As well as the bloggers event the museum put on a couple of weeks ago, I've spent the last couple of Saturdays down there. Last weeks visit was part of a semi-organised turn out to show support for the museum in wake of the recent revelations about what proposed budget cuts might mean for its future.
There was a grand turn out, but we didn't want our visit to be all doom and gloom so we had a run round the rest of the facilities to see what was on offer.
We had arrived just in time for one of the talks on the Cottingely Fairies photographs - if you don't know this story, in 1917 two young girls took photographs of fairies at the bottom of their garden. These photographs managed to convince many at the time, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, that fairies were real. The photographs are beautiful and have long since been one of my favourite things at the museum, but having them presented to us along with the story by the brilliant Museum Explainer really brought the story to life for the little ones who left the talk convinced of the existence of the fairies.
We had arrived just in time for one of the talks on the Cottingely Fairies photographs - if you don't know this story, in 1917 two young girls took photographs of fairies at the bottom of their garden. These photographs managed to convince many at the time, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, that fairies were real. The photographs are beautiful and have long since been one of my favourite things at the museum, but having them presented to us along with the story by the brilliant Museum Explainer really brought the story to life for the little ones who left the talk convinced of the existence of the fairies.
There was also an animation workship where the kids could have a go at making their own short film. They do these regularly and always go down a treat. As well as these extra activities, we spent a few hours with the museums more permanent attractions - mirror fun in the Magic Factory (I'd love one of those fun-house, make-you-tall-and-thin mirrors at home!), hanging out in a green-screen Moshi Monster land, reading the news - we didn't go the games lounge as we can never get Harry out of there!
We had a wonderful day, as we always do down there, and it just served as a great reminder of what we would be missing if the museum were to close.
But as I said, I've been the last couple of Saturdays, which meant I was once again down there yesterday. To celebrate being open 30 years, the museum were offering free cake - you know how those words are like music to my ears so of course I had to bob down again!
Before my free cake though, I bought some - yup, double cake! We'd decided to get down there early to catch a film (yet another reason why the museum shouldn't close) and I needed some 'breakfast' from the fine array of baked good available at the newly refurbished cafe.
But as I said, I've been the last couple of Saturdays, which meant I was once again down there yesterday. To celebrate being open 30 years, the museum were offering free cake - you know how those words are like music to my ears so of course I had to bob down again!
Before my free cake though, I bought some - yup, double cake! We'd decided to get down there early to catch a film (yet another reason why the museum shouldn't close) and I needed some 'breakfast' from the fine array of baked good available at the newly refurbished cafe.
Before my free cake though, I bought some - yup, double cake! We'd decided to get down there early to catch a film (yet another reason why the museum shouldn't close) and I needed some 'breakfast' from the fine array of baked good available at the newly refurbished cafe.
Seriously, if you are ever in the neighbourhood, even if you don't fancy any of the exhibits - you should definitely call in cake at least - they're brilliant!
After 'Much Ado About Nothing' we wandered back to the foyer to see the presentation of a birthday card, signed by supporters of the museum and were treated to a few more speeches about how necessary the place is to the community . . . and then more cake!
After 'Much Ado About Nothing' we wandered back to the foyer to see the presentation of a birthday card, signed by supporters of the museum and were treated to a few more speeches about how necessary the place is to the community . . . and then more cake!
I'm trying to not get too preachy on the importance of museums, or get too involved in the way the museum links to other important Bradford institutions and how it would affect them if it closed, and I'm trying really hard to not rant at the mythical North/South divide which means it's ok to axe one of our museums because we presumably don't deserve or understand 'culture' in the North and everything good in the country should be in London where it 'belongs'. I'm trying to do those things, but it appears I'm rambling instead so I shall wrap this up with the point I am trying to make:
The National Media Museum is important - it's important to me, to my children. It's important to Bradford, and to the North. If it closes I'll be devastated both on a personal level and for all the people that it will affect either directly (the dedicated staff who will lose their jobs, for instance) or indirectly (the children of Bradford who will not grow up with this place as their second home, like it was for me). All I can do is hope and ramble on about it - so, if you haven't already, it would mean the world to me if you could sign this petition in support of the museum - here.
If you are ever in Bradford the place is well worth a visit - you should have a look around now, while you can!
The National Media Museum is important - it's important to me, to my children. It's important to Bradford, and to the North. If it closes I'll be devastated both on a personal level and for all the people that it will affect either directly (the dedicated staff who will lose their jobs, for instance) or indirectly (the children of Bradford who will not grow up with this place as their second home, like it was for me). All I can do is hope and ramble on about it - so, if you haven't already, it would mean the world to me if you could sign this petition in support of the museum - here.
If you are ever in Bradford the place is well worth a visit - you should have a look around now, while you can!
Kel - Kel Loves...
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