Join the crowds around the bonfire to watch a spectacular family firework display at the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket on Saturday, November 7th.
Gates open at 6:30pm when you will be able to enjoy the sights and smells of traction engines in steam, and a selection of Old Tyme Amusements from an East Anglian Fairground Family. The bonfire will be lit on the top field at 7pm and the fireworks will start at 7:30pm.

Food and refreshments will be available throughout the event.

Tickets will be available in advance from the Mid-Suffolk Tourist Information Centre in Stowmarket – Adults: £4, Children: £3, Special Family ticket: £12 (2 adults and up to 3 children) or alternatively buy your tickets on the night – Adults: £4.50 and Children: £3.50 (no family ticket on the night).

For further information about this or any event at the Museum, please contact:

Tourist Information Centre, Phone:  01449 676800 or Patsy Cane or Lisa Harris on 01449 612229

Bonfire Night Poster (34Kb, Word document)

At The Big Read, Big Draw, in the BIG Barn on the 29^th October you will hear the strange and twisted tale of Mr. and Mrs. Twit. who are two ugly, smelly, nasty, stupid people who spend their lives playing horrible tricks on each other.  Find out how they get their just desserts with the help of the exotic Roly-Poly bird and the Muggle-wump family. . . . . Look out for the 10 copies of ‘The Twits’ that have been left around Stowmarket. Please take one, read it and then leave it somewhere for someone else to enjoy!

Artist Juliet Lockhart will be at the Museum to help create Twit Art from recycled materials; including jumping jack monkeys and bottle birds. At 3pm a Grand Finale, the Great Escape, will take place, Twit balloons with messages from everyone who comes along will be released.

Abbot’s Hall Barn, Museum of East Anglian Life

Admission is £6.50 for adults and children age 6 –14 yrs are FREE (no more than 3 children per adult). There is no extra charge for the activities.

This year’s programme features plenty of local talent alongside guests from the top drawer of traditional folk music. The annual event has become extremely popular with many musicians, singers and dancers who would normally be found on the guest list of other festivals around the country, so you never know quite who else is going to appear during the day.

Guests appearing this year include:

• Michael Wright, a passionate and exciting player of the Jew’s Harp - a very ancient instrument - and has an unparalleled knowledge of the instrument’s history. Appearing with Michael are his brother David and niece Lucy, in a unique trio of jew’s harps.

• JigJaw combine four impressive talents in percussive dancing and vocal harmonies. Their distinctive performances draw on mouth music, nonsense rhymes and dances from Britain and beyond.

• Sam Lee, “the most accomplished and authentic interpreter of traditional English song to emerge in years” as one national review put it recently. Sam is a young singer with a compelling style and unusual repertoire, and brings with him Dogan Mehmet, a young performer equally at home in the Turkish tradition as the English one, from his band Sam Lee and the Gillie Boys.

• Wall Star Village Band are from the far north-east of England - just south of Hadrian’s Wall - and play the rants and reels of their local area on Northumbrian smallpipes and concertina, fiddle and piano. They’ll be providing lively music for the afternoon ceilidh, with caller Dave Hunt leading you through the moves with his infectious sense of humour.

• The Boat Band bring the little-known music of the Lakeland area to life with skill and pzazz on melodeon, fiddle, banjo and guitar.

• Jim Ward & Will Duke both hail from Sussex and are greatly influenced by their local traditions. Will returns to Traditional Music Day with more gems from his store of wonderful tunes and songs, whilst Jim is a newcomer to the event and specialises in Music Hall songs and monologues.

• Old Hat Concert Party - this informal group of East Anglian musicians, stepdancers, singers and story-tellers has been going for nearly 30 years and still comes together for a celebration every Traditional Music Day!

A one-off programme of special events, ‘Mouth Music’, features mouthorgan-players, whistles and “diddling” – singing for dancing as well as a lecture on the history of the jew’s harp by Michael Wright.

The day also features a chance to see the unique Museum of British Folklore on its only visit to Suffolk. Curator Simon Costin has put together a quirky exhibition of artefacts and artworks illustrating British traditions and is touring it in a caravan during this summer to raise interest in his proposal to establish a permanent national museum of folklore. There are also photographic exhibitions from Suffolk County Council’s Traveller Education Service – “Romany Roots” and from the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust – “Blaxhall Traditions”.

The event is very family-friendly, with all the attractions of the museum, including a play area and nature trail, as well as craft, dance and musical activities for children.

Events run from 11am to 5.30pm and include:
• Stepdance Special – the biggest annual gathering of stepdancers, featuring
many from East Anglia, including a number from Gypsy families. Stepdancing is a lively informal version of tap dancing, and is now attracting a lot of interest from younger people.
• Concert programme throughout the day featuring special guests (due to limited space,
concerts are accessible only to advance ticket-holders)
• Singing sessions for all to join in with, or listen
• Big music session featuring fiddles, concertinas, melodeons and dulcimers
• Ceilidh (barn dance) with Northumbrian band “Wall Star Village Band” and caller Dave Hunt
• Have-a-go sessions – a chance to try out traditional instruments including squeezeboxes and tin whistles or our unique collection of traditional dancing dolls, also a chance to make your own instrument from junk – for all the family!

The day will be opened by Mrs Vera Waspe, the Mayor of Stowmarket, at 10.30am.

Further event information

Special day tickets are available in advance from the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust, which give access to all events, space permitting. Closing date for advance tickets is Thursday 3rd September. On the day, ordinary museum tickets can be bought, together with a programme, which allows entry to all outdoor events, but not the concert programme.

Locally produced food and real ales will be available on site throughout the day.

Further details about the events and guests can be found at www.eatmt.org.uk on the Traditional Music Day page. The website also has a full timetable and tickets details. Further information from: the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust on 01449 771090.

The annual event, which takes place on Saturday 8^th and Sunday 9^th August is a popular event for nostalgia lovers and families looking for a great day out.

‘This year we have more engines at work and vintage vehicles, as well as the usual steam engines and crafts,’ says Collections Manager, Lisa Harris.

These include a working sawbench, corn mill and thrashing drum, as well as vintage tractors from members of the local David Brown Tractor Club, taking it in turns to show off their skills on the Museums demonstration field. ‘

There will be a short road-run of commercial vehicles ranging in size from a Light Utility Land Rover to a massive Scammell Explorer through Stowmarket Town Centre at 2pm on the Sunday.
Once the gates are open at 10am Saturday and 11am Sunday, visitors to the Museum site can also expect to see and ‘have a go’ at a variety of traditional crafts, from spinning to printing.
The 10 steam traction engines on site will be taking part in the Museums 7^th Steam Engine Driver Training Event. This involves pre-booked students learning the basics of engine ownership, maintenance and use from the engine owners themselves. The course continues to be as popular as ever, with many students co

ming back time and again to work with these magnificent machines.

Normal Museum admission applies: adults £6.50, concs £5.50, child £3.50, various family tickets available.

The spectaular Dance Tent at MEAL

Dance for everyone to participate, watch and enjoy

DanceEast's Spiegeltent tour will be the first of its kind in East Anglia. This beautiful wooden structure has a dazzling interior of mirrored booths surrounding a wooden dance floor, creating the perfect intimate space for dance performances, workshops and classes, or simply a relaxing drink at the bar, along with a host of after dance surprises!

An exciting range of activities will be on offer from children's workshops and Indian Classical Dance to Flamenco and Street Dance, along with performances by national and international dance artists, providing a fun way to enjoy dance, make friends and learn new skills during the summer.

The tent is visiting rural and urban areas across East Anglia, and will provide an opportunity to try something different in a fun and relaxed environment. If you have never experienced dance before, then the Spectacular Dancing Tent is the perfect place to start!

The Dancing Tent will be coming to the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket on 15 July - 26 July

Full Suffolk programme can be downloaded here http://www.danceeast.co.uk/assets/downloads/Programme_of_events.pdf

If you would like any information regarding workshops, live performances or would like to make a booking, please contact Dance East on: -

Box Office: 01473 295237/01473 639230

Date: Thursday 18th June - Sunday 21st June 2009

Venue: Museum of East Anglian Life

Press contact: Lisa Harris - Collections Manager or Patsy Cane - Office Manager on 01449 612229 or online.

The Museum of East Anglian Life in association with CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale, kicks off its 13th Beer Festival on Thursday 18th June. The event which runs through to the Sunday afternoon of 21st June is perhaps the Museums most celebrated annual event. Visitors will have the chance to sample up to 60 East Anglian real ales and a number of ciders. The festival takes place in the beautiful setting of the museum's 14th century Abbots Hall barn.

Museum Director, Tony Butler reckons that the museum is the ideal venue for an ale festival. "Stowmarket has a long history of brewing. There are former hop beds on the museum site near to the Rattlesden River. Although there is no longer a brewery in the town, companies like Muntons have helped the town retain its malting Traditions."

Opening Hours are:

• Thursday 6pm - 11pm
• Friday 12noon - 11pm
• Saturday 11am - 11pm
• Sunday 12noon - 3pm

Admission: £2 to Beer Festival only.
Normal Admission for visiting the Museum (includes the Beer Festival, £6.50/£5.50).

CAMRA members free admission to beer festival.

The Museum’s Sustainable Learning Officer, Jo Rooks says, “During these times of economic uncertainty, when we are all trying to save money, the Good Life Festival gives us all a chance to find ways to improve our lives without spending a lot. You can find out how to grow your own food, join a sewing group, use local producers or give some of your time by volunteering. All of these things can make you happier and do not cost a fortune.”

Come and sample local produce, watch or join in with some fun and interesting demonstrations and find out about your local organisations.  BBC Radio Suffolk will be here all day with their radio car. Learn how to produce your own food with the Suffolk Smallholders Association and the Young Farmers, learn about recycling on the Recycling Bus, have a go at belly dancing with Bellycise, try some local Aspall’s cider and much, much more!   

For the children we have mini ride-on tractors, games, activities and the Museum farm animals for them to meet.

Entry to the Museum is included in the ticket price so you can explore our historic buildings, take a look at the Museum’s fascinating collections, have a walk along the Nature Trail as well as joining in with the fun of the Good Life. You are welcome to bring a picnic or try our delicious food at the Museum Bistro and make a day of it.

Monday 4th  May 2009

Why not join us to celebrate the coming of May and the start of springtime by joining in our Annual May Day Celebration.

Dancing round the Maypole, Morris dancers, traditional music and jig dolls are coming to the Museum of East Anglian Life on Bank Holiday Monday 4^thMay 2009 !

Throughout the day we will be encouraging all ages to join us in dancing round the Museums Maypole and welcoming the Green Dragon Morris Dancers who will dance at 12:30 and 2:30pm.  They are a mixed group of men and women dancers who aim to have fun with flamboyance and finesse!  The children - the  " Morris Minors " - make a significant contribution to the energy of the side.

For the children we also have a Green Man hunt around the Museum along with a Green Man mask-making workshop (no need to book).  The dances chosen for the maypole will be simple, and basic instruction will be given on the day.

Especially for this year May Day sees the launch of a new online exhibition 'When Were We Happy'. The exhibition uses four time periods to compare and contrast the well-being and happiness of the people that lived in the village of Stowupland, near Stowmarket, in the years 1851, 1901, 1951 and now.

Why not come along and join in, relive memories of your childhood, learn about the traditions of May Day for the first time or have a look at our new exhibition. 

There will be an exciting Easter Egg Hunt which will take you all over the Museum buildings and grounds that are bursting into life at this time of year.

Our activity room will be bustling with an art workshop that is free to all visitors who have paid their entry into the Museum. Come along to make your own set of bouncing bunny ears, get your face painted and much more. 

Mid Suffolk District Council are attending with their  recycling / home composting stand as well as children's activities such as papermaking / origami plant pots & bee homes.  Meet the Museum Team in the polytunnel for a seed workshop, visit the Pinks for a printed poster and more.

Estate Ranger  Archie Gemmel will lead a guided walk and talk through our Award winning River Rattlesden Nature Reserve at 2.00pm.

Come and enjoy the family fun day with us.

The aim of the weekend is to give training in the working of all variants of road steam engines and the opportunity to acquire the basic skills of driving, along with the responsibilities associated with engine management. 

There will be a nominal cost of £155 for the weekend. This is to cover the costs of coal, engine owner's minimal expenses, course training notes, and a certificate of attendance. A special voucher can also be supplied in advance if you would like to use this as a gift - just let us know.

On the Saturday evening we hope to hold a social event at the Museum. The evening will be a ticketed event but will be open to everyone involved with the Museums Steam and Traditional Crafts event along with their families, etc.

If you would like to book your place on this event please contact Lisa Harris at the Museum for a booking form on 01449 612229 or lisa.harris@eastanglianlife.org.uk

The museum is open from 22 March to 31 October 10-5 Mon-Sat 11-5 Sun.

For details of admission prices contact the Museum on 01449 612229 or check the website on www.eastanglianlife.org.uk