Museum

“The new art collection Chippenham Museum is building is an absolute joy and privilege to be a part of. The new collection celebrates the area of North Wiltshire and its rich art history. It highlights historical art and connections to the area including Bath Academy of Art and celebrates contemporary artists living and working in …

Continue reading “Spotlight On: Sarah Purvey concludes our artist’s blog series”

When furnishing his home in Rowden Hill in 1774, Thomas Arundell went on a shopping spree in Chippenham. Among the pieces he purchased were items associated with the newly fashionable pastime of drinking tea, coffee and chocolate. From Mr. Layton he bought earthenware chocolate and coffee cups and from John Scott a metal tea kettle. …

Continue reading “Worcester porcelain coffee cup and saucer, 1760s”

This painting features Betty Payne and Bill Hopper founders of the Chippenham Starlettes. The group was formed in 1953 as a dancing school for children. Within a year there were thirty members, and their first production “Dick Whittington” was seen at the Neeld Hall, Chippenham at Christmas 1954. Over the years membership grew and the …

Continue reading “Portrait of Betty Payne and Bill Hopper, 1979”

These plaster panels are a rare survivor of the once glamourous Art Deco Cinema that stood on the corner of Timber Street and Gladstone Road, Chippenham. Its construction began in March 1936, and 8 months later the Gaumont Cinema opened to the public on 14th November. The building’s exterior was a 1930’s take on Georgian …

Continue reading “Plaster Panel, Gaumont Cinema, 1936”

William ‘Bill’ Brooker studied at Croydon School of Art, Chelsea School of Art and Goldsmiths College of Art. Between 1949 and 1965 he taught at a number of art schools including the Bath Academy of Art in Corsham. While teaching there Brooker lived in the town, working and recruiting notable artists of the British Post …

Continue reading “Studio Interior with Nude, William Brooker, 1953”

These 24 trade medals, displayed across two velvet-lined, wooden cases, were presented to Saxby and Farmer and its successor companies during the late 19th and early 20th century. Saxby and Framer were early developers of railway signalling. They moved their manufacturing works from Kilburn, London to Chippenham in 1903. This move led to the town …

Continue reading “Trade Medals awarded to Saxby and Farmer Ltd, 1876-1924”

For our final VE Day party blog we consider that tricky party question… What party music mix should I have? Putting together that ultimate party play list can be very tricky. Trying to satisfy everyone’s taste in music is almost impossible these days. This is perhaps the one time that it might have been easier …

Continue reading “Partying 1940s Style: Part 4 – What party music mix should I have?”

Today’s VE Day party blog considers that most important of party questions …. What should I wear? I am sure that we have all at some point let out that plaintive cry “I have nothing to wear”, but with most probably a wardrobe full of clothes, we have to admit that this is not strictly …

Continue reading “Partying 1940s Style: Part 3 – What should I wear?”

For the second of our VE Day party blogs (answering those really important party questions) we consider how you make party food without flour? The current shortages of a few items in our shops has come as a bit of a shock to us all. We are not accustomed to being rationed to one pack …

Continue reading “Partying 1940s Style: Part 2 – How can you make party food without flour?”

After Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces, bringing to an end the hostilities of the Second World War in Europe, Winston Churchill declared 8 May 1945 Victory in Europe Day and made it a national holiday. All across the country people took to the streets to celebrate and in Chippenham the newspaper reported… On Friday …

Continue reading “Partying 1940s Style: Celebrate VE Day in lockdown”