Heritage spring workshops

Learn something new with workshops at Peterborough Museum, Flag Fen Archaeology Park and Longthorpe Tower this spring! With its most expansive programme to date, new workshops for 2015 include traditional hedgelaying and an exhilarating Birds of Prey Experience!

All workshops are suitable for beginners unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee are included for all workshops; lunch is included on full-day and weekend workshops. Pre-booking for workshops is essential and is recommended for lectures. For tickets please contact Peterborough Museum on 01733 864663 or  

Watercolours
Peterborough Museum 7 February; 28 February, 10am – 4pm
Join professional painting tutor David Swinton, exhibiting at Peterborough Museum this month, to discover the secrets of watercolour that books don’t reveal! Learn basic skills such as plain and graded washes, wet-in-wet, drybrush and scumble, then use these to paint an original landscape. At the end, you’ll take home all the equipment you’ll need to put your new skills into action.
Tutor: David Swinton.
£55

Calligraphy
Peterborough Museum 8 February, 10am – 4pm
Discover the fundamental principles of calligraphy. Learn the foundational script using a dip pen and ink, and explore how to construct letters through demonstrations and individual practice. With personalised support, you’ll create a bookmark, greetings card or short quotation. Plus, take home all the equipment to continue to explore this new skill!
Tutor: Christine Robinson.
£55

Basket weaving
Peterborough Museum 1 March, 10am – 5pm Make your own large, tray-like basket from willow using round stake and strand basketmaking. The expert tutor will guide you through traditional techniques such as tying in the slath, slyping, staking up, pairing, randing, three rod wale and a three rod border. With a variety of coloured willows available, each basket will be unique!
Tutor: Sue Kirk.
£60

Spinning and weaving
Flag Fen Archaeology Park 7 March, 10am – 4pm
Create your own cloth using ancient skills. Learn how to spin and ply wool using a drop spindle – a technique which dates back to prehistory. Then weave your thread on either a handheld heddle loom or using the tablet weaving method. Plus, take home all the equipment you’ll need to continue with your new skills!
Tutor: Chris Carr.
£60

Uncial calligraphy
Peterborough Museum 8 March, 10am – 4pm
Perfect for those who have some experience of calligraphy, in this workshop you will learn how to construct the uncial script. Through tutor demonstrations and individual practice, you will write a short quotation and use simple decorative elements to enhance the text. Materials will be available for purchase at this workshop if required.
Tutor: Christine Robinson.
£50

Birds of Prey Experience
Flag Fen Archaeology Park 15 March, 9:30am – 3:30pm
A workshop you’ll never forget! Discover the fascinating heritage of falconry in the UK, meet hawks, falcons, and even owls and learn more about these amazing birds. With Master Falconer and his experienced team on hand, you’ll then be able to handle and fly birds yourself in the beautiful surrounds of Flag Fen. Plus, take home your own falconry glove as a souvenir of the day!
Tutor: Gary Baxter.
£140

Hedgelaying
Flag Fen Archaeology Park 21-22 March, 10am – 4pm
Spend the weekend learning the ancient art of hedgelaying under the expert eye of an experienced tutor. A traditional countryside skill practised for hundreds of years, this hedge management technique uses hand tools to create a beautiful border that is perfect for wildlife. Participants will learn practical skills by laying a length of overgrown hedge on-site.
Tutor: John Shone.
£99

Medieval illuminated manuscripts
Longthorpe Tower 28 March, 10am – 4pm
In this introduction to illuminated manuscripts, you will be guided through how to apply real gold leaf using various traditional techniques. In the inspirational medieval surroundings of Longthorpe Tower, you will then create a small medieval design in watercolour and 24 carat gold leaf to take home.
Tutor: Toni Watts.
£60

For more information, visit www.vivacity-peterborough.com