KIDS’ CLUB LAUNCH PROMISES TO BE A ‘BIG DRAW’

(25 October 2007)

A new club designed especially for children is to be unveiled at The Bowes Museum next week.

Cygnets Kids’ Club will be launched on Thursday 25 October during a special event to celebrate The Big Draw, a national campaign which involves over 1,000 venues across the UK offering a vast range of artistic activities. Participants attending any of the workshops during half term week at the Museum will have their names entered into a prize draw, with the lucky winner receiving a year’s free membership to Cygnets.

The club, which takes over from Merlins Kids’ Club, is open to children aged between 7-12 years and offers a host of exciting benefits for an annual fee of just £10. Members will receive regular fun-packed newsletters featuring exclusive invitations to family fun and special arts and crafts events; a Museum visit ‘passport card’ to reward regular visitors, reduced rates and priority booking for professional artist-led workshops.

Festive felt making with Debbie Lucas will kick off the first special event in November, with a workshop giving an opportunity to try out traditional felt making techniques. For further information about the workshop or the Cygnets Kids’ Club telephone the Museum’s education department on 01833 694602 or email cygnets@thebowesmuseum.org.uk. For details of The Big Draw visit the website at www.thebigdraw.org.uk.

The Bowes Museum is open daily from 10.00 – 5.00 (4.00 1 November – 1 March). For information about events and exhibitions call 01833 690606, email info@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or visit the website at www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

The Bowes Museum was created over 100 years ago by an extraordinary couple, John and Joséphine Bowes.  Together they built up the greatest private collection of fine and decorative arts in the North of England and constructed a magnificent building to house them in.  The collection contains thousands of objects including furniture, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and many other items covering an extensive range of European styles and periods. 

The Bowes Museum is undergoing a major transformation that includes roof restoration work and gallery redevelopment, meaning that some spaces are currently not available for public access. This work is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Northern Rock Foundation, One NorthEast through the County Durham Economic Partnership, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, The European Regional Development Fund, DCMS/Wolfson Museum and Galleries Improvement Fund, Designation Challenge Fund, The Shears Foundation, The Richard and Suzanna Tonks Family Fund at County Durham Foundation, Durham County Council, The Friends of The Bowes Museum, The Headley Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, Fenwick Ltd, Mercers Charitable Foundation, Welton Foundation. While we are endeavouring to keep as much of the collections on display as possible, visitors are advised to call ahead if wishing to see a specific item to check if it is on display.

Normal admission to the museum: Adults £7.00, Concessions £6.00, Children Free (under 16s).  Admission allows access to all exhibitions, permanent displays and some events. Admissions are donation inclusive and are eligible for Gift Aid. If you do not wish to make a charitable donation admission prices are: Adults £6.35, Concessions £5.45, Children (under 16) and carers free.

The Bowes Museum, Café Bowes and shop are open daily 10.00 – 5.00 (4.00 1 November – 1 March).