On Monday 27th May we will be hosting a Children’s event here at the Museum where we will all learn the art of Georgian fans and their secret messages.

On Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June the gardens will be open in aid of the National Garden Scheme.

Admission is £2.50 for adults, and free entry for children up to 16 years.

Income from the plant stall and teas will go to the Museum’s Gardens Fund.

On the Saturday, local artist David Purvis will be painting live art, and on the Sunday there will be lacemaking demonstrations.

On the weekends of the 13th and 14th AND 27th and 28th July we will be getting down and dirty for our new Archaeology Days event!

Both Saturdays (13th and 27th) we encourage you to bring any of your archaeological objects to be identified by our visiting Finds Liason Officer and her team of metal detectorists. While both Sundays (14th and 28th) will hold archaeologically awesome activities for children and adults.

Due to the popularity of our annual Archaeology Day we have decided to expand the event by dedicating two whole weekends in July – which will also be part of a national celebration: The Festival of Archaeology organised by the Council of British Archaeology.

On Sunday 21st July 10.30am – 4.40pm we will be hosting an all day event of Woodcarving with The British Woodcarving Association (BWA)! Usual Cowper and Newton entry free applies.

http://britishwoodcarversassociation.co.uk/

The BWA exists to advance and promote the art and craft of wood carving and sculpture in all its forms, to encourage the exchange of ideas between members, promote best practice and to enable wood carvers and sculptors to promote their work to a wider audience.

BWA members meet regularly to carve, chat and to give and receive help and advice. The association is made up of 30 regions, loosely based on the counties of England, North and South Wales and Jersey.

Most regions hold exhibitions and demonstrate at shows locally, and a number get together annually to exhibit and demonstrate at National Exhibitions.

The British Woodcarvers Association is there for everyone, from the absolute novice hobby carver to top professionals, from non-carvers who are just interested in the art and craft of carving to companies supplying equipment to our members. Do come and visit them at the Cowper and Newton Museum on Sunday 21st July, 10am – 4:30pm.  They will be happy to answer all your questions, to show you techniques and you might like a dabble in soap carving to start you off in this wonderful hobby!

Visit their website  http://britishwoodcarversassociation.co.uk/.  to find their BWA regional groups – you’ll be made very welcome!

Bask in our glorious historic gardens with eighteenth century flowers on Saturday 24th August as we will be holding a Georgian Tea Party in the garden! Historic refreshments will be provided!

 More information about this event coming soon.

We will be celebrating the 240th Anniversary of ‘Amazing Grace’ by opening the museum and gardens to the public for free on the weekend of Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September! This event will be part of the nation Heritage Open Days scheme.

More information about this event coming soon.

On Friday 27th September the Friends of the Museum will be hosting an Autumn Fish and Chip Quiz.

More information about this event coming soon.

On Saturday 5th October we will be celebrating National Poetry Day with our resident poet William Cowper and others!

More information about this event coming soon.

This year we will be dedicating an event for Black History Month on Saturday 26th October through our links with ex slave trader and abolitionist John Newton.

More information about this event coming soon.

On Saturday 16th November New Orleans Jazz singer Lillian Boutté will be performing at Olney’s St Peter and St Paul church, which will include such classics as ‘Amazing Grace’. This event is being organised by the Friends of the Museum and booking prior to the event will be necessary.

More information about this event coming soon.