Warwickshire News Mine

The library, run by Warwickshire County Council, and the Warwick District Council-managed museum will both launch a box based on their local studies collections. 

The boxes will be launched at an event running from 3.30 until 6.00 in which the public can go along to the Pump Rooms and join in a series of Victorian-themed events.

Visitors can handle Victorian objects such as dolly pegs and the slate and pencil that were used in schools of the day.  There are also costumes to wear including that of a poor boy and one from a more wealthy family.

Arts and crafts activities, suitable for all the family, will feature making Christmas ornaments.  And local historian, Janet Storrie, will read from ‘The Elephants of Leamington Spa’ and remind visitors of the time, over 100 years ago, when several elephants lived in the town as part of a circus troupe.

Ashleigh Jayes, Heritage Interpretation Officer at Leamington Library, Art Gallery & Museum said:  “Leamington Spa grew immensely during the Victorian period and much of what people recognise about the town dates back to this era.  Victorian Day is a chance for all the family to find out a bit about the town’s celebrated past.”
At 10.30 on the same day, Leamington Library will also launch its new Family History Group.  Members can get together and use the local studies resources and the People’s Network of computers to find out more about their ancestry.  However as Warwickshire Libraries’ Judith Harridge points out, there is a lot more on offer to members.

She says:  “The group, whilst primarily set up to help people trace their families’ histories, will also be a social activity.  And members will soon be able to share nuggets of information, gained through personal experience that no book or website can teach, which will be of immense benefit to fellow members.”

Tuesday 5 December, 3.30pm – 6.00pm
Victorian Leamington
Leamington Spa Library, Art Gallery & Museum
The Royal Pump Rooms

Link to WCC