Experience Barnsley Opening

On Thursday I went to the opening of Experience Barnsley. I was really excited to see what our new Barnsley museum was going to be like. Barnsley Town Hall is such a beautiful piece of architecture. Even though I pass the building most days, I still always stare at it. It looks far too grand for my little hometown. I hoped that the modification of this building had been done with great care and consideration. I wasn't sure what the museum would be like, but it exceeded all of my expectations.

The museum's opening was filled with pomp and ceremony. There was music, an animatronic dinosaur, children's carousel, cricket players walking on stilts...what more could you want from an opening! The Lord Mayor and Dickie Bird were also on hand, but they were not alone in cutting the red ribbon to unveil the museum. There was a huge red ribbon emblazoned with the Experience Barnsley emblem, which they invited people to cut and then keep a section of the ribbon. 

There has been a remodelling in front of the museum, which will feature fountains (This part of the building work is not complete). Not everyone is in love with the piece of modern art at the front of the town hall, which has been nicknamed the 'nit comb'. It had not been in situ a day before some bright sparks had attempted to scale its heights. Although it is not necessarily in keeping with the aesthetic of the town hall, I do think it adds something a little different to the town centre.

The museum has been filled with donations from the people of Barnsley, and I think this is what makes it so engaging for all ages. You feel the lovely warm glow of nostalgia from the second you enter the exhibits. Many of the pieces are personal to Barnsley, but there is also a wider narrative of key events in British history such as World Wars, Roman occupation and the Miner's Strikes. As part of my archaeology degree, I did a module on Modern Archaeology, which was fascinating. In this module, we looked at the importance of museums, and what we should preserve for future generations. As I walked round with my 11 week old son, I realised that my own childhood is now history and looked forward to a time when I can show him the artifacts from my youth. Looking at a school shirt that bad been signed by classmates on the last day of school took me back to my own school days. Museums give us chance to reflect on life throughout the ages. 

There was a wonderful atmosphere of community on the day. I enjoyed speaking to other visitors as I wandered round. One gentleman started quizzing me about a photograph of miners, and I was ashamed that my knowledge was scarce. He then went on to tell me many stories as we perused the exhibit. I really think this will be a lovely place for grandparents to take their grandchildren, and to teach them about their heritage. As a Christmas gift, I got my parents a book, available from amazon here, for them to complete for my son about their life, as I regret not sitting and learning more about my grandparent's lives. I cannot wait until my son is old enough to visit the museum with his grandparents.

The museum is free and open 7 days a week. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. There is so much to see that I didn't get chance to see half of it. It includes archives where you can look up your family history, investigate what resided on the land your home now inhabits, etc. There is a gallery holding works of art that have been commissioned and take their inspiration from photographs of old Barnsley residents. I was particularly moved by this part of the museum. There is a section that children will love that has a dress up box, puzzles to complete, and an area where children can dig up artifacts. It also has a blast from my own past - some carousel horses and a car that used to form part of the carousel ride in Barnsley market. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful. I was chatting to one member of staff Michael in the Discovery Centre, who answered my questions and enthused about all of the amazing things to see and experience.

I am in love with so many of the items in the gift shop! It has the standard teddybears, pencils, etc with the Experience Barnsley emblem, but also includes so many reproductions of retro and vintage items, and cute little crafty nick nacks. There is also a large range of books about Yorkshire. Speaking of Yorkshire books,  I have been asked to donate the children's books I have written as part of the Barnsley authors section and would be honoured to be included. (I am currently in the process of improving them, but will be donating once complete - plus excited to be creating a Bones The Dog in Yorkshire adventure!)

I really hope that the museum goes from strength to strength and that we all engage with this wonderful project and help it to evolve as our community evolves.

I urge you to go and visit. What is stopping you!

Rebecca - My Pretty Yorkshire Life

Yorkshire blog : Little Blonde Life

This week I would like to feature the blog Little Blonde Life. It features food, music, fashion and beauty, trips out, product reviews and general musings on life. I challenge anyone to read this blog and not fall in love with Sammie's fun and bubbly view of life. She shares beauty and fashion picks and her daily song playlist.

So here's a bit about Sammie and her blog...

Brief description of yourself and your blog.

My blog is a lifestyle/personal blog, I started my blog as a diary and although I've been working on it for 6 months now it's still my little piece of pride and joy and never finished. I love blogging as it encourages me to do more things and explore new places, as well as introduces me to new places through other blogs. 

How long have you been blogging and why did you start?

I started my blog in January 2013 as a diary for myself. It quickly grew when I discovered more about the world of blogging. 

Favourite place in Yorkshire?

It's a typical one I suppose but I love a good day out by the seaside and love Scarborough. I would say sitting on the top of the cliffs is one of my all time favourite places. 

Favourite place to eat out in Yorkshire?

A new place to Leeds but it has to be Reds True BBQ what recently opened in the city centre. 

Favourite Yorkshire recipe?

My Nana's Rhubarb crumble (top secret of course) 

Do you have any hidden gems in Yorkshire?

It's definitely not a hidden secret but it is a gem so I will have to say Bettys Tea Room. 

Favourite Yorkshire celeb?

It's no secret to anyone I'm a massive fan of a certain boy band and with the majority of the band been from Yorkshire I'm going to say Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik (One Direction). Am I aloud 2?

Favourite Yorkshire saying/slang?

T' e.g. I'm of t shop. (Not really a slang word but it would sound weird pronouncing it any other way)

Please pop by and give Sammie's blog a visit. She's a lover of food. I love her newest posts reviewing places to eat out. Plenty of puddings. A girl after my own heart!

If you would like to be featured on the Yorkshire bloggers blog, please visit the join section and email through your answers to the questions. 

Opening of Handpicked Hall, Leeds.

A few days ago there was a new addition to the Leeds retail scene. Not a big name, or a shiny new mall. Quite the opposite.

Handpicked Hall is home to hundreds of independent retailers, giving them a chance to sell in a city centre at a tiny fraction of the cost (and risk) of setting up on their own.

The shop is in Grand Arcade, Vicar Lane, which even regular Leeds shoppers may well never have passed, unless you frequent the city’s Grand Theatre.

It has to be said it’s not the most glamorous part of town; it has more than its fair share of boarded up shops, despite being just steps from the bustling Headrow.

But the enthusiasm on the eve of the hall’s opening more than made up for any of that.

Most of the sellers I spoke to at the preview evening said it was their first foray into face-to-face selling, having started online. They’re planning to sell there one or two days a week, with most hoping trade will be healthy and that it will make sense for them to be there more often.

As retail units in Leeds go, it’s a pretty big space – 15,000 sq ft - double fronted and spread over two floors. There are four ‘zones’: food and drink, fashion and accessories, art and craft, and vintage.

Because of its size, it seemed a little sparse at the preview night but I understand the Hall will be home to more than 300 sellers.

> Born to Thread

> Louby Lashes Handmade

> There’s also food. This man’s hummus was divine.

> Cali’s Handmade Candle Co. I came away with the Madagascan Honeyed Vanilla and it fills my home with the scent of holidays.

> Njoy Crystal Jewellery

> Gillian Cordingley Ceramics

> Daisy Bakes

Like an idiot, I completely missed the fact there was an upstairs when I was there. That means I missed Our Handmade Collective and Love Me Sew. Plus, the upper floor looks like this. Like I said, I’m an idiot.

(via)

There aren’t many (any?) shops in Leeds city centre that can offer such an overhead view.

It’s fitting: Handpicked Hall is an innovative, ‘blue-sky thinking’ approach to retail; while the entrepreneurs, just starting out, are reaching for the stars and dreaming of where their business may take them.

Handpicked Hall launched last year, first opening in Ripon, then in Skipton earlier this year.

Director Anthony Blackburn said the Leeds opening means they are providing a home for more than 500 Yorkshire retailers.

“I think our success is down to the fact that we’ve made high street trading easily accessible and affordable for so many new businesses,” he said. “We also ‘hand pick’ all of our retailers to ensure we get the right high quality products and passionate people.

“The best part of my job is meeting great people with amazing talent and passion for their products, seeing how thrilled they are to be ‘hand picked’ and giving them the chance to realise their dream of having their own business.

“The space is amazing. To get the opportunity to work with such a beautiful Victorian property and bring it back to life with an eclectic mix of quality independent retailers is so exciting for everyone involved.”

Prices start at £10 a day and you can apply here.

The Hall will be open Wednesdays to Saturdays 11am-6pm and Sundays 11am-4pm.

I hope it will be a success and I’ll certainly be popping in when I’m in Leeds. Will you? Maybe you have been already? What do you think to the ‘Handpicked’ ethos?

 - Angel in the North

FORGE arts and crafts fair.

We went to FORGE arts and craft fair in Sheffield this weekend, organised by Hallam Roses W.I., and brought to my attention by fellow Yorkshire blogger Emma from Oh Gosh blog. They were raising funds for their W.I. and Roundabout charity. There was plenty to see and it was great to support all the local talent. Unfortunately, we didn't get to stay long, as my little baby boy decided to have a little bit of a meltdown. I still managed to find some nice items to take home and grab some cake, as my husband frantically rocked and attempted to soothe my son.

There was such an array of baking that I struggled to decide what to buy. It all looked so delicious. We opted for some lovely moist chocolate cake, some flapjack and some white chocolate and Tobelerone brownie. I must admit I had a little nibble of the flapjack on the ride home, as I couldn't wait, but the rest was devoured with a nice cuppa when I got home. I thought it was only fair to give my hubby half a taste of them. All of the baked goods were so scrummy!

I got this adorable sock monkey (from the Ginger Zoo), a cute panda origami card (from Terrible Lizard) and a deep repair hair mask. (from Lovely cosmetics) The sock monkey and card are for my sister-in-law, but I got the hair mask for me. It has left my hair luxuriously smooth and silky. I cannot tell you how much I love the smell too, as it reminds me of going to the perfumery in Grasse, France, as a little girl. I'm going to investigate some of the other businesses, which I didn't get chance to peruse. A full list of stallholders is available here.

Well done to all involved for putting on such a lovely event!

Rebecca - My Pretty Yorkshire Life.

Weekend What's On

Here's a quick rundown of some of the events happening in Yorkshire this weekend...

Bradford's City Park is going to be hosting the World Curry Festival starting tomorrow. With many restaurants, stalls and stages, there should be plenty to see and do. Chefs will be performing demonstrations. There will be a street food market including a spice souk, many restaurants, musicians, dancers, cookery demonstrations, crafts, fresh produce, Indian teas, children’s activities, growers market, and fashion and beauty from the east. Chefs from Bradford College will be headed Learn to Cook Curry classes. It opens 12 noon till 10 p.m Friday & Saturday and 12 noon till 7 p.m. on Sunday. For further details please visit their website.

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On Sunday 23rd June, at Workstation, Sheffield, there will be a contemporary art, design and craft fair. The fair has been organised by Hallam Roses W.I to raise money for Roundabout and their W.I. I hear their baking is legendary and urge anyone in the area to join them. The fair is on from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. For further details please visit their website.

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On Saturday 22nd June, there is an indoor free music festival spread across many venues throughout Barnsley. It features a lot of local talent. All venues are within walking distance. For further details please visit their website.

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Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade is a held on 22nd June and is created by local people but also welcomes participation of visitors. There are workshops held in the weeks preceding the festival to make costumes and carryable art. THE theme this year myths, mysteries and mayhem.  The parade culminates in a pageant with musuc, movement and giant puppets followed by local bands, dance groups and local food. For further details please visit their website.

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The Haworth Festival runs from the 21st until 30th June. It features music, art, comedy, singing workshop, ZOMBIE RUN?! and much more. They do a ticket for all the events at £18. For further details please visit their website.

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What do you have planned for the weekend?

I'm hoping for a sneaky picnic if the weather isn't too bad. Maybe a rainy day picnic? I'll also be attending FORGE festival on Sunday and if I haven't pushed my luck with the hubby a little trip to the Curry Festival. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Birthday to the National Media Museum

I fully understand that I must be beginning to sound like a stuck record when it comes to my constant babbling recently about the National Media Museum - but it is a really important time at the minute to talk about this place. Not only because of the current threat of closure, but because this weekend marks the 30th birthday of this wonderful institution!

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...