Suggestions for days out in 2012

Norwich Castle Museum

We have all been rallying round at Gainsborough’s House since the departure of the Director earlier this year.

I have been helping to organise the lecture series for Spring 2012 and, so far, I am very pleased with the way the project has worked out.

The talks, Treasures and Secrets of East Anglia, will be held on selected Tuesday mornings between the end of February and early May.  A ticket (£6 per talk) will enable you to hear the talk and also have free entry to the House and any exhibition that might be showing.

The series was inspired by the notion that 'hard times' may discourage many of us from travelling too far afield next year. Perhaps the time has come to discover, or to rediscover, the many wonderful places worth seeing within an hour and a half’s drive of Sudbury.

Representatives from six outstanding galleries and museums in East Anglia have been invited to come to Gainsborough’s House to explain why their institution is worth a visit.  The attractions in question are The National Horseracing Museum, Norwich Castle, Colchester Castle, The Fry Art Gallery, Saffron Walden, the Fitzwilliam Museum and Melford Hall (plus some other less visited National Trust Properties.)

In addition to discussing the highlights and history of each venue, speakers will share some lesser known facts and secrets. Many of the museums on the list are currently undergoing change and development and we also anticipate some comment on special exhibitions and attractions planned in 2012.

We hope that this programme will be of interest, not only to Gainsborough House Friends, volunteers and regulars, but also a wider local audience.  Full details and tickets will be available after Christmas from Gainsborough’s House.

From the National Horseracing Museum Collection.