Christmases past, past and past - a journey through 400 years of festivities with Birmingham Museums Trust

Three different periods of Christmases past are explored at some of Birmingham Museums Trust’s historic properties in December, exploring the origins of lavish Christmas customs dating from Tudor times to the less salubrious ration-book cuisine of World War II at Blakesley Hall, Soho House & Aston Hall this December.

Time travelling visitors can start their exploration of historic traditions at Blakesley Hall on 10 December, for a Tudor Christmas.  Professional historic re-enactors recreate a seasonal celebration from 1635, with music provided by traditional Tudor musicians as well as St Barnabas Handbell ringers and Choir Divertimento.  Tickets cost £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £6 for children (3-15), with prebooking essential by calling 0121 348 8038 or online at www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Soho House’s Georgian heritage is celebrated with a series of tours of the traditionally decorated house, to see how Matthew Boulton and his friends would have spent their Christmases at the house.  Tours run on 7, 8, 14 and 15 December at 12 noon and 2.00pm, priced at £10 per person.  Again, prebooking is essential: call 0121 348 8038 or visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Aston Hall provides a comparison of nearly four centuries of celebrations, recreating the sights and sounds from the 17thcentury right through to the 1940s – expect roaring fires, beautiful yuletide decorations and costumed characters on your journey through time.  The event takes place on 17 December, with timed tickets available between 4.30pm and 7.00pm.  The Hall itself remains open until 9.30pm – plenty of time to enjoy both the event and the boutique gift shop!  To book, call 0121 348 8038 or visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Crafty fun will be the order of the day at Sarehole Mill on Thursday 22 December, when an adult crafting workshop will draw inspiration from the many avian visitors that the site welcomes!  Participants in the 90 minute workshop will make their own woollen bird decorations, with a hot drink and mince pie included in the £5 fee.  Places should be prebooked by calling 0121 348 8038 or visiting www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Finally, proving that you can leave your Christmas shopping until the last minute and still pick up an exquisite and unique gift, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is opening on Christmas Eve.  There is no charge for access to the gift shop or tea room, where visitors can buy unique jewellery made by local independent jewellers that anyone would feel blessed to receive.  The Museum opens 10.30am to 5.00pm.

For details of all events taking place at Birmingham Museums, please visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Birmingham Museums Trust

Birmingham Museums Trust is an independent charity that manages the city’s museum collection and venues on behalf of Birmingham City Council.  It uses the collection of around 800,000 objects to provide a wide range of arts, cultural and historical experiences, events and activities that deliver accessible learning, creativity and enjoyment for citizens and visitors to the city.  Most areas of the collection are designated as being of national importance, including the finest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world.  Attracting over one million visits a year, the Trust’s venues include Aston Hall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Blakesley Hall, Museum Collections Centre, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Sarehole Mill, Soho House, Thinktank and Weoley Castle.  www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk