The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
The Staffordshire Hoard 13 February – 7 March
A stunning selection of around 80 artefacts from the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found, including significant items never before been seen in public. This is the first time that the hoard will be displayed in the county in which it was found. The Staffordshire Hoard will redefine the Dark Ages.
To celebrate this unparalleled display of treasure there will be numerous activities at all Stoke-on-Trent’s museum sites. See individual listings for location, date, time and activity. Throughout the exhibition at the museum there will be Anglo-Saxon re-enactors, storytelling and quizzes.
The Saxons and their Gold.
On Saturday 27 February there will be a full day of free activities for adults and children. The Poor Knights of St Chads, a local Anglo-Saxon re-enactment group, will be on hand to illustrate the social and domestic living conditions of the time. There will be demonstrations of bonework, leatherwork and coin striking. You will also be able to discover facts about the clothing, cooking and other domestic matters as well as a number of games which can be tried by the public. In addition this will be your chance to try on armour of the period, particularly relevant as the Hoard consists primarily of war related items.
To compliment this there will be a display of real live birds of prey, including a Peregrine Falcon, Hunting Owl, Wood Owl and Lanner Falcon. The Anglo-Saxon kings were the first to adopt falconry and birds of the hunt were used as powerful images to project supremacy and prestige. In addition there will be presentations on birds in legend and folklore and some period table games related to hunting.
This will also be your chance to watch an early Anglo-Saxon burial display where you can discover the facts surrounding the reasons for placing grave goods with the body. For the more arty minded children you can make a Saxon-style cross or brooch inspired by the Staffordshire Hoard.
Stoke Your Fires Festival of Animation. 30 January – 28 February.
See a display of models and characters from the world of animation and explore the fascinating world of traditional animation, stop-motion and computer generated imagery through exciting activities and events.
Animation in Action. 15 – 19 February.
Use different techniques to create your own animated classic. Drop-in workshop. 11am – 4-pm. Free. For the greater enthusiast a more in-depth workshop will be held at The City Central Library at the cost of £3, lunch not included. Please book at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.
Make your own Valentine card. Saturday 13 February
In conjunction with the Romantic Proposal exhibition which explores the rituals of courtship from the medieval to the contemporary, you will be able to make your own Valentine card. Include your own poem in your card or write a poem in the poetry workshop.
The event takes place at The City Central Library at 10am – 12pm and at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery at 1 – 4pm.
Under Wraps. 16 – 18 February.
Make a box for someone special. Drop-in 10.30am – 4pm. £1.
Chinese New Year. Saturday 20 February
Join in with the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese New Year festivities as the local Chinese community celebrate the Year of the Tiger. The activities begin in a spectacular way at 11am with the Lion dance, a short fireworks display and firecrackers.
During the event there will be ribbon dancing, Chinese tumbling, a magician, balloon modelling, martial arts displays, lion dancing and the magnificent dragon dance. There will be stalls outside the museum demonstrating Chinese arts and crafts and the opportunity to buy Chinese food.
In the museum theatre children from the local Chinese community will perform traditional song and dance. There will also be a short performance of Cantonese Opera with the artists dressed in beautifully ornate costumes accompanied by live Chinese musicians.
Children will be able to take part in Origami, Chinese painting and paper cutting workshops for a small charge. This will be a full fun packed day with plenty to do for children and adults whilst learning more about a different culture.
Gladstone Pottery Museum
Victorian Romance – Magic Lantern Show. Sunday 13 February.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Victorian view of romance in a show complied and performed by the British Magic Lantern Theatre. Performances 1.30 – 4pm. Free with admission. In addition you will be able to enjoy a special Valentine’s day lunchtime carvery. Please call 01782 234098 for details and bookings.
Love Lives On. 15 – 19 February.
Decorate a ceramic flower or figure for the one you love. 10am – 4pm. Prices from £1 plus admission.
Anglo-Saxon Stories. 16 February.
The costumed re-enactors of the Poor Cnights of St. Chad will be on hand to tell visitors about life in the Anglo-Saxon period. 10am – 4pm. Free with admission.
Heartfelt Messages. 18 February.
Stamp a message to a special person on a clay heart. 11am – 4pm. 50p plus admission.
Ford Green Hall
Hearts and Roses. 14 February.
Make a unique card for your special Valentine. Drop-in, 1 – 4pm. 50p plus admission.
Ruff it! 15 – 18 February.
Use your creative skills to produce a Tudor ruff. Drop-in, 1 – 4pm. 50p plus admission.
Off with her Head! 18 February.
Come and hear the tales of the grisly executioner and discover the consequences of upsetting the King of England in Tudor times. Meet Gilbert Savage and see the ‘tools of his trade’ including a ‘Berlin’ axe, block and shackles. Also on display at the Hall are reproduction costumes as worn by Henry VIII and his wives. 10am – 4pm. 50p plus admission.
Illuminating the Saxons. Sunday 21 February.
Watch calligrapher Kerry Richardson create hauntingly beautiful illuminated manuscripts inspired by Saxon and Celtic knotwork. 1 – 4pm.