Inspiring young writers through 400-year-old biographies and anonymous Victorians
2026 marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of John Aubrey: local biographer, archaeologist, scientist and oral historian. This summer, Chippenham Museum will be celebrating his wide-ranging pursuits and scientific …
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25 Years of the Millennium Wall
In March 1999, a feasibility study was undertaken to explore the idea of a project involving local schools, to create a piece of public art to mark the millennium. In …
Threads: Spilling the Tee
In the next in our series of blogs as part of our ‘threads’ year dedicated to clothing, memory and identity, we have asked our Young Curators Group to explore the …
Threads: Recreating a 25 year old project
In 2000 the ‘As We See It’ project engaged three young people to produce a photographic record of Chippenham. Their photographs featured people from the town, and captured a moment …
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Threads: Twelfth Night 2025
If you follow Chippenham Museum on social media, you will know that we have just marked the twelve days of Christmas with some great images from the collection. This led …
Work Experience at Chippenham Museum
As schools are returning for a new year, we thought we would take the opportunity to look back and reflect for a moment on the end of the last academic …
Art in Exile: Making Spaces – Part One
In October Chippenham Museum began a new project working with Ukrainian families, alongside a local artist, to produce a new artwork exploring Chippenham and the surrounding area as a place …
Art in Exile: The Work of Charles Wellens – Part Three
In this third blog on Charles Wellens we look at the conservation work the painting had to undergo before it could go on display. Before conservation, the painting was yellow …
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Art in Exile: The Work of Charles Wellens – Part Two
In this second blog on Charles Wellens, we look at the painting itself. It was produced by Wellens in 1915 when he lived in Chippenham. It shows Common Slip and …
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Art in Exile: The Work of Charles Wellens – Part One
As well as hosting an exhibition of the work of Peter Potworowski, in 2023 Chippenham Museum also received an ‘On Display!’ grant from South West Museum Development, with thanks to …
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Art in Exile: introducing our latest project ‘Making Spaces’
Welcome to our new series of blogs discussing Chippenham Museum’s Making Spaces project. Launched in October the project explores Chippenham and the surrounding area as a place of refuge. The …
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Parish News: Museum Volunteer Diane Lakin explores the history of the Parish of Box
In the second of our Parish News bulletins we focus on the parish of Box incorporating the village of Box and the settlements of Alcombe, Ashley, Box Hill, Chapel Plaister, …
Pride: Design Duo Barron and Larcher
In this second blog to celebrate Chippenham Pride 2023, we’re looking at an interwar LGBTQIA+ design duo, whose work features in our latest exhibition ‘Chippenham Between the Wars’. The decades …
Pride: Victor Cazalet & the Glamour Boys
To celebrate Chippenham Pride 2023 we’re sharing some of the inspirational stories of influential LGBTQIA+ figures from our latest exhibition ‘Chippenham Between the Wars’, exploring life in the town in …
Collections & The Climate Crisis: Art & The Environment
Being inundated with scientific statistics and news reports about climate change can be overwhelming and difficult to comprehend. In this blog we look at how artworks in our collection show …
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Collections & The Climate Crisis: Single-Use Plastic
The explosion of single-use plastics has caused a range of environmental issues, from the carbon emissions caused in extracting crude oil and natural gas to produce plastics, to the amount …
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Collections & The Climate Crisis: Fast Fashion
From ‘made to measure’ to ‘made in Bangladesh’ – In our latest blog we discover what a Burton’s jacket, shirt and jumper from our collection can reveal about the damaging …
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Museum Collections & The Climate Crisis
In a new series of blogs to mark the start of the United Nations COP27 Climate Negotiations, you can discover how Chippenham Museum has been exploring the climate crisis locally, …
Parish News: a new blog series exploring the parishes around Chippenham
Chippenham Museum collects and records not only stories about the town of Chippenham, but the 26 parishes that surround it as well. In this new blog series we will be …
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Surface/Vessel: Insights into the Modern and Contemporary Art Collection
Earlier this year, the Barbican in London hosted the exhibition Postwar Modern: New Art in Britain 1945-1965 (you can find out more about it here ), which included a room …
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Behind the Scenes – Work Experience at the Museum
Chippenham Museum has been delighted to welcome back work experience students this year after the last tumultuous two years. It is a great opportunity to engage with young people and for …
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Glorious Gloves! The Latest Addition to the Museum Collection
Costume and textile items from the 17th century are already extremely rare, but what makes these gloves even more special is their possible link to an important local family, the …
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Guest Blog: work experience student William shares his research into a 200 year old sword
During my week of work experience at Chippenham Museum I was able to take on many tasks and attempt many activities, one of these was researching a pattern 1796 light …
Guest Blog: Mark Golder for LGBTQ+ History Month
Mark Golder reflects on LGBT+ themes within our current exhibition ‘Wiltshire on Paper: Post-War Prints From the Bath Academy of Art’, open until 2 April. This exhibition has been made …
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Ordinary Objects with Extraordinary Stories
In the UK, February is LGBT+ history month. Queer stories have often been overlooked or marginalised, so in this blog we take a look at the stories behind everyday objects in our collection that reveal the lives and experiences of some of the LGBTQ+ community both past and present.
The Importance of Twelfth Night for the History of our Town
Today Christmas is mainly celebrated on 25 December, however historically this was seen as the beginning of the festive period, with 12 days of feasting and celebrating, concluding on Twelfth …
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Spotlight On: Chloe Yandell
I first came to Bath in 1996 to study a BA (Hons) in Conceptional Fine Art at Bath College of Higher Education which during my time changed to Bath Spa University College. I instantly fell in love with Bath and its surrounding areas and have stayed ever since. I further gained a PGCE in Secondary Art and Design.
Spotlight On: Sheona Beaumont
I’m Sheona Beaumont, and I live in Sherston near Malmesbury. My practice is in photography and writing, straddling both creative and academic work. I love photography history, and the way that its technology is a layered thing – so as well as taking pictures, I work with found images and interlace them digitally in various ways. I also write about photography’s connections with faith and religion, as seeing has so many elements of believing.
Spotlight On: Amy-Jane Blackhall
“My name is Amy-Jane Blackhall and I have a print studio located just outside of Corsham called Ink on Paper Press. I work in a variety of processes, but mostly print based. I would say my work tends to lean towards abstraction.” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Jane Turner
“The local and the seasonal inform my projects and I use a documentary style. My work considers the balance between nature and culture.” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.
Spotlight On: Anna Gillespie
“I am a figurative sculptor working in a variety of materials including plaster, wax, bronze and found objects. I have a studio at the old Slaughterford paper mill and live nearby outside the village of Colerne.” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Ron George
“My name is Ron. George. I am a retired academic who has led art schools in Universities throughout my career. I now have a studio in Reybridge near Lacock where I work every day.” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Tristan Reid
Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’. The second in a …
Spotlight On: Nina Roberts
“My name is Nina Roberts and I work in three disciplines. I work in oils and I tend to use about five colours, I keep my palette very limited.” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Sam Heath
“My name is Sam Heath and I’m based in Bath. I make drawings, paintings and prints of the same familiar subjects: friends and family, fields near where I live, my local pub. ” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Jane Wheeler
Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’. The second in a …
Spotlight On: Penny Grist
“I live in a village just outside Bath and work at Bath Spa University in the School of Art and Design. I’m a printmaker and painter.” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Jan Byrne
My name is Jan Byrne, I live in Bath and I have a studio at my home, where I work mainly in ceramics making fine art pieces. Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Alun Crockford
“I am Alun Crockford, a fine art photographer based in Corsham. I primarily work with large format film cameras and all the paraphernalia that goes with it.” Our Spotlight On blog series introduces thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Judith Beeby
“My name is Judith Beeby and I live in Lea but work in a studio at Stockham Marsh Workshops in Foxham.” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Spotlight On: Philippa MacArthur
“I’m Phillipa MacArthur and I live and work in Corsham. I work here in my studio, which is very small but looks out onto the garden, and my main medium is ceramic.” Our Spotlight On blogs and vlogs introduce thirteen of the artists featured in exhibition ‘Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum’.Â
Chippenham Museum Launches Online Exhibition & Events
Chippenham Museum’s latest exhibition ‘Loose Threads: The Don Little Collection X Bath Textile Artists’ is now open to visit on Chippenham Town Council’s website here. The exhibition was due to …
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Lockdown Inspiration with Chippenham Museum
As we find ourselves in lockdown at the start of 2021, lets look to our growing Covid Collection for ideas to stay safe, well and entertained. Since the start of …
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The Story of Twelfth Night 878AD
This time last year we were preparing for our annual Twelfth Night event. With the help of local author Geoff Hill and some inspiring re-enactors we were getting ready to …
Museum Makers Gift Guide
​ Here at Chippenham Museum we support a wide variety of local artists and makers in our shop. As we look to shop local and support those around us in …
Spotlight On: Sarah Purvey concludes our artist’s blog series
“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 …
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Partying 1940s Style: Part 4 – What party music mix should I have?
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 …
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Partying 1940s Style: Part 3 – What should I wear?
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 …
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Partying 1940s Style: Part 2 – How can you make party food without flour?
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 …
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Partying 1940s Style: Celebrate VE Day in lockdown
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 …
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Night Club Nostalgia: impact of the Goldiggers Project
In 1981 Goldiggers night club opened in the former Gaumont Cinema building in Timber Street. It became the premier night club for the region and an important venue in the …
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Happy Birthday to us! 20 years of Chippenham Museum
“It started with a bang, but no one thought it would last. Chippenham just doesn’t want a museum, they said. Public interest, it was forecast, would fade and die. But …
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Guest Blog: Student reflects on placement
For the past few months the Chippenham Museum team have been joined by Bath Spa University student Rachel Dacey for her placement. Studying for a Master’s degree in Heritage Management, …
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Our Work Experience with Chippenham Museum
Arthur and Lawrisa from Hardenhuish School completed their Year 10 Work Experience with the team at Chippenham Museum this week. During their time at the museum the students completed a …
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My Work Experience with Chippenham Town Council
Harry from Sheldon School has joined Chippenham Town Council this week to complete his Year 10 Work Experience, working with the teams at both Chippenham Museum and The Neeld Community …
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Guest Blog: Doreen Heaton and Peter Potworowski
Doreen Heaton was a young art school student at the Bath Academy of Art , Corsham when she met and fell in love with the charismatic Polish painter, Peter Potworowski. …
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Guest blog: Beth Thomas Reviews Artspace Exhibition
I had the pleasure of visiting Chippenham Museum recently and was able to catch the Sarah Purvey retrospective ‘A Decade On‘. This is part of a programme of short exhibitions …
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Guest Blog: Timothy Stoneham ARTSPACE blog
Where did you grow up? I was born in Malmesbury and grew up surrounded by the countryside and farming, which is where I gain most of my influences. How did …
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Guest blog: Jenny Grewal discusses how she became a photographer
Hi, my name is Jenny, and I am a wildlife and nature photographer based in Chippenham, Wiltshire (I am also a vet in my spare time!). I am delighted to …
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Guest blog: Millie Weller talks about her Work Placement
I am a student from Wiltshire College studying Travel & Tourism at the Chippenham campus. My course includes researching and learning about the Tourism Industry in terms of its growth, …
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