Museum of East Anglian Life
A great family day out in Suffolk

According to archives and a copy of an old ordinance survey map, the land on the Combs Lane bank of the river was previously used to grow Osiers, a type of willow, for basket making. This fact is endorsed by the thriving basket making workshop known to have been in the nearby village of Onehouse. Both the workshop and the Osier bed were established by the Mullins family in the early 1880’s. It became a prolific business with willow being supplied to London. Every two months a London worker would drive a horse and cart on a four day round trip to collect the prized willow. After the cart was loaded the driver would overnight at the Shepherd and Dog before making the journey back.

At its peak, between the wars, the willow covered about 100 acres centred on Onehouse. Due to the decline in need however the workshop was closed in 1965. Since then the osier bed, which is now on the museum land, has been left in decline.

After seeing the old map the Estate Manager, Steve Howard, decided to reinstate a portion of the Osier bed. The true size of this task soon became clear, additional help was going to need to be enlisted. After a phone call and a visit, up stepped Simon Burnham-Slipper and his enthusiastic students from Otley Collage. Fleeces off, sleeves rolled up and work started. They spent a long day clearing the area to expose around 50 willow trees. These trees have all now been coppiced. The original dames and ditches will also be reinstated to ensure the recently cleared trees have enough water.

After coppicing, the newly cut willow was put to good use. Far too thick for basket making this year, some of the students under the watchful eye of Hannah, a regular volunteer from Otley College, created a willow dome with a seat inside. A large screen, and a large shelter that will be used in future by willow workers, were also made from the Whips. This style of structure is still a living form. The willow whips are planted in the ground and take root, they then continue to grow in the new designated shape.

The aim of the exercise was to not only expose a piece of history for visitors to the museum, but also to regenerate a source of material. This will hopefully be used in classes and demonstrations at the museum and maybe a source for local businesses.

The Osier bed can be found by following the yellow route along the River Rat.

Archie Gemmel – Estate Ranger

The Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket is set within 80 acres of beautiful Suffolk Countryside. We have the only Social Enterprise based in a UK museum and are about to undergo a £3m capital development. We are looking for motivated and talented individual to build on our success by helping us inspire people by living happy and fulfilled lives

Learning and Enterprise Manager – 3 days a week £24,000 pro rata.
(This post is a job-share 3 days a week. The other half of the post is in place)

This post will manage the museums social enterprise training programme and heritage learning activities. Leading a team of three, you will encourage participation in volunteering, skills development and training and formal and informal learning. You need to be a great communicator, have an innovative mind and entrepreneurial flair.

Contact: Patsy Cane for application pack patsy.cane@eastanglianlife.org.uk
Location: Stowmarket, Suffolk
Hours: 3 days a week (24 hours)
Salary: £24,000 pro rata

Closing date for applications 9 December interview date 17 December

St Edmund Celebrations at the Mid Suffolk Tourist Information Centre

From 16^th – 21^st November we are having a week of special events at the Mid Suffolk Tourist Information Centre, Museum of East Anglian Life,  Stowmarket, to celebrate the life of St Edmund, a local lad and the patron saint of Suffolk (formerly patron saint of England).

Programme of events:

16th – 21^st November:  Throughout the week, see the fabulous display of crowns and St Edmund in his thrown.  Find out about St Edmund’s story by taking part in our St Edmund’s Trail competition - £15, £10 & £5 TIC vouchers to be won.  Suffolk flags for sale.  Crowns to colour in.

Friday 20^th November – St Edmund’s Day: 11am – 11.30am, St Edmund’s Coronation – an event never before seen in Stowmarket!  Watch our crowning ceremony along with other loyal subjects, and Heads of Church and State.

Saturday 21^st November: Free live entertainment with…

11.30am – 12 the Hageneth Morris Dancers

12 - 12.30pm the Woolpit hand-bell ringers

1.30pm – 2pm busking by the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust.

Special St Edmund’s Lunch at Gilbert’s Bistro in the Museum’s Home Close.

St Edmund’s Head real ale from the Old Cannon Brewery, Bury St Edmunds, on sale – hurry while stocks last!  + all the events listed for the week.

Opening times:  Mon – Fri 9am – 4.15pm.  Sat 10am – 3.45pm

Contact:  tel. 01449 676800 email tic@midsuffolk.gov.uk

Mid Suffolk Tourist Information Centre

Museum of East Anglian Life

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP14 1DL

Join the crowds around the bonfire to watch a spectacular family firework display at the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket on Saturday, November 7th.
Gates open at 6:30pm when you will be able to enjoy the sights and smells of traction engines in steam, and a selection of Old Tyme Amusements from an East Anglian Fairground Family. The bonfire will be lit on the top field at 7pm and the fireworks will start at 7:30pm.

Food and refreshments will be available throughout the event.

Tickets will be available in advance from the Mid-Suffolk Tourist Information Centre in Stowmarket – Adults: £4, Children: £3, Special Family ticket: £12 (2 adults and up to 3 children) or alternatively buy your tickets on the night – Adults: £4.50 and Children: £3.50 (no family ticket on the night).

For further information about this or any event at the Museum, please contact:

Tourist Information Centre, Phone:  01449 676800 or Patsy Cane or Lisa Harris on 01449 612229

Bonfire Night Poster (34Kb, Word document)

The spectaular Dance Tent at MEAL

Dance for everyone to participate, watch and enjoy

DanceEast's Spiegeltent tour will be the first of its kind in East Anglia. This beautiful wooden structure has a dazzling interior of mirrored booths surrounding a wooden dance floor, creating the perfect intimate space for dance performances, workshops and classes, or simply a relaxing drink at the bar, along with a host of after dance surprises!

An exciting range of activities will be on offer from children's workshops and Indian Classical Dance to Flamenco and Street Dance, along with performances by national and international dance artists, providing a fun way to enjoy dance, make friends and learn new skills during the summer.

The tent is visiting rural and urban areas across East Anglia, and will provide an opportunity to try something different in a fun and relaxed environment. If you have never experienced dance before, then the Spectacular Dancing Tent is the perfect place to start!

The Dancing Tent will be coming to the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket on 15 July - 26 July

Full Suffolk programme can be downloaded here http://www.danceeast.co.uk/assets/downloads/Programme_of_events.pdf

If you would like any information regarding workshops, live performances or would like to make a booking, please contact Dance East on: -

Box Office: 01473 295237/01473 639230

Event: The 14^th Stowmarket Festival of Beer and Brewing

Date: Thursday 1^st July  – Sunday 4^th July 2010

Venue: Museum of East Anglian Life

Press contact: Patsy Cane – Office Manager or Lisa Harris - Collections Manager on 01449 612229 or  enquiries@eastanglianlife.org.uk

The Museum of East Anglian Life in association with CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale, kicks off its 14^th Beer Festival on Thursday 1^st July.  The event which runs through to the Sunday afternoon of 4^th July is perhaps the Museums most celebrated annual event. Visitors will have the chance to sample up to 60 East Anglian real ales and a number of ciders. The festival takes place in the beautiful setting of the museum’s 14^th century Abbots Hall barn.

Museum Director, Tony Butler reckons that the museum is the ideal venue for an ale festival. “Stowmarket has a long history of brewing. There are former hop beds on the museum site near to the Rattlesden River. Although there is no longer a brewery in the town, companies like Muntons have helped the town retain its malting Traditions.”

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday – East Anglian Traditional Music Trust

Friday – Back Porch Band

Saturday – Saltshaker Blues

Opening Hours are

Thursday 6pm – 11pm

Friday 12noon – 11pm

Saturday 11am – 11pm

Sunday 12noon – 3pm

Admission: £2 to Beer Festival only or included in Museum Admission during the day

CAMRA members free admission to Beer Festival

For more details Tel: 01449 612229

Website: www.eastanglianlife.org.uk

Email: enquiries@eastanglianlife.org.uk

The Museum of East Anglian Life (MEAL) will be holding the first ever Good Life Festival on the 31^st May 2009. Come along and find out how you can make your life a ‘Good Life’!

The Museum’s Sustainable Learning Officer, Jo Rooks says, “During these times of economic uncertainty, when we are all trying to save money, the Good Life Festival gives us all a chance to find ways to improve our lives without spending a lot. You can find out how to grow your own food, join a sewing group, use local producers or give some of your time by volunteering. All of these things can make you happier and do not cost a fortune.”

Come and sample local produce, watch or join in with some fun and interesting demonstrations and find out about your local organisations.  BBC Radio Suffolk will be here all day with their radio car. Learn how to produce your own food with the Suffolk Smallholders Association and the Young Farmers, learn about recycling on the Recycling Bus, have a go at belly dancing with Bellycise, try some local Aspall’s cider and much, much more!  Â

For the children we have mini ride-on tractors, games, activities and the Museum farm animals for them to meet.

Entry to the Museum is included in the ticket price so you can explore our historic buildings, take a look at the Museum’s fascinating collections, have a walk along the Nature Trail as well as joining in with the fun of the Good Life. You are welcome to bring a picnic or try our delicious food at the Museum Bistro and make a day of it.

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Monday 4th  May 2009

Why not join us to celebrate the coming of May and the start of springtime by joining in our Annual May Day Celebration.

Dancing round the Maypole, Morris dancers, traditional music and jig dolls are coming to the Museum of East Anglian Life on Bank Holiday Monday 4^thMay 2009 !

Throughout the day we will be encouraging all ages to join us in dancing round the Museums Maypole and welcoming the Green Dragon Morris Dancers who will dance at 12:30 and 2:30pm.  They are a mixed group of men and women dancers who aim to have fun with flamboyance and finesse!  The children - the  " Morris Minors " - make a significant contribution to the energy of the side.

For the children we also have a Green Man hunt around the Museum along with a Green Man mask-making workshop (no need to book).  The dances chosen for the maypole will be simple, and basic instruction will be given on the day.

Especially for this year May Day sees the launch of a new online exhibition 'When Were We Happy'. The exhibition uses four time periods to compare and contrast the well-being and happiness of the people that lived in the village of Stowupland, near Stowmarket, in the years 1851, 1901, 1951 and now.

Why not come along and join in, relive memories of your childhood, learn about the traditions of May Day for the first time or have a look at our new exhibition.Â

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 Spring into Easter with activities, animals and workshops at the Museum of East Anglian Life on Easter Sunday!

There will be an exciting Easter Egg Hunt which will take you all over the Museum buildings and grounds that are bursting into life at this time of year.

Our activity room will be bustling with an art workshop that is free to all visitors who have paid their entry into the Museum. Come along to make your own set of bouncing bunny ears, get your face painted and much more.Â

Mid Suffolk District Council are attending with their  recycling / home composting stand as well as children's activities such as papermaking / origami plant pots & bee homes.  Meet the Museum Team in the polytunnel for a seed workshop, visit the Pinks for a printed poster and more.

Estate Ranger  Archie Gemmel will lead a guided walk and talk through our Award winning River Rattlesden Nature Reserve at 2.00pm.

Come and enjoy the family fun day with us.

The Museum of East Anglian Life (MEAL), Stowmarket are working with local engine owners to run their 7th Driver Training Course at the Museum on the 8th and 9th August 2009 as part of the Museum's "Steam and Crafts" weekend.  The course is for adults over 21 years old who hold a full driving licence.

The aim of the weekend is to give training in the working of all variants of road steam engines and the opportunity to acquire the basic skills of driving, along with the responsibilities associated with engine management.Â

There will be a nominal cost of £155 for the weekend. This is to cover the costs of coal, engine owner's minimal expenses, course training notes, and a certificate of attendance. A special voucher can also be supplied in advance if you would like to use this as a gift - just let us know.

On the Saturday evening we hope to hold a social event at the Museum. The evening will be a ticketed event but will be open to everyone involved with the Museums Steam and Traditional Crafts event along with their families, etc.

If you would like to book your place on this event please contact Lisa Harris at the Museum for a booking form on 01449 612229 or lisa.harris@eastanglianlife.org.uk

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