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Edward Bawden (1903 - 1989) Advertising
Material for The Titfield Thunderbolt: Christmas Card '
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We’ve
had an amazing 2012 and we’ve really enjoyed seeing so many people at events,
workshops and outreach sessions throughout Bedford and the surrounding Borough.
But we’re looking forward to 2013 and the reopening even more.
During
2012 we’ve planned new displays, written thousands of object labels, moved the
office (back into The Higgins !) and
we’ve begun to move objects back to the new store. So far we’ve moved over 1000
boxes or 5,351 artefacts back to The Higgins .
We’ve
been out and about too. We have worked with over 60 local groups and
organisations including schools, faith groups, residential homes, children’s
centres and youth clubs to reach new audiences, talk to people about our
collections and gather stories and material for future displays.
We’ve also been out to deliver outreach sessions to
over 6,000 school children.
We’ve travelled 484 (nearly 500!) miles in search
of archaeology with our young archaeologists group, SAW.
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| SAW on a visit to Dunstable Downs in September 2012 |
We’ve had lots of help from
audiences, participating in events and helping to create content for the new
displays. At the River Festival and at Bedford International Athletic Stadium audiences had the opportunity to
choose objects to be shown in Collection Point, a display designed
to showcase the breadth and variety of The Higgins ’
Collections and to change over time. The most popular object was a glass mouse
made by Lalique.
We
held an election for Great Bedfordians at Heritage Open Day in September 2012.
The event offered audiences the opportunity to vote for their favourite Great
Bedfordian, or to nominate a new Great Bedfordian if their favourite was not
already on the list. In the end, Trevor Huddleston won the day. The result of
the election will form part of the new People gallery when The Higgins reopens.
We
were very happy and proud to be made Leisure & Culture ‘Team of the Year’
by the Bedford Borough Council Adult Services Directorate. Here are our staff
and volunteers at the presentation with Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford and Cllr
Doug McMurdo, Portfolio Holder for Arts and Leisure.
