Older Press Releases
December 2007
Banish the Winter Blues with a Trip Back in Time
Ticked off with turkey and bored of brussel sprouts? Then indulge in a mouthwatering portion of the Black Country Living Museum's famous fish and chips and revitalise your appetite for the festive season. Wash it all down with a pint of real ale from the Bottle and Glass Inn and you've created the perfect remedy for the blues this winter.
Tuesday 5th December 2006
Record Sales for Santa!
The Black Country Living Museum's Santa Hunt is proving a big hit with parents and children alike and record tickets sales have left just three dates - Monday 18th, Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th December, 2006 available for wannabe Santa Seekers.
Friday 29th November, 2006
Santa Under Lock and Key
Search for Santa dates are selling faster than like hot mince pies and visitors need to book their tickets fast with just four dates remaining. Santa Claus will be kicking off his 2006 World Tour at the Locksmith's House, Willenhall where he'll dropping in en route to the North Pole. Make some Christmas memories you'll treasure forever and watch your children's faces light up with happiness as they set out on a fun-filled Search for Santa.
23rd November 2006
Stagestruck Museum Appeals for Memories and Photographs
The Black Country Living Museum is hoping that readers can shine the spotlight on a missing link in the historic story of the Cradley Heath women chainmakers. The Museum which began reconstruction work on the Workers' Institute in July of this year, would like to find out more information about the Institute's auditorium stage.
Wednesday 22nd November 2006
Santa Hunt Selling Out Fast!
Tickets to The Black Country Living Museum's Santa Hunt events are selling out fast and wannabe Santa seekers need to book their tickets fast with just seven remaining dates left to choose from. These include Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November and the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd December, 2006.
10th November, 2006
Santa Spotted at the Black Country Living Museum
Santa has been spotted at the Black Country Living Museum where the festive season kicks off early with the highly popular Santa Hunts. Children's faces light up with wonder as the hunt for Santa takes them into the magical Museum canalside village.
8th November 2006
Enjoy A Magical Christmas Evening
Christmas comes early at the Black Country Living Museum where Traditional Christmas Evenings kick off the festivities on Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd December, 2006. Tis the season to be jolly and old-time entertainers, bellringers, carol singers, street organists, a brass band and a jolly Santa Claus will be ho!, ho!,ho-ing their way through the holiday season!
3rd November 2006
Child's Play Recreates Cradley Heath 'Stute!
Work on the next biggest attraction is underway at the Black Country Living Museum where builders are using child's play to recreate the past. Awarded a £1.535 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund the Museum is using a unique construction method - 'building by numbers', to return 'the 'Stute' to its former glory.
Wednesday 1st November 2006
Ensure Sparks Don't Fly on Bonfire Night!
Be safe not sorry and ditch the fireworks in favour of Bonfire Night - without the bang at the Black Country Living Museum and remember, remember, safety on the 5th November. Each year flyaway fireworks and stray sparklers cause a catalogue of accidents and could even earn you a rocketing from your neighbours or a roasting from the police!
Wednesday 1st November 2006
Turn Back the Clock
'Tis the season to be jolly and The Black Country Living Museum's Traditional Christmas Evenings, held on Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd December, get visitors in the festive mood with a feast of family entertainment. A Christmas card scene unfolds as the Museum's gas and candlelit village, complete with Victorian carol singers, bells ringers, street organs market stalls and a brass band, takes visitors on a trip down memory lane. Traditional, handmade decorations adorn the cottages and houses and Christmas trees, decked with fairy lights, illuminate the cobbled street.
Friday 27th October 2006
A Birthday Bash Full of Memories
A big milestone deserves a big party! To celebrate his 60th birthday Roger Murray, Care Partner of Alphonsus Homes and Charnat Day Services hired the award-winning Black Country Living Museum as the venue for his birthday bash. On Thursday 26th October he treated 450 family, friends, residents and clients to a trip down memory lane.
18th October 2006
Do you have the X- mas Factor?
Do you have the X-mas Factor? Bosses at the Black Country Living Museum are searching for talented choirs and groups of carol singers to take part in the Museum's Traditional Christmas Evenings on Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd December, 2006.
13th October 2006
Bostin Christmas Fittle
The Black Country Living Museum is offering bostin fittle at the Canalside Cafe with a three course traditional Christmas lunch. Mouthwatering seasonal treats, set against the magical backdrop of the Museum's period village, are sure to tempt the tastebuds and kick start the festive season.
4th October 2006
Spark Memories from the Past
The regions most talked about Bonfire Night event makes a roaring return to the Black Country Living Museum on Sunday 5th November, 2006 where a traditional, family orientated celebration sparks memories of the past. The Museum's canalside village is aglow with candle and gas-light and visitors can enjoy an evening of music, entertainment and a feat of traditional fayre. A medley of musical entertainment includes a fanfare of barrel organs, showman's organs, street entertainers, and a brass band playing a host of popular tunes. The Victorian Fairground will also be in full swing.
15th September 2006
A Halloween Evening to Die For!
The Black Country Living Museum will host two hair-raising evenings to die for with a devlishly good All Hallows Eve' on Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st October. Britiain's friendliest Museum becomes Britain's most haunted as ghost-busting visitors take ghoulish guided walks admist the eerie gas-lit streets.
14th September 2006
Hot Property
Hot property programme 'To Buy or Not to Buy' comes to the Black Country and makes a whistle-stop tour of the Black Country Living Museum to film The Black Country Living Museum has an egg-cellent menu of Easter activities lined up for a fortnight of family fun, kicking off on Saturday 8th April until Sunday 23rd April.
11th September 2006
Speakers Give Stamp of Approval to Chainmaker's Festival
The 2006 Women Chainmakers Festival returns for its second year at the Black Country Living Museum and takes place on Saturday 16th September. Speakers at the festival which celebrates the pioneering work of the women Chainmakers of Cradley Heath, have now been unveiled and include a top ranking government Minister and a leading official from the Trades Union Congress.
11th September 2006
Festival Returns for Second Successful Year
The Women Chainmakers' Festival returns to the Black Country Living Museum on Saturday 16th September for a second successful year. Live music, street theatre, poetry, storytelling and Black Country comedy promise to hit the right note with visitors. Stirring speeches fly the banner ensuring the Macarthur legacy lives on with a grand costumed procession bringing to life the Women Chainmaker's strike of 1910. The Festival aims to raise funds for the Worker's Institute so that it may continue the Macarthur vision and promote, support and inspire the positive role of women in industry.
6th September 2006
Community Union
The 2006 Women Chainmakers Festival returns for its second year at the Black Country Living Museum and takes place on Saturday 16th September. Speakers at the festival which celebrates the pioneering work of the women Chainmakers of Cradley Heath, have now been unveiled and include a top ranking government Minister and a leading official from the Trades Union Congress.
5th September 2006
Wordsmiths' Spake Out for Women's Rights
Black Country voices are in fine fettle and a bostin line up of home-grown talent treads the boards at the second Women Chainmakers' Festival at the Black Country Living Museum on Saturday 16th September. A medley of Black Country musicians will be hitting the right note with audiences and include veteran of the Midland's folk scene, Stourbridge singer-songwriter Pete Boddis - close your eyes and you could be in Nashville!
25th August 2006
Recent Discoveries Unveiled
Discover hidden gems behind the scenes at the Black Country Living Museum on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th September, when the Museum is having it's first ever stores open day as part of the Heritage Open Days Programme 2006. Visitors can meander through an Aladdin's Cave of rare and unusual objects which include model steam engines, canal boats, planes and trolley buses; Victorian dolls, children's toys, Victorian needlework samplers, lady's hats and dresses, a WWII Mortar bomb, a gramophone, gasmasks, medals, coins, examples of penmanship and even 17th century indenture!
23rd August 2006
Wartime Drama at the Locksmith's House
Wartime memories come flooding back, captured by a dramatic period play, performed by the Black Country Players, at the Locksmith's House, Willenhall on Saturday 9th September in celebration of Heritage Open Day. A intriguing episode from Hodson' family life is captured as the performance weaves its way around the house and workshop. Each play is 30-40 minutes long and performance times are 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm.
15th August 2006
Bank Holiday Bumper Bonanza
A Bank Holiday bumper bonanza features at the Black Country Living Museum with old-fashioned street games, the rolling mill and pre 1st World War vintage vehicles causing a spin on Saturday 26th , Sunday 27th and Monday 28th August.
31st July 2006
Rally Success Brings in Bumper Crowds
Staff at the black Country Living Museum waved the chequered flag on a successful day which saw bumper crowds attend The Black Country Vehicle Rally on Sunday 30th July. Classic cars from afar afield as Buckinghamshire attend the gathering of marvellous motors and visitors enjoyed Dream drives include Austin, Clyno, Guy, Jensen, Jimini, Lagonda, Lomax, Quatum, Rickman, Star, Sunbeam, Swallow, Turner and Westfield and read like entries in a Who's Who of the Highway.
28th July 2006
Fire Service Turn Up the Heat
Willenhall Fire Service will be turning up the heat this summer when they attend the FREE Community Day Event at the Locksmith's House, Willenhall on Saturday 19th August. Firemen will be delivering key fire safety messages about fire prevention to visitors and will be on hand to answer any questions. The young and the young at heart can relive their childhood ambitions and sit inside a fire engine.
25th July 2006
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Black Country engines will be revving up in anticipation of the long awaited Black Country Vehicle Rally which takes place on Sunday 30th July 2006. This year's rally is a first for vehicles powered by Meadows engines. The rally, normally reserved for cars, motorcycles and commercials built in the Black Country will, this year, also be open to cars with engines from Henry Meadows of Wolverhampton.
5th July 2006
Free Summer Fun is Key
Free summer fun is on the menu at the Locksmith's House where a programme of craft activities, quiz trails and Victorian games will take place every Wednesday and Saturday. Banish boredom with a host of activities designed to keep the kids away from the goggle box for hours! Activities take place on a drop-in basis from 12.00 – 4.00pm during school holidays.
5th July 2006
Free Summer Fun is Key
Free summer fun is on the menu at the Locksmith's House where a programme of craft activities, quiz trails and Victorian games will take place every Wednesday and Saturday. Banish boredom with a host of activities designed to keep the kids away from the goggle box for hours! Activities take place on a drop-in basis from 12.00 – 4.00pm during school holidays.
4th July 2006
Water Babes Make A Splash at Museum!
The Black Country Living Museum's 11 Piglets are keeping a cool head in the summer heatwave. Bacon in the midday sun is a thing of the past as these sun-safe water babes don sunblock before taking a refreshing dip in an oldfashioned tin bath.
4th July 2006
Horse-Drawn Canal Boat
Canal boat enthusiasts will be 'legging it' to one of the most atmospheric sights ever seen on the canals – a horse-drawn narrowboat working it's way through all 21 of Wolverhampton's locks. The Thomas Clayton boat - Gifford will make it's way through the region's waterways to the Black Country Living Museum giving passers-by and enthusiasts a nostalgic glimpse of Britain's industrial past.
2nd July 2006
Ignite Memories from Yesteryear
Ignite memories from yesteryear with a traditional Bonfire Night Celebration on Sunday 5th November at the Black Country Living Museum. The Museum will be aglow with Black Country charm as the regions most talked about Bonfire Night gets off to a roaring start!
7th June 2006
Black Country Pigs Play Football!
This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed at home, these little piggies donned their red and white kit and trotted straight onto the football pitch! World Cup Fever has hit The Black Country Living Museum where 11 prize Tamworth Red porkers are hogging the limelight with their own unique fantasy football team. The piglets named Robinson, Neville, (A) Cole , Gerrard, Ferdinand, Terry, Beckham, Lampard, Rooney, Owen and (J) Cole have all been put through their paces this week by their Manager – mum Rosie.
6th June 2006
Museum Guides' Sweet Treat with Tea-time Chat Show Favourite
Following on from their last television appearance guides from the The Black Country Living Museum will be making a return visit to Channel 4's The New Paul O'Grady Show where they will be taking centre stage alongside celebrity guests on Wednesday 7th June, 2006.
26th May 2006
Museum Goes Off It's Trolley Over Vintage Buses
Saturday 3rd June – Sunday 18th June, 2006
Grab a ticket to ride at The Black Country Living Museum where staff will be going off their trolley over vintage buses - back in service for 2 weeks only from Saturday 3rd June until Sunday 18th June, 2006.
25th May 2006
FREE Half Term Activites at the Locksmith's House, Willenhall
Saturday 27th, Wednesday 31st May & Saturday 3rd June, 2006 from 12.00 - 4.00pm
Keep boredom at bay this half term with a trip to the Locksmith's House in Willenhall where FREE holiday activities on Saturday 27th, Wednesday 31st May and Saturday 3rd of June will provide an abundance of family fun and keep the kids unglued from the TV set for hours! Don your deerstalker hat and grab your magnifying glass as you turn super-sleuth, using your powers of detection to follow a trail of cryptic clues. Take in the elgance and splendour of the Locksmith's House as the search leads you throughout the house in search of a mystery object.