News Archive

A 'wheely' good day at the Museum of English Rural Life – University of Reading

Senior citizens are visiting the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) – which will soon move location as part of a £10.5million development project – to put the finishing touches on a giant mural on Monday December 8. Members of the Woodley Day Centre have been collaborating with artist Miranda Creswell to design and draw their own contributions to the 'Wheels within Wheels' mural, based on the many wheels that form part of the museum's collections. The event has been organised as part of the annual 'Big Draw' activities that have taken place this autumn at the University's museums. The project is part of the University of Reading's Active Community Programme, which aims to involve volunteers from the University in finding new ways for members of the local community to explore the University's museum collections. Volunteers, museum staff and Miranda Creswell have already held sessions at Woodley Day Centre where members began their design work, but Monday's visit will be the final stage of making the giant mural. Ann Parr, Care Services Manager of Woodley Day Centre, said: 'This has been a marvellous opportunity to be involved in this partnership project with the University and we greatly look forward to our visit to the museum. 'It has been very moving to see our members take part in this project, including many who would never normally participate in joint craft activities. They were engrossed in a way that that we have never seen before and as a result of these sessions many have continued with this kind of work at the centre.' Projects that aim to attract new audiences to take part in a variety of activities will continue when MERL moves from Whiteknights campus to the Redlands Road site. Building work is now under way on the development, which has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the University and a public appeal. Due to open in 2005, the new building will provide an open gateway to the exploration of rural heritage. There will be exhibitions, activities, events, and educational programmes, and there will be excellent facilities for accessing and using the collections and other sources of information. End Notes for editors Members of Woodley Day Centre will be visiting MERL between 1.45pm and 3.45pm on Monday, 8 December. For further information or to arrange interviews/photographs, please contact Kate Arnold-Forster on 0118 378 8671 or 8660, or e-mail: k.arnold-forster@reading.ac.uk