Press Release
13 May 2015
Deputy Minister gets a rooftop view for Museums at Night
Museums and heritage attractions across Wales will be opening their doors with special nighttime events from 13 -16 May as part of the annual Museums at Night festival.
Launching the festival today (Wednesday 13th May) on the roof top of Cardiff Story Museum,
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates commented:
“We have some fantastic museums across Wales, filled with fascinating items that help tell the
story of our past. They are a valuable resource in helping us to learn about and understand
important historical events in a way that books alone cannot. We are always looking at new
ways of showcasing the incredible treasures in our museums and encourage visitors, new and
old, to appreciate our museums in a different way.
“I’m pleased to announce the Welsh Museums Festival will be taking place for the second year
from 24th October to 1st November. This will give visitors more opportunities to discover and be
inspired by the unique collections, and to participate in a range of exciting experiences.”
Cardiff Story Museum Manager, Victoria Rogers, explains why the museum is taking part in
Museums at Night:
“Museums at Night gives us the chance to offer something special for visitors - something that is
completely different from what we normally offer. Last year we won the opportunity to work with
leading contemporary artist Janette Parris who worked with us to create an event; this year
we’re running ‘On the Roof’ event, offering a very rare chance to see some of the features of our
Victorian Old Library Building that are completely hidden behind the scenes. These special
tours will end on our roof top so visitors can explore Cardiff’s skyline with its old and new
buildings. Drinks and nibbles will be provided, so visitors can really relax as they take Cardiff in
at sunset!”
Now in its seventh year, Museums at Night offers the chance to experience culture and heritage
in a totally unexpected way from a 1940s tea dance at the Winding House in Caerphilly to a
torch-lit exploration of the ancient wonders of the Egypt Centre, Swansea to scientific
experiments at the National Waterfront Museum.
Astronomy enthusiasts will be able to see Tintern Abbey and Beaumaris Castle in a different
light as the sites host late night astronomy sessions on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16
respectively. Cadw has teamed up with Dark Sky Wales to host the unique events that will
consist of talks with astronomers, stargazing sessions and a constellation presentation within a
pop-up planetarium.
The festival sees hundreds of museums, galleries and historic spaces all over the UK opening
their doors after hours to put on an array of special events. The festival has experienced
phenomenal growth during the past few years, attracting 180,000 visits to 700 events in more
than 500 venues across the country in 2014.
For the full list of events happening in Wales visit www.museumsatnight.org.uk.
-EndsEditor’s notes
For media queries please contact –
Nicola Williams 01978 722988 / nicola.williams@wrexham.gov.uk
Bethan Rogers 01978 722995 / bethan.rogers@wrexham.gov.uk
Museums at Night - Wales
Up on the Roof
The Cardiff Story
14 May 2015
18:00 - 20:00
Museums at Night 2015 at the Cardiff Story Museum Special guided tours of our galleries and
building, finishing on our roof, where the story of Cardiff will come alive in the city’s skyline.
Drinks and nibbles will be served on the roof as people take in the atmosphere of Cardiff.
Places are limited on the tours, so book quickly to reserve your place. To reserve a ticket
contact 02920 788334 / cardiffstory@cardiff.gov.uk


Any age
£5 per person
To reserve a ticket contact 02920 788334 or email cardiffstory@cardiff.gov.uk
Supporters Scheme Launch Evening
Chepstow Museum
13 May 2015
18:00 - 20:00
This special event marks the Chepstow launch of our new Supporters Scheme and is part of the
Museums at Night celebrations. Come along to find out more about the Scheme and enjoy a
taster of the kind of benefits being a Supporter can bring as you have an exclusive viewing of
some of the new acquisitions in our Wye Tour collection featuring Tintern Abbey and Chepstow
Castle. These paintings have been purchased thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund's Collecting
Cultures grant scheme. The event will also include opportunities to hear our Curator speak
about the paintings and their significance. The Museum Service's Paper Conservator will also
be on hand to give advice about caring for paintings. Drinks and nibbles will be provided and
there will be lots of opportunity to find out more about becoming a member of the Supporter
Scheme. This event is free but we’d be grateful if you could let us know you wish to attend by
emailing supportmuseums@monmouthshire.gov.uk or speaking with the Fundraising Team on
01291 625981. These events would not be possible without the help of the Heritage Lottery
Fund who have supported the set-up of the Monmouthshire Museums Supporters Scheme.


Any age
Free of charge
Napoleon invades Gwynedd Museum
15 May 2015
18:30 - 20:30
Art exhibition; Live interpretation and story-telling; A behind the scenes look at cataloguing; A
cataloguing Children’s Workshop with the artist


Any age
Free of charge
Museums at Night-1940s Tea Dance
Winding House
15 May 2015
16:00 - 18:00
Dust off your dancing shoes and join us for a very special Museums at Night event for our
month of reflection and celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in
1945. Relax and unwind to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Swing and more Wartime favourites. If
you want to come in 1940s costume, all the better! Discover how the Second World War
impacted on the local area and how its end was celebrated...if you can take a break from all that
dancing!


Any age
Free of charge
Social Evening to celebrate Museums at Night
Wireless in Wales Museum
15 May 2015
19:00 - 21:00
An opportunity, through a guided tour, to see and learn about radios through the ages (1920s to
1960s). Discover Wales's influence on broadcasting. Enjoy a range of short archive films
bringing the history of communications to life; and chat with our friendly expert technicians.


Family friendly, Any age
Free of charge
May Fair Meal
Rhayader Museum and Art Gallery
15 May 2015
18:00 - 21:00
Join us for an out of hours visit to Rhayader Museum & Gallery and browse the current
exhibition, Nyth Grug-Heather Nest before being spirited away to a long lost world with tales of
the Mabinogi told by renowned storyteller Tamar Williams, who was Young Storyteller of the
Year 2013. After her performance, we will have a traditional May Fair supper of Cawl or
Vegetable Soup with home-made rustic bread, followed by a selection of cake. There will be
further opportunities to listen in 'the room of many voices' to our collection of local
reminiscences.

Adults £5.00 Children £3.00 Family (two adults, two children) £ 15.
Please phone 01597 810561 to book
Museum by Torchlight
Egypt Centre
15 May 2015
16:00 - 18:00
As part of Museums at Night 2015 the Egypt Centre will be opening late to offer you a unique
experience to explore the galleries as you have never seen them before! With the gallery lights
off and only the case lights on, you will get the chance to re-discover our great collection by
torchlight. Experience the excitement felt by explorers entering lost tombs for the first time in
search of wonderful things hidden in the darkness.


Any age
Free of charge
Museums at Night Science Special
National Waterfront Museum
15 May 2015
18:30 - 19:30
A chance for the whole family to engage with demonstrations and practical experiments in this
fun interactive Lucky Dip show. How do Polar bears keep warm? How do you launch a tennis
ball into space? Answer these questions and many more with a tour of our scientific world
(where you get to pick what we look at)!


Any age
£3.50 per person, please phone (029) 2057 3600 to book your place.
After Hours at the Castle
Powis Castle and Garden - National Trust
15 May 2015
18:00 - 21:00
Come along and see Powis Castle sparkle in in a different light. The Medieval castle rises
dramatically above the world-famous garden, overhung with clipped yews, shelters rare and
tender plants. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, it retains its original lead
statues and an orangery on the terraces. High on a rock above the terraces, the castle,
originally built circa 1200, began life as a medieval fortress. Remodelled and embellished over
more than 400 years, it reflects the changing needs and ambitions of the Herbert family - each
generation adding to the magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and tapestries.
A superb collection of treasures from India is displayed in the Clive Museum.

Castle only (gift aid/standard) - Adult £6.80/££6.18, Children £3.40/£3.09, Family (2
adults, 3 children) £17.00/£15.45, Family (1 adult, 2 children) £10.20/£9.27.
National Trust members free.
The Quarry Boys and Gallipoli - evening talk
Penmaenmawr Museum
16 May 2015
19:00
Join Anne Pedley as she explores the story of Penmaenmawr's Quarry Boys and their role in
the Gallipoli campaign, in an evening lecture marking the centenary of Gallipoli. Part of the
Museums at Night programme.


Any age
Free of charge
Swansea Museum
13 May 2015
17:00 - 21:00
Swansea Museum joins the National Museums at Night festivities by leaving open its doors late
into the evening. Pop in after school or work and join in the fun! Mr Rod Hughes from Swansea
Pals will be here from 6.30pm to do an informal talk on Swansea and the Great War. What
happened in the Great War, 100 years ago this month?


Any age
Free of charge
Museums at Night - Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Gladstone's Library
15 May 2015
20:00 - 22:00
Join us to mark and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice's Adventures in
Wonderland. Enjoy readings from the book in the surroundings of Gladstone's Library, as part of
the Museums at Night festival. We'll provide the cake, you buy the drinks!


Any age
Tickets £7.50. To book, call 01244 532350 or email enquiries@gladlib.org.
Cadw Stargazing at Tintern Abbey
15 May 2015
20:00 - 23:30
This is your chance to stargaze from within the stunning medieval ruins of Tintern Abbey at an
event organised by Cadw, in association with Dark Sky Wales. The evening will consist of talks
with astronomers, stargazing sessions and a constellation presentation within a pop-up
planetarium.


Ages 11+
Price: £15
Stargaze with Cadw: Beaumaris Castle
16 May 2015
20:00 - 23:30
This is your chance to stargaze from within the stunning medieval ruins of Beaumaris Castle at
an event organised by Cadw in association with Dark Sky Wales and the North Wales
Astronomy Society. The evening will consist of talks with astronomers, stargazing sessions, a
mini tour of the castle grounds and a constellation presentation within a pop-up planetarium.

Age 11+

Price: £9
------------Wrexham County Borough Council has been selected by CyMAL: Museums Archives and
Libraries Wales, Welsh Government to receive a grant to deliver the Audience Development
strand for 2015-2016.
CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales is a policy division of the Welsh Government,
based in Aberystwyth and is responsible for developing policy for local museums, archives and
libraries in Wales and advising the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism.
Museums at Night
Museums at Night is the annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage when hundreds
of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening
events. It takes place from Wednesday May 13th – Saturday May 16th.
www.museumsatnight.org.uk
Culture24
Culture24 is an independent non-profit company which exists to support the cultural sector to
reach and connect with audiences. It is best known for publishing great websites about culture;
producing the successful Museums at Night festival of after-hours openings and leading Let’s
Get Real, the collaborative action research project involving cultural organisations across the
UK and Europe.
www.WeAreCulture24.org.uk