Discover the extraordinary at Wakefield Museums and Castles

October–December 2018

What’s On

experiencewakefield.co.uk/museumsandcastles

Wakefield Museums & Castles

Carlton Street, Castleford, WF10 1BB01977 722084

@CastlefordMuseumOfficial @WFMuseums

Castleford is home to a wealth of treasures, fascinating stories and a place for fun, imagination and play. See a special Iron Age chariot, dress up in armour and discover Castleford’s rich Roman heritage. Learn about the early life of famous sculptor Henry Moore, and explore your own creativity in our regular free crafts sessions.

Toddler TuesdaysEvery Tuesday* 10am–11am | Age 2–5

Join us for a lively morning of crafts and singing every Tuesday during term time at Castleford Museum. Get creative together and make new friends. We always have lots of fun for little ones: race a Roman chariot, try on some miners’ clogs for size, or host your own imaginary tea party. No need to book, just drop in.

*Term time only.

Family FunEvery Saturday 11am–3pm | All ages

A fun activity that everyone can join in with! Whether handling museum objects or taking part in a fun craft activity, there’s something different to do every Saturday. What will it be this week? Have a go at our Little Spotters History Hunt and see what you can find in our collections. No need to book, just drop in.

Meet the CuratorThird Thursday of the month 10am–12noon

Do you have a treasured family heirloom that you would like to know more about? Come to see us for some advice if you want to find out more about an object, or if you’d like to donate one. If it tells a story about Castleford, and we don’t already have one, it could become part of the collection. Please note, we do not give valuations.

Top of our wish list: 1968/69 Castleford Challenge Cup Final shirt.

Opening TimesMon, Tue, Thur, Fri 9.30am–5pmSat 9.30am–4pmFREE ENTRY

What’s On

As the weather turns a little colder and the nights draw in, we have plenty to keep you busy through the Autumn and Winter months. Come and explore our special exhibitions and displays, join in a range of fun, creative workshops, talks and tours and discover something extraordinary each time you visit.

Welcome to Wakefield Museums and Castles.

Wakefield Museums & Castles

Castle Garth, Pontefract, WF8 1QHCastle car park - WF8 2JF01977 723440 Pontefractcastle.co.uk

@PontefractCastle @PonteCastle

Tread in the footsteps of kings and queens in the historic grounds of Pontefract Castle. Discover fascinating tales of the castle’s turbulent past and experience history brought to life through fun family events and activities. Pop into the Visitor Centre to explore the History of Pontefract Castle displays, pick up a colourful souvenir in the gift shop or book a ticket for our eerie dungeon tour.

Castle CraftsFirst Wednesday of the month 10am–11am | Ages 2–5

A chance for you and younger members of the family to get creative together. Join us in the Activity Zone to explore and learn about the history of Pontefract Castle through play or crafts; we offer a different activity each month. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy!

Booking essential, visit: wakefield.gov.uk/museumevents

Come and PlayThe wide open space of the castle provides the perfect place to play. Have fun exploring the historic ruins* and imagine the smell of baking bread coming from the bakehouse or the sound of soldiers sharpening their swords ready for battle. Look out for craft sessions in the Activity Zone, or dress up as a character from the past: a fearless princess or a ferocious dragon… who will you be?

*Please note some parts of the Castle ruins are closed for important conservation works.

Dungeon ToursThursday, Saturday and Sunday (additional tours available during school holiday and event days) 1.15pm | Tickets: Adults £3.00 Children 5–16 £1.50

Descend the dark steps*, smell the damp air, and imagine haunting echoes of a time gone by. See the Civil War graffiti carved into the dungeon walls by soldiers held prisoner there and discover the other uses the dungeon has had over the centuries.

*The tour involves descending underground via steep steps with low light levels and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is advisable.

Opening TimesGrounds: Mon–Fri 8.30am–4.30pmSat & Sun 9.30am–4.30pmVisitor Centre: Daily 11am–3pmFREE ENTRY

5 Salter Row, Pontefract, WF8 1BA01977 722740

@PontefractMuseum @WFMuseums

Step inside our beautiful art nouveau building to discover a world where liquorice and voting collide, where we celebrate the captivating stories of Pontefract, its people, and the history of its medieval castle. Find lots of fun for families with regular craft activities, colourful costumes to try on and a vibrant play market to inspire the imagination.

Family FunEvery Saturday 11am–3pm | All ages

Join us for a fun activity session that everyone can take part in! There is something different to do every week, from handling museum objects to taking part in a colourful craft activity. There’s no need to book, just drop in. While you’re visiting, follow a trail around the displays, try on some medieval hats or sport some colourful racing silks and ride a Georgian racing horse.

Meet the CuratorSecond Wednesday of the month 10am–12 noon

Do you have a history mystery hiding in your attic, something that has always been in the family but you don’t know what it does? Bring it, or any objects, to Pontefract Museum to show our curator. If it tells a story about Pontefract, and we don’t already have one, it could become part of the collection.

Top of our wish list: a liquorice worker’s smock.

Reference RoomIf you’d like to delve a little deeper into Pontefract’s fascinating history, then come and spend some time in the museum’s comprehensive reference room. We have a wealth of information, including books, articles, maps and photographs of Pontefract through the years. Don’t miss our current exhibition, Sale of the Century, an enchanting photography archive celebrating 100 years of shopping in Pontefract.

Opening TimesMon–Fri 10am–4.30pmSat 10.30am–4.30pmFREE ENTRY

What’s On

Wakefield Museums & Castles What’s On

Wakefield One, Burton Street, Wakefield, WF1 2DD01924 302104

@WakefieldMuseum @WFMuseums

Discover the weird, the wonderful and the truly amazing! Entertaining interactive exhibitions, fascinating stories and memorable experiences await the whole family at Wakefield Museum. Dress up as character from the past, cook up a storm in the 1950s kitchen, and stand on the back of a ferocious caiman in the extraordinary world of Charles Waterton.

Crafty CrocsFirst Tuesday* of the month 1.15pm–2.15pm | Age 2–5

Come along to Crafty Crocs, our hands-on craft activity session, based on a different theme each month, for you and your toddler to make and create together. Sometimes fun means messy, so please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, just in case!

Booking essential, visit: wakefield.gov.uk/museumevents

*Term time only.

Family FunEvery Saturday 11am–3pm | All ages

Pop into Wakefield Museum and have a go at an enjoyable activity that everyone can join in with! Get hands on with some creative crafts or take the rare opportunity to handle our precious museum objects. There’s something different to do every Saturday. While you’re visiting, try out one of our Digi-trails and see what treasure you can find.

Meet the CuratorFirst Thursday of the month 2pm–4pm

We love a good story at Wakefield Museum. Bring your heirlooms, curios and treasures for a show and tell. If it tells a story about Wakefield, and we don’t already have one, it could become part of the collection. Our curators can also offer advice on looking after your prized possession, although are not able to give valuations.

Top of our wish list: William Sykes Zig Zag football.

Wakefield Museum Young Curators’ ClubThird Saturday of the month10am–11.30am | Ages 8- 13

FREE ENTRY

Do you have an interest in discovering historical facts, trying new crafts and meeting new friends? Join our free Saturday morning club and become a Wakefield Museum Young Curator. Take part in some fantastic behind-the-scenes activities and get up close and personal with our special museum objects.

Places are limited; to find out more. Email: museumslearning@wakefield.gov.uk

Opening TimesMon, Tue, Fri 9am–5pmWed, Thur 9am–7pm Sat 9am–4pmFREE ENTRY

Since the 1920s, over 120,000 historic objects and works of art have been acquired on behalf of those who live, work in or visit the Wakefield district, giving us a fascinating insight into the area’s rich heritage. Our online catalogues are a brilliant way for you to see and experience those objects that are not currently on display. Visit wakefield.gov.uk/events-and-culture/museums/museum-collections

Collections online

Wakefield Museums & Castles What’s On

Exhibitions

History of Pontefract CastlePontefract Castle Open daily 11am–3pm

Discover some of the stories about the long and turbulent past of Pontefract Castle and the people who lived, worked and fought there. See some of the fascinating objects linked with the castle and learn how the once prominent medieval fortress played such an important role in history, earning the title of ‘Key to the North ‘.

From battles, sieges and destruction, to royal infidelity, acts of treason and the production of everyone’s favourite sweet treat, liquorice, you’ll be surprised at what the castle walls have seen.

pontefractcastle.co.uk

Heart of WakefieldThe Wall @ Create Café Throughout 2018/2019

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, The ‘Heart of Wakefield’ project explored and unearthed the hidden stories of Wood Street, a place that has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the city.

The project, led by Faceless Arts, included exhibitions, talks, tours, schools workshops and reminiscence sessions, creating books, lamppost banners and films.

Pop into Create Café, next to Wakefield Museum, to see a beautiful display of silk paintings created by the local community, conveying contemporary depictions of Wood Street’s iconic buildings.

experiencewakefield.co.uk/heartofwakefield

Museum Hub South Elmsall LibraryMonday 9.30am–7pm Tuesday & Friday 9.30am–5pm Wednesday 9.30am–1pm Saturday 10am–1pm

Visit our museum hub, located in South Elmsall Library, to see a range of special objects relating to the South East of the Wakefield district.

The display ‘Out of these depths this village grew’, which is from an inscription on the colliery memorial in South Elmsall, features Anglo-Saxon archaeological finds, civil war coins, mining objects and original scripts by local playwright John Godber.

Spend Spend SpendCastleford MuseumUntil December 2018

Vivian Nicholson became famous in 1961 when she and her husband, Keith, won £152,300 on the Littlewoods football pools – that’s £3 million in today’s money. Viv is arguably one of the most famous people to come from Castleford.

Viv’s lucky pools win rocketed her into a whirlwind world of reporters, TV interviews, magazine articles, stage shows, news headlines and glitzy hotels.

This display invites visitors to follow Viv through the highs and lows of her story and learn about her resilient spirit and determination to live life to the full.

“ I was wild and crazy… but it is my life and I won’t be told how to live it.”

experiencewakefield.co.uk/spendspendspend

Quentin Blake: ‘The Roald Dahl Centenary Portraits’Wakefield MuseumUntil 5 January 2019

To mark the 100th anniversary ofthe birth of Roald Dahl, Sir Quentin Blake created a series of 10 portraits of famous characters from Dahl’s well-loved collection of books. Visitors are invited to imagine that the characters have sat for a formal portrait. The portraits include the Twits, Charlie and the formidable Miss Trunchbull.

The exhibition includes some terrific hands-on activities; look out for family sessions with a special Roald Dahl theme!

The British Library exhibition generously supported by Quentin Blake and Arts Council England.

experiencewakefield.co.uk/quentinblake

Sale of the CenturyPontefract MuseumUntil 13 April 2019

Take a shopping trip down memory lane, from the elegant window dressings of the 1930s to wartime rationing; from the explosion of consumer culture to times of austerity. Sale of the Century is a photographic exhibition exploring one hundred years of shopping in Pontefract, featuring nostalgic images from the museum collections contrasted with contemporary photography.

Fashionable new coffee shops, vibrant gaming stores and chic boutiques have appeared in recent years on Pontefract’s streets, against a backdrop of online shopping giants. Pontefract’s people and its shops are changing… but some things remain universally familiar.

experiencewakefield.co.uk/saleofthecentury

Image Credit: The Grand High Witch © Quentin Blake 2018.

Wakefield Museums & Castles

Date/Time Venue Age Event Type Event

Saturday 20 October 6pm (Departs 7pm)

Pontefract Castle All Drop in activity Lioness Lantern Parade

Saturday 27 October 5pm – 6.30pm

Pontefract Castle Families Drop in activity Hallowscream at the Castle

Saturday 27 October 11am – 2pm

Pontefract Castle Ages 12-16

Bookable Workshop*

Wargaming - Battle of Wakefield

Monday 29 October – Tuesday 30 October 10am – 3pm

Castleford Museum Families Drop in activity Bats, Beakers and Balls

Tuesday 30 October 10am – 11.30am or 1.30pm – 3pm

Wakefield Museum Ages 6-11

Bookable workshop*

Simple Sewing: Making Pumpkin Pillows & Cauldron Cushions

Wednesday 31 October 10am – 3pm

Pontefract Museum Families Drop in activity Pontefract's Sweet History

Wednesday 31 October 7pm – 8pm and 8.30pm – 9.30pm

Pontefract Castle Families Bookable event* Ghost Walks

Wednesday 31 October 11.30am – 2.30pm

Pontefract Castle Families Drop in activity Halloween Craft Activity

Thursday 1 November – Saturday 3 November 10am – 3pm

Castleford Museum Families Drop in activity Bats, Beakers and Balls

Friday 9 November and Friday 16 November7pm - 8pm and 8.30pm – 9.30pm

Pontefract Castle Families Bookable event* Ghost Walks

Saturday 24 November 11am – 2pm

Pontefract Castle Ages 12-16

Bookable workshop*

Wargaming - Battle of Chequerfield

Saturday 1 December – Sunday 2 December 11am – 4pm

Pontefract Castle Families Special Event Christmas at the Castle

Saturday 8 December 10am – 3pm

Pontefract Museum Families Drop in activity Liquorice Santa

Saturday 15 December 10am -3pm

Wakefield Museum Families Drop in activity Father Christmas at Home

October - December

Family Events and Activities

*Most of our events are free and you can just drop in, booking is essential for any listed as bookable workshop, visit: wakefield.gov.uk/museumevents For enquiries call 01924 302700.

Special event Bookable workshop

What’s On

Adult Craft SessionCastleford Museum First Monday of the month (term time only)11am–12noon | Free

Join us at Castleford Museum for free adult taster sessions. Find inspiration in our collections to try a new craft and make new friends!

Find your Passion - Georgian Inspired StationeryWakefield MuseumThursday 18 October5.30pm–7pm | Tickets £6

Inspired by Georgian décor, create a range of beautiful stationery including paper wallets.

Pontefract Helmet Film and Talk Pontefract CastleFriday 19 October11am–3pm | Free

Come and see the Pontefract helmet, meet John Franey – the craftsman who made it – and watch a fascinating film about it. Drop-in event, no need to book.

Have a Dabble – Felt Christmas WreathsPontefract Castle Thurs 8 November 1pm–3.30pm | Tickets £6

Prepare for Christmas and craft a beautiful felt wreath to really make an impression.

Find Your Passion - Fabric Christmas BaublesWakefield Museum Thursday 15 November 5.30pm - 7pm | Tickets £6

Create some festive, Victorian-inspired Christmas baubles to treasure for many years to come, all displayed in a lovely presentation box.

Find Your Passion - Christmas Clay Gift TagsWakefield MuseumThursday 20 December5.30pm–7pm | Tickets £6

Add a little homemade style to your Christmas gifts this year and make original gift tags.

If you’d like to learn something new, develop some practical skills and have a go at making your own beautiful creations, Wakefield Museums and Castles offer an exciting range of adult workshops to get you started.

For more information and to book onto our adult workshops visit: wakefield.gov.uk/museumevents

Adult Workshops

Christmas at the CastlePontefract CastleSaturday 1 December– Sunday 2 December 11am – 4pm

Experience a magical Christmas in a medieval setting. There’s so much to see and do at Pontefract Castle this weekend, including story telling by Santa himself, a range of craft activities, and the opportunity to meet cute Christmas donkeys, hold wise owls and more!

Liquorice SantaPontefract MuseumSaturday 8 December10am – 3pm

Kids will love stepping into Santa’s magical liquorice grotto at Pontefract Museum. Tell sweet Saint Nick what you want for Christmas (providing you’ve been good, of course!) and receive a Christmas gift.

Father Christmas at HomeWakefield MuseumSaturday 15 December10am-3pm

No need to go all the way to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas – he’s right here at Wakefield Museum! Visit Santa as he relaxes in his cosy home, and feel the warmth of festive cheer… after all, it’s nearly Christmas!

Free Festive Fun at Wakefield Museums and Castlesexperiencewakefield.co.uk/museumsandcastles

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