🧢 Never Mind The Aurochs!
Derby Museums is inviting its visitors to explore the hidden worlds of bedrock and earth to the human story on the surface through EarthBound, a stunning and spectacular exhibition of sculpture, portrait photography and tiny but powerful creatures blown up to a huge scale, now on show at the Museum of Making until 18 January. Photographers Kate Bellis and Alex Hyde, alongside sculptor Sally Matthews, gave the initial igniting energy to the exhibition, which explores the human connection to the natural landscape and the world around us, with a particular focus on the landscapes of Derbyshire. The sculptures by Sally Matthews prowl the gallery space - extinct animals vividly brought back to life, sculpted from compost, grass, feathers and grasses found in the areas where these beasts once roamed. Admission is free.
🧢 This week’s ‘Top Pick’ @WeightmanPR: A snapshot of 1925
A time capsule, buried beneath the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, exactly 100 years ago, has been unearthed - as part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary celebrations. King George V was officially visiting Stoke to lay the foundation stone for the new hospital. But at a reception afterwards, he surprised the gathering by announcing that he was granting Stoke-on-Trent city status. Items locked away within in time for the past 100 years include a letter to the King from the Chairman of the NSRI; a copy of the fundraising note shared across the area; a copy of the NSRI history 1802-1902; an official Royal Parchment signed by King George V and Queen Mary; a Royal Trowel set; copies of the local Evening Sentinel; a pristine copy of the 5 June 1925 Daily Mail; and a full programme for the day’s events. The aim is to put everything on show alongside the wooden box and lead lid in the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery during the centenary year.
🧢 It’s all about Hydrangea in Derby
Derby City Council began the hydrangea collection in 1984 at the request of Plant Heritage whose purpose is to stop plant species becoming extinct. Since April 2010 Hydrangea Derby, a voluntary group, has maintained and developed the garden in partnership with Derby City Council Parks Department. Within the hydrangea garden is the National Collection of Hydrangea paniculata containing more than 150 different cultivars. The Hydrangea Derby Open Day will be held on Sunday 10 August from 10am to 3pm. The volunteers will be on hand to answer your hydrangea-related questions. If you would like to join a guided tour of the garden at 11am and 2pm, meet opposite the cafe.
🧢 Cheers to Stoke-on-Trent’s 40th Beer and Cider Festival
Stoke-on-Trent’s 40th Beer and Cider Festival is making a very welcome return to the Kings Hall on 15 to 18 October, and will feature over 140 ales and more than 50 ciders and perry made by breweries from Staffordshire and across the UK. The festival will run as part of the city’s centenary celebrations, Advanced tickets will be available shortly on CAMRA’s Tckty link. Titanic Brewery, based in Burslem - the so-called “Mother Town of The Potteries” - meanwhile, has teamed up with the city council to produce a limited edition of ‘Century Anniversary Ale’ this year. The 4.7% ABV amber ale will be sold in bottles, cans and will be available on cask in pubs across Staffordshire.