Beautiful prints for sale

Unique Views of Early Victorian Thornbury

Recently a number of watercolour paintings came up for sale online.  They had been taken from an album created by an unknown artist in 1845. Most were West Country locations and the artist is likely to have been based in the Bristol area.  He or she painted a number of views in and around Thornbury, probably while staying in the town.

Some of these paintings were purchased by local residents and they have been made available to the museum for research purposes.

One is a sensitive and colourful portrayal of the historic Thornbury Castle, before its major restoration by the Howard family.

Another depicts the charming Old Market Hall and its adjoining toll house in the High Street.

High quality Giclée prints, using archival paper and ink, of both these pictures have been produced, by kind permission of their owners. They are only available from the museum shop and would make wonderful presents – or would look lovely in your own home. All proceeds will go to support the museum.

Don’t miss this chance to buy a print (or two) with real local significance.

Hunt the Eggs! – a school holiday activity

If you have children or grandchildren to entertain over the Easter school holiday, bring them into the museum.

It’s FREE, they can hunt the eggs and win a prize.  See here for details.

Ferocious Antelopes & Silvery Swans

We’re promoting tomorrow night’s talk hosted by the Thornbury Local History & Archaeology Society – because our own Meg Wise is the speaker!

Her talk is intriguingly titled “Ferocious Antelopes and Silvery Swans: Heraldry & Symbolism at Thornbury Castle”.

She’ll be asking what part heraldry and symbolism played in the life (and death?) of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, builder of Thornbury Castle.

Meg is a trustee at the museum and an experienced volunteer here, as well as the author of a number of local history books and booklets.  Listening to Professor Ronald Hutton’s recent talk to the Thornbury Society about Henry VIII, she had one or two queries about some of the points he made about Thornbury Castle.   If you go to tomorrow night’s talk, you can decide for yourself!

The talk is at St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, Thornbury at 7.30pm.  All are welcome.  Non-members pay £2.50 at the door (includes interval refreshments).

Your chance to find out more about Thornbury’s Tudor bigwig!