News
Awards Success for Dorset Museum!
April 20, 2022
Dorset Museum had a busy day on Thursday 7th April 2022 with award wins in both the South West Tourism Awards and the Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards.
After their Silver Award in the Dorset Tourism Awards, Dorset Museum has received the Bronze Award in the ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’ category at the South West Tourism Awards. Sponsored by Love to Visit. The award recognises large visitor attractions that provide exceptional visitor experiences and demonstrate excellence across each aspect of their business.
Hosted in Exeter, the awards ceremony saw over 90 finalists from its 476 entries from the region including Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Having reopened its doors in May 2021, Dorset Museum has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and allows visitors to experience 250 million years of Dorset’s history.
The Museum’s Commercial Director, Roger Maughan says: ‘The team at Dorset Museum are delighted to receive Bronze for this prestigious award at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards. This recognition is a credit to our wonderful staff, volunteers and trustees.’
To add to the festivities, Dorset Museum employee Amy Moore has also been named as a ‘Rising Star’ in the Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards. Sponsored by the Duchy of Cornwall, the award celebrates young individuals who show initiative, focus, hard work and adaptability. The Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards promote the range and quality of businesses in the area. This was presented by world-famous actor, writer, director and TV producer, Julian Fellowes.
Amy began working at the museum after graduating from the Arts University Bournemouth in June 2021. Amy says: ‘It’s an absolute privilege to be recognised as Rising Star at the Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards. As someone who is just starting in their career, the support I’ve had from my colleagues at the Museum has been limitless, the opportunities I’ve been given in such a short space of time have been invaluable.’
Paula Harding, who nominated Amy for the award says ‘Amy is, without doubt, a rising star. Her focus and hard work are apparent to all who meet her. We often forget how young Amy is as a result of her delivering excellent results time after time, but her youth has also helped us see how we can connect with a wider, younger, cohort and is invaluable to us in understanding where we can take the business going forward.’
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
The Victorian Hall will be hosting a private event on Friday 10th June 2022, all day and Saturday 11th June 2022, 12 noon to 5:00 pm, and therefore will be closed to visitors.
What's on
14 March to 12 June 2022
A Virus a Day Textile Art by Antje Rook
Antje Rook created the A Virus a Day quilt created in response to Covid-19. The Portland artist embroidered one virus for every day of the first 2020 UK lockdown while she was isolating with her partner.
Find out more28 May – 30 October 2022
Take a fresh look at the Victorian novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy, in the stunning Wessex landscapes that shaped his view of the world. His story will be retold in exciting new ways by our museum collections, from period costumes to personal letters, art to archaeology.
Find out more31 May 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Half Term ArtyFacts
Model theatre-making based on Hardy's novels and the model by Thomas Tilley for the Hardy Players in the Hardy's Dorset Gallery.
Find out more2 June 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Half Term ArtyFacts
Create your own wooden Victorian decoupage box using Victorian images and decoration in association with the Thomas Hardy exhibition and the Hardy's Dorset gallery. Younger children will be able to create simple Victorian collages.
Find out more11 June 2022, 10:30am - 12:00noon
Roman Town House Tours
A guided tour of one of the best examples of a Roman Town House in England.
Find out more17 June - 11 July 2022, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Hardy’s Wessex: Drawing on the ancient past
This six-week course led by artist Helen Garrett will take you on a creative journey through Thomas Hardy’s work, inspirations and Dorset Museum’s collections.
Find out more18 June 2022, 11:30am - 4:00pm
Dorset Button making day
Join Dorset button maker and artist Anna McDowell to explore the history of Dorset button-making and take part in a workshop to make your own buttons.
Find out more19 June 2022, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Sunday ArtyFacts
Create colourful wax resist and collaged patchwork patterns and shapes inspired by Valentine Ackland's jacket from our Dorset Artists gallery. Make your own cards and bookmarks with colourful designs to take home.
Find out more22 June 2022, 7:30pm
Connaught Brass
Connaught Brass are quickly making a name for themselves as a fresh talent in the chamber music world
Find out more