3pm: Kate Davies Illustration

Kate is a watercolour artist based in Colerne who, alongside commissions for publications, paints local scenes populated with animal characters including Bath, Lacock and Castle Combe. A number of Kate’s prints and cards, including Christmas designs, are available in the Museum Shop.

Saxon Twelfth Night Celebration

Saturday 4 January, 10.30am – 3pm

Join Chippenham Museum to celebrate all things Saxon. Discover Chippenham’s Royal Saxon connections and the significance of Twelfth Night 878AD in King Alfred the Great’s victory over the Vikings.

With local author Geoff Hill, Saxon re-enactors and much more! All ages welcome.

Free entry, drop in

Adult Creative Workshops

Chippenham Museum is starting a new programme of adult workshops, with a variety of skills available to try and enjoy each month from Autumn 2019 to Spring 2020. No experience is necessary and refreshments are provided. Please note tickets are non-refundable.

Festive Glass Stars with Mary Quarmby

Saturday 7 December starting at 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm or 3pm

This event is now fully booked

Join Chippenham based glass artist Mary Quarmby to make your own fused glass star decoration at these relaxed workshops at Chippenham Museum.  The workshops are 1 ¼ hours, with four taking place throughout the day on Saturday 7 December.

The stars will be fired in Mary’s studio and available to collect from the museum soon after, ready to hang on your Christmas tree or give as gifts.

Chippenham based contemporary glass artist Mary Quarmby uses fusing and slumping to complement traditional methods of glassworking, creating unique vibrant works.

A Hoop with a View with Fi Redmond

Saturday 11 January 1.30pm – 4.30pm

£30, booking essential. Click here to book

Use hand stitch and embroidery threads to create a fabric collage in a hoop of your favourite view at this adult creative workshop with local artist Fi Redmond. Bring photos or sketches of your chosen view – the Wiltshire Downs, the Cornish coast or your own garden, perhaps? All materials are provided and no special skills are required.

Kington Langley textile artist Fi Redmond exhibits through the Peacock Arts Trail and created the commemorative Chippenham Tapestry on the Centenary of the Armistice in 2018.

Soy Scented Candle Making with Hazel & Blue

Saturday 8 February 11am – 12.30pm

£35 booking essential. Click here to book

Make your own essential oil soy scented candle with Hazel & Blue, taking you step-by-step through the candle making process and techniques.

During this adult creative workshop you will make your own candle to take home with you, having mixed and poured the soy wax and chosen the essential oils to blend yourself. Learning the different types of fragrances, you will blend your own candle scent using Hazel & Blue’s nature inspired essential oils.

Hazel & Blue creator Becky Avery is inspired by fresh flowers, botanicals, woods and spices and creates uplifting, warm and cosy scents for the home. Made with natural, eco-friendly ingredients sourced within the UK, Corsham based Hazel & Blue’s sustainable products are ethical, vegan and eco-friendly with 100% recyclable packaging. A range of Hazel & Blue products are available to buy in the Museum Shop.

Silver & Copper Pendant Making with Barking Hen Jewellery

Saturday 7 March 10am – 3pm

£75 booking essential. Click here to book

Join Chippenham based designer Barking Hen Jewellery for a five hour workshop for adults teaching traditional silver smithing techniques to make your very own silver and copper pendant. You will be taught how to design, saw (pierce), file and shape, silver solder and texture or polish your pendant with the option to add a personalised initial or words.

This workshop is designed for beginners and is taught in a small group. All materials, tools and equipment are provided including a silver chain. Refreshments will be available throughout the day; please do bring a packed lunch.

Barking Hen Jewellery is a Chippenham based business developed by jewellery designer Tamara. With over 20 years of experience, Tamara uses traditional silver smith techniques partnered with a flair for the unusual to create designs inspired by the British countryside. A number of Barking Hen pieces are available in the shop at Chippenham Museum.

Lace Making with For the Love of Lace

Saturday 4 April 1.30pm – 4.30pm

£18, booking essential. Click here to book

Try your hand at the age old craft of lacemaking. During this three hour adult creative workshop  you will be taught one traditional stitch, using modern materials and patterns. You will be taking home something a little different!

Local maker Teresa Wheeler shares her enthusiasm for lace making through demonstrations and shows as ‘For the Love of Lace’ and is a member of The Lace Guild and The Lace Society. Inspired as a child watching lacemaking at the Royal Bath & West Show, Teresa enjoys using antique and vintage lace tools to keep the art of lacemaking alive and inspire others.

Regular Activities

Discovery Time

Every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays), 10.15am-12.00noon, at the museum

£1.50 per child

Messy play for under 5s. Develop their creative side with crafts, paints, toys, sandpit and more!

Please note this session takes place upstairs (with lift access) in the museum’s Education Room with buggy parking downstairs in the museum.

Crafty Café

Mondays 2pm – 3.30pm, fortnightly. Upcoming dates:  2 and 16 December, 13 and 27 January. 

Free entry, no need to book just drop in

Grab your needlework or knitting and join us every other Monday for an afternoon of craft, coffee and conversation at Chippenham Museum. A chance to talk with other crafters, swap patterns, share skills and get advice if you are stuck on a stitch!  A fun and social way to share your hobby and maybe learn a new one?