News and Views

Author
Alison Hilton
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Published Date
October 1, 2018

If you go down to The MERL today…

Find out about surprising changes at the Museum of English Rural Life as part of Steven Claydon’s new Reading International exhibition, The Outside In

An illustration of a woman looking at a man, as part of an editorial meeting, for the Ladybird Women exhibition
Author
josefinabravo
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Published Date
September 14, 2018

Women of Ladybird: New Feminism in Old Tales

Discover how depictions of women in Ladybird books contributed to gender roles and the expectations of British society, and visit our free display!

An close-up of a slipware harvest jug coloured brown and yellow, with the design of a smiling sun on the front and overlaid white text 'Folk'.
Author
josefinabravo
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Published Date
September 5, 2018

Why the Folk?

Why the folk should you care about folk? Let our curator Ollie enlighten you to the fascinating and contested world of folk at the MERL.

Author
josefinabravo
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Published Date
September 4, 2018

We can’t believe we get to do this with chickens

Discover all the fun we’ve had with chickens in our Poultry Club project, in collaboration with the Poultry Club of Great Britain!

An image of an owl and a cat, made using crafts in the Ladybird making series
Author
Alison Hilton
/
Published Date
August 24, 2018

Ladybird in Focus: Creating a Making display!

Discover our journey in making a simple owl and cat from the Ladybird series of books on making, and visit our free display.

Beet Singling Competition, 13 year-old Josephine Potter using a mattock, Braintree, Essex War Agricultural Executive Committee and Felsted Factory
Author
ehunt
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Published Date
August 24, 2018

Autumn is Here: Grab Your Mattock, People!

Welcome to September, it’s time to grab your mattock and head into the field. Discover more about mattocks and what they can do for you (and your harvest).

A photo of the MERL Reading Room for the Library and Archive
Author
Adam Lines
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Published Date
July 3, 2018

Changes to reading room bookings and self-service photography

Author
Alison Hilton
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Published Date
June 27, 2018

‘Handling’ by poet in residence, Jack Thacker

Poet Jack Thacker writes about his first book ‘Handling’ published by Two Rivers Press in July based on his residency at the Museum of English Rural Life

An image of the front of both museums against a blue sky. The Museums Partnership Reading logo is superimposed on top.
Author
josefinabravo
/
Published Date
June 27, 2018

The MERL and Reading Museum: Working together

The Museum of English Rural Life and Reading Museum are working together as Museums Partnership Reading until 2022, funded by Arts Council England.