What’s On at Chippenham Museum

Museum Photoclub Half Term Takeover!

Saturday 23 – Saturday 30 October

Free entry, 10am – 4pm everyday except Sunday

This half term join Chippenham Museum’s Photoclub for some free photo fun.

Exhibition ‘Our Photo Journey’

The club’s autumn photographic exhibition and first display together as a group.

Museum Trail

Take part in the club’s photographic challenge to see if you can find their favorite objects around the museum.

Free Photography Workshop: Around the Museum

Wednesday 27 October, 10.30am – 12pm, booking essential here

During the workshop, you will learn how to use your device with confidence. All cameras are welcome, including mobile phones. You will get a chance to use different settings and creative techniques. Take part in a photography challenge hunting around the museum for the best objects to photograph.

Free Photography Workshop: Museum Objects

Wednesday 27 October, 1.30pm – 3.30pm, booking essential here

Join us as we handle and photograph a collection of museum objects. Learn about their history and how to photograph the object in a professional setting. You will get a chance to use a lightbox and work with lighting. All cameras are welcome, including mobile phones

The museum’s afterschool Photoclub for ages 11 – 17 meets on Wednesdays in term-time 4.30 – 5.30, £6 per session. The club aims to improve self-expression and motivation, focusing on activities to help mental health and wellbeing while capturing great images and having fun. Contact the museum to join a free trial session.

Museum Lates

Thursdays:  4 November, 9 December, 13 January 

Free, drop in until 7pm

Visit Chippenham Museum after work, or on your way to dinner, at these special late openings. Meet your friends here to enjoy our exhibitions and discover our collection of over 35,000 objects.

Museum Talks

Unity and Loyalty Talk & Book Launch: The Story of Chippenham’s Red Cross Hospital

Friday 12 November, 4pm – 5.30pm

At Chippenham Town Hall

£8 / £6 Friends of Chippenham Museum (discount code emailed to members)

Book here

During the First World War, Chippenham Town Hall and The Neeld were transformed to care for the wounded returning from the battlefields. This talk takes place 106 years on, and in the very room, where soldiers first arrived to be treated in November 1915.

Join Ray Alder, Author of new book ‘Unity and Loyalty: The Story of Chippenham’s Red Cross Hospital’, as he discusses his research and discoveries about this important time in Chippenham’s history.

Tickets include a complimentary hot drink and, following the talk, Ray will be signing copies with a special event price. Perfect as a personalised Christmas gift with a local touch and also available from Chippenham Museum and the museum’s online shop.

Creative Workshops for Adults.

A different skill or craft every month with a selection of local artists and makers. Please note these workshops are for ages 18+ and tickets are non-refundable unless the event is postponed or cancelled.

Monotype Printmaking

Saturday 20 November, 1.30pm – 4.30pm 

£18, book here

Explore the monotype printmaking process with local artist Sam Heath. This liberating medium combines painting, drawing and printmaking techniques. During this workshop you will be introduced to various approaches for capturing form, texture and atmosphere. This workshop takes place at the same time as Sam’s exhibition ‘The Three Crowns’ at Chippenham Museum, open from 4 – 30 November.

This session will start with a short demonstration of the monotype process. We will then experiment with various techniques including with a small press. The monotype process is a great introduction to printmaking and perfect for complete beginners. All materials provided but please bring some drawings, objects or photographs to work from.

Festive Glass Stars

Saturday 4 December, 10 – 11.15 / 11.30- 12.45 / 1.30 – 2.45 / 3 – 4.15

£11, book here

Join Chippenham based glass artist Mary Quarmby to make your own fused glass star decoration with these relaxed workshops at Chippenham Museum.  The workshops are 1 ¼ hours, with four taking place throughout the day. A range of Mary’s work can also be found in the museum shop.

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.

No experience is necessary and festive refreshments are included.

Town Walks

Our free Town Walks are now complete for this year, thank you to all that joined us. We will be launching new dates for Spring 2022.

Regular Activities for children & families

Discovery Time

Will be resumed as soon as possible. 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.

Museum Photo Club

Wednesdays, 4.30pm – 5.30pm

£6 per session, ages 11 – 17, booked termly with the museum

In association with The Photo Club, this after school club in the setting of the museum galleries runs photography projects for young people to learn new skills and be creative. The club aims to improve self-expression and motivation, focusing on activities to help mental health and wellbeing while capturing great images and having fun.

West Wiltshire Young Archeologists’ Club

Saturdays once a month, 10.30am – 12.30pm 

To find out about membership, contact the museum.

West Wiltshire YAC is open to everyone aged 8–16 years. YAC clubs get involved in all sorts of activities, including visiting and investigating archaeological sites and historic places, trying out traditional crafts, taking part in excavations, and lots more.

Regular Activities for adults

Crafty Café

Mondays 2pm – 3.30pm, fortnightly

Upcoming dates: 4 Oct,  18 Oct, 1 Nov, 15 Nov, 29 Nov

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?