1. Introduce yourself and tell us how you came about to be involved in the museum industry?
My name is Wendy Freer and I am a social historian. I also used to be a full time museum professional, working for Leicestershire Museum Service in the 1990s. As I live in Ashby it seemed a natural thing to become involved with the museum.
2. Tell us about your museum and why it is a great day out?
Visitors in the main gallery
Ashby Museum is a small but very lively independent museum run entirely by volunteers. We have permanent, professional standard displays which depict the history of Ashby from ancient times to the present day as well as photographs and artefacts from nearby villages. We also have a continually changing programme of temporary exhibitions on local themes so there is always something new to see. We run special fun days for children and have a programme of talks and coffee mornings. We can also organize guided walks for groups and our very extensive archives are available for consultation by local and family historians.
3. What sort of visitors does your museum most appeal to?
Local people and visitors to the town. Parents and children and those seeking to trace their family history.
4. What makes your museum different, sets it apart from others?
Children enjoying activities at a family fun day
High standard of display in the exhibition rooms, interest and fun for all ages for example, we have just created a series of very detailed, colourful and amusing cartoons which depict the history of Ashby from ancient times to the present day. These were hand painted by a local artist and recently won an award for Best Exhibition.
5. What do you have planned for the future? Any new exciting exhibits / experiences for guests?
A new temporary exhibition on Ashby Boys’ Grammar School opens week beginning 3rd October. A special “antiques evening” with professional auctioneers Bamfords of Derby on Friday 7th October.
Wednesday, 12th October sees Lady Selina Hastings and her sister, Lady Caroline Shackleton, come to the Museum to present us with their father’s coronation robes and coronets.
19th October at 7.30 is the first showing of a new film made by Ashby Museum’s film unit entitled “Ashby de la Zouch the Spa Town” a 60 minute documentary telling the story of how Ashby tried to become a fashionable spa in the early 19th century and showing what still remains in the town.
6. For a family of four how much would a day at your museum cost, including entry and food purchased on site?
Child using the dressing up clothes in the main gallery
£3 (£1 entry for adults, 50p for children and senior citizens) Children under 4 free. Also free entry for holders of tickets to Ashby Castle on the day of purchase.
Although we have a shop selling books and souvenirs etc. we do not sell food and drink on the premises. Coffee shops are nearby in the town. Refreshments are served at our regular coffee mornings.
Our website contains full details of all our events and services: http://ashbydelazouchmuseum.org.uk
