News and Views

Jan and Ron Butler with their distinguished volunteer award in the garden at the MERL
Author
sheilafisher
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Published Date
November 19, 2018

Volunteer retires after 23 years at The MERL

The Museum of English Rural Life thanks volunteer Ron Butler as he retires after 23 years and receives University of Reading Distinguished Volunteer award.

Colour illustration of two chickens in front of a canal and windmill
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Published Date
November 11, 2018

The chicken and the egg: the David Scrivener Collection

Thanks to The Poultry Club of Great Britain we have acquired the unique archive and library gathered by author and poultry show judge David Scrivener.

Author
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Published Date
October 25, 2018

10 Reasons You Should Adopt an Archive Box

We’re crowdfunding to buy archive preservation materials for our at-risk Farmers Weekly photographs. You can help us by adopting an archive box!

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Published Date
October 24, 2018

The Outside In: A Q&A with Steven Claydon on The MERL

Steven Claydon is interviewed by Naomi Lebens about the Museum of English Rural Life as a venue for his new Reading International exhibition, The Outside In

clogs and clog lasts lined up on a window ledge against a dusty window
Author
Alison Hilton
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Published Date
October 10, 2018

Stepping out of time with Hannah James at The MERL Annual Lecture

Repeated images of a postage stamp depicting a chicken wearing trousers on a shield, with the title 'HENSBROEK', a town in the Netherlands.
Author
josefinabravo
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Published Date
October 9, 2018

Why is a chicken wearing trousers?

Richard Beale’s viral chicken in trousers is unusual, but could have been inspired by a number of things (including a small Dutch town). Discover more!

Author
josefinabravo
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Published Date
October 8, 2018

Chicken in trousers? What’s next – a cow wearing wellies?

The Museum of English Rural Life went viral with a chicken wearing trousers, but what about other clothed animals in the countryside? Let us tell you.

A black and white picture of Doreen Thorp smiling, wearing a white shirt and tie
Author
sheilafisher
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Published Date
October 8, 2018

Searching for the Extraordinary

Museum of English Rural Life volunteers explore The MERL Archives and Special Collections for stories of extraordinary women for Heritage Open Days

A scene of Woburn sheep shearing fair, with many animals and people milling about.
Author
josefinabravo
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Published Date
October 5, 2018

A snap chat about new photos of country shows

Join our exciting instalment of Land and Folk where we bring the story of photographer Arnhel de Serra’s ongoing project, The Country Show, to The MERL.