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Details of our current exhibitions and other events are on our 'What's On' page. You can visit the 'Friends' page to catch up on social and fundraising events, and follow the links to other excellent sites.
Latest coins news...
The Thornbury Roman Coin Hoard
Our new exhibition tells three stories, one about this special Roman Coin Hoard, 11,460 nummi, a second about how it was found in Thornbury, and a third about the journey from discovery to display. Thornbury Roman Coin Hoard.
A hoard of 11,460 small coins, from the time of Constantine the Great, were found in a back garden in Thornbury. A small number has been loaned to us by Bristol Museum where the main bulk of the hoard can now be seen in a new display and interpretation station.
Nummi were the lowest denomination Roman coin and made from copper alloy with a tiny trace of silver. Why were there so many in one earthenware jar? Who left them there? What were they saved for? What would have marked the spot in the 4th century? Why did no one come back for them? Unfortunately we do not have any of these answers!
But we will have a competition for the best story, so start speculating...
Trying to be green! We recycle as much as possible; paper, cardboard, glass, plastic containers, metal, obsolete computer parts. We reuse envelopes, wood, computer parts, paper, anything we can find a home for. We reduce energy comsumption as far as possible in an old building and reuse as much paper as possible before recycling waste. We use environmentally friendly cleaning materials, free trade coffee and walk and cycle as often as we can.
More light at the museum!
Our master painter and decorator, Phil, has been hard at work lightening our display rooms by replacing some of the green paint with white and magnolia. The green was chosen as our 'corporate colour' to make the museum quiet and restful and to set off the exhibits, but it had become rather too dark. The new look has drawn many compliments and we owe thanks to our entire DIY team, mainly Brian, Keith, Martin, Vern and Phil.
Thornbury Museum is now 21 years old -
In 1985 a bequest was made of a wonderful collection of artefacts belonging to an Oldbury lady called Mary Bruton. This formed the basis of the museum's collection and the first public exhibition was mounted in November 2006. From that date the museum has displayed an amazing range of exhitions, some professionally produced, some loaned by local groups and societies, and some produced by museum volunteers to a very high standard. The museum building is very small - just see what we can pack in!
All through our first 21 years we have been supported by our local councils and many funding agencies. We run on a very tight and restricted budget but manage, through the generosity of public and private benefactors, to make changes and improvements through special projects, such as the new porch building, and the current Coins project.
(Read more about the history of the museum by collecting a free fact sheet from the museum shop.)
A beautiful 21st birthday cake was created by Thornbury's Jean Cox, featuring a perfect reproduction of the museum's logo. The cake was cut by Sandi Shallcross, Chairman of the Trust, Paul Wildgoose, former chairman, and Mayor of Thornbury Bob Griffin.
Many thanks to everyone who made the celebrqtion evening last November so successful and enjoyable.
Research?
New Location. The Thornbury Museum Research Group now meets at the United Reformed Church on the first Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm to exchange, request and chat about photos, documents, snippets, anecdotes, or anything to do with the history of Thornbury, its homes and families and trades and professions. Please use the main entrance on Chapel Street, doors unlocked promptly at 7.30. Wheel chair access not a problem!
The Thornbury Geology Group meets at The Chantry on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm. Members bring along any interesting specimens they have collected either locally or sometimes from the distant countries. We discuss latest events and developments in Earth Sciences, and have a regular spot for beginners to find out more about any topic they like. We welcome beginners, amateurs and professionals equally!
The Archaeology Group is currently evaluating the finds from the excavation at The Chantry in 2006 but also helping out with other projects at the museum and taking an occasional trip further afield. Please contact the museum for more details.
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