HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2018: EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN
Join us for special guided tours of the MERL, introducing some Extraordinary Women who have contributed to the historic stories of the museum and the University of Reading collections Places are limited – booking is essential Tour 1: The Extraordinary Women gallery tours (1 hour) will run: Thurs 6 Sept – 10:30 & 14:30 Sun […]
THE MERL FAMILY PICNIC
BRING A PICNIC, YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR TEDDY AND JOIN US IN THE MERL GARDEN FOR FOOD-THEMED FUN Have a go at oat-rolling Test out our ‘Sensory Cow’. Record your moo! Try milking Daisy the Cow Follow the Food Facts Trail in the MERL galleries Enjoy make-and-take and colouring activities Try out our new woodland […]
THE MERL FAMILY EVENT: A BUG’S LIFE
JOIN US FOR A MORNING OF BUG EXPLORATION AND THEMED CRAFT ACTIVITIES IN THE MERL GARDEN SESSIONS ARE SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 3 – 11* AND WILL INCLUDE: a bug trail Trying out bug catching and viewing equipment Bug-themed crafts A visit from a local bee-keeper Outdoor play (for under-7s, similar to the MERL’s […]
BOOK LAUNCH: HANDLING
Join us to celebrate the launch of ‘Handling’ by poet-in-residence, Jack Thacker Join us to celebrate the launch of a new collection by poet and farmer’s son, Jack Thacker. This exciting volume has been produced in partnership with local publishers Two Rivers Press. The words within are inspired directly by Jack’s personal experiences and by collections […]
CLIMATE SYMPOSIUM: “A WORLD WITHOUT…..”
We are excited to be hosting our first ever Reading Fringe Festival event this year! BBC Radio 3 Presenter and Festival guest curator Fiona Talkington hosts a lively lunchtime debate with special guests who have an interest in ice, climate change, silence, darkness and beyond. Panellists Terje Isungset Internationally renowned ice musician and Director of Ice Music […]
WHITEKNIGHTS STUDIO TRAIL
The MERL is very pleased to host 3 artists as part of this year’s Whiteknights Studio Trail Joan McQuillan www.diveristy.textileart.com Stitched embroidered textiles. “Combining research, experimenting and using a wide variety of media I strive to push boundaries to create something unique with fabric and thread.” Kate Powell www.katepowell.org Upholstery, textile design. Kate Powell is […]
TERRIFIC TREES FAMILY EVENT
JOIN US FOR A MORNING OF FUN TREE-THEMED GAMES AND CRAFT ACTIVITIES IN THE MERL GARDEN. SESSIONS ARE SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 3 – 11* AND WILL INCLUDE: Paint with natural paint brushes and have a go at leaf printing Twig frames; twig pencil holder; create your own twig art. (Ages 6 +)* Identify the […]
THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY FARMING
Visit the Museum’s open access stores and find an innovative exploration of contemporary art and farming! The Museum of Contemporary Farming is an artwork made on Twitter with the help of the public. Artist Georgina Barney has worked with farmer and artist Kate Genever to record aspects of farming that are hard to capture, with a selection of proposals on display. Also […]
HALF TERM HOLIDAYS AT THE MERL
VISIT THE MUSEUM DURING THE HOLIDAYS FOR TRAILS, OBJECT HANDLING AND ACTIVITIES Visit the galleries during your holidays and discover the exciting displays and interactive games Try out our Rat and Rodent Trail Get your hands on real museum objects with our Object Handling volunteers Free Make and Take activities Have a go at making a brass rubbing […]
A CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS
The Children’s Book Award presented by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups is the only national award of its type voted for solely by children. Drawing on collections held by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, the Children’s Collection held by University of Reading Special Collections Service and the Museum of English Rural Life, this […]