A new season at the Museum of East Anglian Life
The Museum of East Anglian Life opens its doors for the 2009 season on Mother's Day, Sunday 22 March with its traditional free Stowmarket Day. It provides the opportunity for visitors to see what's new around the museum and take advantage of a 25% discount on the normal price of a museum season ticket. Visitors will see historic traction engines in steam, demonstrations of 19th century printing, the working Alton water mill and kids activities such as badge making and face painting.
Despite the Recession 2008 proved to be a successful year at the museum. Its events programme remained popular with the Beer Festival in June awash with merry visitors. New facilities such as story telling area were opened and to cap it all plans to restore Abbot's Hall were given a boost with £1.7m earmarked by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The museum continues to be recognised with a number of awards. At the recent Suffolk Tourism Awards it was acclaimed as best attraction and its innovative Social Enterprise which provides training for disabled people and long-term unemployed won a National Heritage Award for Excellence.
A number of exciting new events are planned for 2009. In association with Dance East the museum is hosting The Spiegel Tent in July. Here in this remarkable tent constructed of wood and canvas and decorated with mirrors and stained glass, visitors will be able to watch and take part in a wide range of dance activity. In late May the museum is hosting The Good Life festival, although don't expect to see Felicity Kendal! Director Tony Butler explains, "having walked round our gardens many of our visitors have become inspired to 'grow their own'. We thought that we could expand on the self sufficiency idea and now we've got organisations as varied as cookery groups, local small holders and even a belly dancing club to show people how simple pleasures can contribute to our well-being."
The museum also promotes local food through its popular bistro and delicatessen. It hopes to encourage people to shop locally and live healthier lives. There will also be a food trail for young people around the museum examining the journey of food from the soil to the plate.
The Stowmarket Free Day on 22 March, should be the perfect, 'recession busting' venue for Mother's Day. Tony Butler adds "Even on days when admission is not free we think the museum is good value for money with 75 acres of countryside, 15 historic buildings live demonstrations and fascinating displays of the old East Anglia to see. Our single admission and group rates prices have been the same for 5 years and our season ticket prices are at 2008 level.
The museum is open from 22 March to 31 October 10-5 Mon-Sat 11-5 Sun.
For details of admission prices contact the Museum on 01449 612229 or check the website on www.eastanglianlife.org.uk
