Tag Archives: Epping Forest District Council

Would you like to help shape the future work of Epping Forest District Museum?

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As part of the ground-breaking ‘No Borders’ project Epping Forest District Museum is looking for local residents to take part in two new museum focus groups this summer. The aim of these groups is to involve the local community in ensuring the work of the museum is accessible and relevant to all local people.

The No Borders project

‘No Borders’s is a partnership project between Epping Forest District Museum and two other local museums – Chelmsford Museum in Essex and Lowewood Museum in Hertfordshire. Supported by funding from Arts Council England, this project aims to support the three museums to develop sustainable, inspiring services for the future. Attracting new and more diverse audiences and increasing accessibility for all is an important part of this work. Commercial operations are being expanded, including retail, catering event services and venue hire. It is also planned for the museums to establish new, charitable Development Foundations to undertake fundraising in support of their work the museums.

The Focus Groups

One focus group will look at issues surrounding access to the museum’s services, including physical, sensory and intellectual access. If you are a resident of Epping Forest District living with health or impairment related matters or represent or work with residents with additional access needs and would like to help us improve access for all please do get in touch.

The second focus group is looking to bring together local residents who define themselves as being of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background. This focus group will help the museum ensure its future exhibition and events programming and the objects collected reflect the diversity of local residents.

Both focus groups will take place at Epping Forest District Museum and will last 2 hours. Each focus group will be limited to 10 people. Before the meeting participants will be sent the current museum events programme and pre-visit information to review. This should not take more than 30 minutes. All participants will receive a £15 ‘Love2Shop’ voucher to thank them for their time.

Step-free access is available throughout the museum with a lift to the first and second floors. Toilets are located on the ground floor and second floor. A unisex accessible toilet is available on the ground floor.

There is a public car park 2 minutes’ walk from the museum. If you require disabled parking please contact us in advance by calling 01992 716882.

To find out more or to register your interest in taking part in the focus groups please contact the museum by emailing museum@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or calling 01992 716882. Please let us know which focus group you would like to attend, your preferred contact method and usual availability.

Latest Touring Exhibition – Design Icons through the 1960s, 70s and 80s

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Gameboy

Taking you on a journey from the mischievous Mary Quant Fashions to the ground-breaking Nintendo Gameboy, Design Icons explores some of the most recognisable designs of the twentieth century. The third exhibition in a series of six touring exhibitions, Design Icons was launched with great success at the Time Machine Gallery in Harlow on Friday 22nd August.

Albie, Ian Beckett, Hannah and Tony Boyce

Albie, Ian Beckett, Hannah and Tony Boyce

Officially opened by the Chairman of Harlow Council, Cllr Ian Beckett and the Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr Tony Boyce, guests were able to try a selection of 1970s party food (lots of cheese and pineapple hedgehogs!) and experience the music of the three decades from the fantastic live band, The Established.

Design Icons has been curated by two 3D Design students from Herts Regional College as part of Epping Forest District Museum’s Young Curators Programme. Starting in January 2014, Hannah Turner and Albie Saunders worked voluntarily on the exhibition, designing and producing the exhibition from start to finish. The launch night celebrated their hard work and their imaginative creativity.

Original MK1 Raleigh Chopper from Nottingham City Museums and Galleries

Original MK1 Raleigh Chopper from Nottingham City Museums and Galleries

Design Icons is now on display at the Time Machine Gallery until the 7th October. Fun for everyone, the exhibition is packed full of hands-on games and activities. Listen to the top hits of the 1980s, try your hand at playing Mario on an original Gameboy and admire the fashions of the three decades. The exhibition showcases collections from around the East of England and features a 1960s customised Mod Parka from Lowewood Museum and an original MK1 Raleigh Chopper from Nottingham City Museums and Galleries.

For opening times take a look at the Science Alive website – http://www.science-alive.co.uk/

This exhibition is a touring exhibition produced by Epping Forest District Museum and funded by Arts Council England. The museum’s Young Curators programme has been funded by ROH Bridge.

Design Icons: Through the 1960s, 70s and 80s is available to hire, free of charge, to any venue in the East of England. If you are interested in hiring this exhibition or would like to ask a question then please get in touch:
Email – museum@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Tel – 01992 716 882

Our sister site – Lowewood Museum

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Have you heard of Lowewood Museum in Hoddesdon?

In 2012 Epping Forest District Council entered into a five year partnership with Broxbourne Council to run Lowewood Museum in Hoddesdon. Under this partnership, Broxbourne Council continue to own and maintain the Grade II listed building which houses Lowewood Museum, with staff from Epping Forest District Museum managing the site.

PAJ-40

Lowewood Museum and the building in which it lives has a great history. The site where the museum stands today has been occupied since the 1570s, when a property known as The Harvey’s stood there. Most of today’s building dates from the 1750s, and was built by Hugh Hughes, a pharmacist by profession. It is thought that parts of the original property may have been incorporated into the new Georgian building built by Hughes.

In 1835 the house was bought by John Warner, a local Quaker and brass founder, and from then on was owned by the Warner family for over 100 years.
In 1935 Lowewood was sold and bought by Mr Douglas Taylor. A year later, Taylor sold the property to the town council, to be used as a library and museum in memory of his late wife.

Lowewood House c.1950s

The library was transferred to a building in Hoddesdon’s High Street in the 1970s. The museum remains a much loved part of the local community, revealing the history of the Borough of Broxbourne from the earliest inhabitants to the present.

Lowewood Museum runs a fantastic programme of events and activities. Along with great exhibition and education programmes, the Museum hosts a number of special events during the year, as well as family activities, specialist study days, community events and much more.

Lowewood Museum

If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Museum (free entry) you can find out more about it here: http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/lowewoodmuseum

Lowewood Museum is open Wednesday to Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 10am – 5pm.