Newsletters
The Friends publish a Newsletter three times a year.
Here are our previous Newletters - which you can download.
Newsletter Issue 13 - December 2011
Our Issue 13 includes ....
A reminder that the current exhibition ends soon.
The retirement of Betty Knight from the Committee.
Janet Bradshaw's fascinating talk about life at Tatton.
A disappointing talk on salt routes by Anthony Poulton-Smith.
Michael Lea-O'Mahoney's excellent talk on the Civil War in Cheshire.
Our Christmas Social of a Tudor Christmas by Tom Hughes and the museum team.
A record attendance of 477 in October.
The failure to yet appoint a Keeper of Social and Community History.
The decision to replace the glossy brochure with something less costly.
A request for a volunteer to replace Betty Knight.
The change in the issue of membership cards to save us money.
An invitation to join us in a visit to the Museum of Policing in Cheshire.
An invitation to join us on a visit to Winsford Museum Store.
And of course our Calendar of events from January to June.
And more ...
Newsletter Issue 12 - September 2011
Our Issue 12 includes ...
Introduction to our new exhibition about 'The Curious World of Professor Josiah Mace'.
Mark Bevan spoke to us about 'Salt, Slavery and Cheshire'.
Friends visit to Blackden Trust.
Tom Hughes introduced us to Cheshire's Minstrels.
Friends guided tour around the gardens and ruins of Norton Priory.
Janet Bradshaw dressed up as nine people of Tatton estate and gave us their history.
An invitation to join us for a talk by Anthony Poulton-Smith about 'Salt Routes'.
An invitation to hear about 'Cheshire's Civil War' by Michael Lea-O'Mahoney.
An invitation to join us for a 'Tudor Yuletide'.
Our Visit England award.
Film Club news.
Change in management of the Museum.
And of course our Calendar of Events.
And more ...
Newsletter Issue 11 - May 2011
Our Issue 11 includes ....
An introduction to the Exhibition in the New Gallery about Life in a Market Town.
The Friends' provision of a new television in the gallery.
The Friends' commissioning of a painting by Bernice Barrett-Brown.
An invitation to join us on a visit to Blackden Trust.
An invitation to join us on a visit to Norton Priory.
Nigel Dibben spoke to us about the history of mining at Alderley Edge.
Betty Knight reported on an actual visit to the mines.
A report by Angela Jones on our visit to Lion Salt Works prior to renovation.
An energetic and frightening talk on the Vikings by Ian Uzzell.
A sad goodbye to Matt Wheeler our curator to pastures new.
Information on the new arrangements at Weaver Hall Museum.
And of course our Calendar of events.
And more ...
Newsletter Issue 10 - January 2011
Our Issue 10 includes ....
An introduction to our new editor Jenny Tyson
The AGM and our successful transition to Friends of Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse.
Introduction to our new website at www.fowhm.org.uk
Presentation by Peter Middleton and the plans for transformation of the Lion Salt Works.
The exhibition 'I Had One of Those’.
Dr Jane Laughton's talk on Medieval Trade Links in Chester.
Nigel Richards introduced us to Victorian Optical Toys.
Some exciting forthcoming events.
Report from the curator.
And more...
A few new membership rules for clarification.Newsletter Issue 9 - September 2010
Our Issue 9 includes ....
An article from Jenny, our Chair, in place of Curator’s Corner.
In it Jenny gives information on the proposed changes to our constitution. This is important as it affects all members, so please take the time to read it thoroughly.
Also inside:
Launch Night - Weaver Hall Museum.
Visit to Blackden Trust.
In The Footsteps of Scott and Shackleton.
Each man in his way is a treasure, each man’s treasures stand as testimony to the man.
What does membership of the Friends entitle you to?
Signed document from 1872 acquired.
Dedication of the Library to Lady Rochester.
Exhibition Highly Commended in this years Museums & Heritage Awards.
And more...
Our Issue 8 includes ....
Farewell to the Salt Museum, hello Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse.
This really is the last time I write to you as Curator of the Salt Museum.
As of Tuesday 1 June 2010 we will become Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse.
Northwich Heritage week runs from Monday 31 May through until Sunday 6 June. It will involve Anderton Boat Lift, Lion Salt Works, the Pumping Station, Witton Church, and the Salt Museum
Newsletter Issue 7 - January 2010
Our Issue 7 includes ....
2009 proved to have been an exceptionally good year for the Friends and the museum.
Membership is up and visitor numbers have repeatedly broken monthly record figures.
Lets hope that 2010 will be even better, as you can see by the line up of events up to summer we are off to a good start.
Newsletter Issue 6 - September 2009
Our Edition 6 includes ....
We say hello to two co-opted members of the committee, both of whom will be standing for election at the next A.G.M. We also will be losing one of our long serving committee members at the A.G.M. as she retires from active involvement.
We have reports, by members, on various evening talks such as ‘Shipbuilding on the River Weaver’, ‘Cheshire’s Lowland Search and Rescue Unit’ and a day out at ‘Meadow Bank Farm.’ In addition there were two exhibition launches since the last issue, ‘Jumelage/Amitie (Twinning & Friendship)‘ and ‘Art By Chips.’
In ‘Curator’s Corner’ we get inside information on the next major exhibition ‘Above the Clouds – Mallory & Irvine’s Quest for Everest.’
Our Issue 5 includes ....
2009 is a significant year for us, we reached our tenth anniversary and the museum, and thus the Friends, now face change in being part of a new authority - Cheshire West & Chester. You can read more about this in ‘Curator’s Corner’ on page 4.
Inside are reports of recent events and news items such as notes on the Friends exclusive visit to Stretton Watermill and the museum playing host to ‘Cheshires Best Kept Stations 2008’.
Newsletter Issue 4 - January 2009
Our Issue 4 includes ....
Forthcoming Events
We start 2009 with the launch of the exhibition ‘Image & Identity - Faces of Romans and Britons in the North West’ on Friday 16 January ....
On Tuesday 3 February the Friends of the Salt Museum will be 10 years old and we will be giving way free membership to the first two visitors each day during that week ....
Recent Events
The Friends ‘Christmas
Social’ event was held on Tuesday 9 December with a Fiendish quiz of 100 questions, sending us into all the galleries, up and down the stairs ....
The last evening talk of 2008, ‘A Trip Down the History of the River Weaver - Winsford to Witton’ was by local historian and fellow Friend Colin Edmondson on 25 November ....
The A.G.M. was held on 23 October and was followed with a talk by Alison Taylor, Marketing Manager and Mark Beabo, Production Director, both representatives of Joseph Heler Ltd ....
Curator’s Corner
Image and Identity: Face to face with our Roman Ancestors is a new Exhibition opening on 17 January. This special exhibition is supported by Renaissance, a national scheme to transform England's regional museums. In addition it is accompanied by special workshops for schools and on 18 & 19 February family activity days ....
Newsletter Issue 3 - October 2008
Our Issue 3 includes ....
Andrew Fielding, Project Director of the Lion Salt Works gave a talk, 30 September, on ‘The Restoration of The Lion Salt Works.’ We were also shown how the site will look once all the work ....
34 Friends went on the ‘Away Day’ visit to The National Memorial Arboretum & Lichfield. I’m happy to say that it was a very successful event and that the whole day went without a hitch ....
On the 19 June Richard York entertained us with the sounds of traditional instruments from Medieval times. Richard deserves a special vote of thanks as he developed shingles that day but still came in. Thanks also go to Tom, who ....
11 September saw the launch of the exhibition ‘Sketches From The Front’ a fascinating collection of sketches and paintings by WH Hutchings (1885-1962) ....
We are lucky enough to have exhibitors from the recent Boxed In - An Art in Gardens Exhibition, provide us with details of how they were inspired to produce their work ....
3 July saw 27 Friends visited Mount Pleasant Gardens, at Kelsall. We were given a guided tour by the owners followed by refreshments and then time ....
Cheshire FM: Live from the Salt Museum. If you were listening on Tuesday 12th August, you would have heard Matt giving a potted-history of Museum ....
Curator’s Corner - Looking Back ... Looking Forward.
As Autumn is now upon us and the nights start to draw in, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the summer at the Salt Museum ....
Newsletter Issue 2 - June 2008
Our Issue 2 includes ....
The Changing Face of Farming in Cheshire.
Keith Siddorn, of Meadow Bank Farm, Broxton gave a presentation 13 May on how things have changed from the perspective of a farmer ....
Farming in Cheshire 2007-8.
The ‘tea and talks’ at the Salt Museum are becoming famous! A large group of farmers from Shropshire joined us this time to hear Matt’s talk ....
100 Years of Farming in Cheshire.
On 29 April Michael Mulliner, a retired local farmer, gave a talk on farming life with many old family photographs used to illustrate how life used to be ....
The Quality of Mersey!
A talk by Hugh Beggs, retired schoolmaster, on March 11. Did you know that although the Mersey is World famous it is only 20 miles long ....
Saxon Life in Cheshire.
Have you ever smelled salted bacon that is 3 months old or felt the weight of a Saxon shield? Do you know the true meaning of ‘Northwich’ in Saxon times ....Farming In Cheshire, Past & Present.
The exhibition was, as mentioned in our previous newsletter, launched on April 9/10 and attracted over 80 people ....The Salt Museum was, for the second year in a row, short listed for a national award at the prestigious ‘Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence’ ....
Curator’s Corner - Beyond the Museum Walls.
Most of what we do here at the museum relates to the interior of the building – changing round the galleries, holding events and activities etc. But over the past couple of months our attention has been diverted to consider the external fabric of our Grade 2 listed building, built in 1839 as the Northwich Workhouse ....
Newsletter Issue 1 - March 2008
Our Issue 1 includes ....
Murray Jones retires from his role of Chair of The Friends and Jenny Tyson takes over. We have a chat to Jenny about how she sees the future of the Friends.
The Lancashire & Cheshire Photographic Union Centenary Exhibition opened in January and David Marsh, past President of the Union, gave a talk to Friends.
The Salt Museum played host to the Cheshire Best Kept Station Competition on January 22. Felicity Goodey, former BBC journalist and now taking the role of Chair of the Steering Group directing Cheshire’s Year of Gardens, was guest of honour.
Curators Corner: The Salt Museum acquires a Victorian funeral bier and a very rare postcard, published by the 1924 Mount Everest team.