





An exhibition for LGBT History Month 2019. Exploring the life and work of author, artist and photographer Samuel Butler.
Butler is most known for his satirical novels ‘Erewhon’ (published anonymously in 1872) and ‘The Way of All Flesh’ (published posthumously in 1903), a semi-autobiographical novel which attacks Victorian family values.
Butler had strong connections to Shrewsbury; his grandfather (also Samuel) was headteacher at the Shrewsbury School, he himself was a pupil, he owned a prominent mansion house in the town (Whitehall in Cherry Orchard) and named four streets in the area, including Alfred Street after his clerk Alfred Cathie.
Samuel Butler’s father Thomas was a noted local botanist and donated over 220 plant specimens to the museum. Samuel Butler also had a long correspondence with naturalist, geologist and biologist Charles Darwin, who was born and grew up in Shrewsbury.
Members of the local LGBT community and Museum volunteers have been working together to plan, research, interpret and design the exhibition.
It will include items on loan from St Johns College Cambridge and items from SM&AG and Shropshire Archives. These include photographs of people and places around Shrewsbury taken by Samuel Butler.
The exhibition has been part funded by the West Midlands Museums Development Trust Small Grants Programme.






An exhibition in association with The Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute featuring recent paintings of Greenland by Andrew Lansley prior to his trip to Antarctica as Artist in Residence 2019 for The Friends of the SPRI. Plus, work by previous Artists in Residence, Nicholas Jones and Shelly Perkins.
Also exhibiting gallery artists: Mike McGowan ceramic sculptures, Ruth Brownlee paintings and Sarah Jenkins ceramics, all of whom are fascinated by weather, erosion and the natural world.






This February, we will celebrate Shrewsbury as “The Origin of Independent Thinking” and birthplace of Charles Darwin – the most independent thinker of them all.
From free guided tours to brainteasing lectures and dance performances – join in the host of interactive events being staged in and around the town.
This two and a half week programme is the first of its kind and cements Shrewsbury’s rightful position as not only the birthplace of Charles Darwin but the inspiration behind his independent thinking which went on to change the story of evolution around the world.
For more information about the festival visit
https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/darwin-shrewsbury-festival





FRIENDS OF THE FOLLIES WEEK – February Half Term – 16th-24th Feb
A Half Term of special offers as a thank you to our friends and visitors who have supported The Follies over the years.
Offers for all visitors:
– 25% off Annual Passes
– 25% off Friends of the Follies Memberships
– 10% off in the Gift Shop
FREE admission for anyone with an SY4 postcode
Annual Pass Holder Special Offers:
– Bring up to 6 of your friends for half price admission
– 10% off in Caspian’s Tea Room
– FREE Follies History & Guidebook
Friends of The Follies Members Offers:
– Bring up to 12 of your friends for half price admission
– 10% off in Caspian’s Tea Room
– FREE Follies History & Guidebook
Open 10am-5pm daily from 16th February 2019, last admission 4pm. Special offers available onsite only from 16th-24th February inclusive. Does not include online purchases.
* Free postcode admission applies to every adult who can show they live in the SY4 area with an original Utility Bill, Bank Statement or Drivers License. Children with these adults will also be permitted free of charge.
Standard prices can be seen here: http://www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk/opening-times-and-prices-2/






Here’s your opportunity to see newborn lambs and even to see a live birth. From 16th Feb 2019 our huge indoor animal barn will be home to our lovely ewes waiting to have their babies
There will be lots of farmyard friends waiting to meet you too: Honey the Shetland pony, Rio and Pluto the heavy horses, and adorable rabbits and guinea pigs Don’t forget the massive indoor playbarns which ensure non stop play whatever the weather






Illuminating ideas – Lantern Making Workshops.
Join a team from the National Trust’s Attingham Park as part of Shrewsbury’s DarwIN Festival to chase away the dark nights and illuminate some new ideas by creating a mini paper lantern lit with a LED tea light.
On Saturday 16 February join us at the Flaxmill Maltings (Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury, SY1 2SY). There is free parking at the Flaxmill Maltings.
On Wednesday 20 February join us at the HIVE (The Hive, 5 Belmont, SY1 1TE). There is pay and display parking on the street or in St Julian’s Friars.
These sessions are for all the family and should be booked in advance through the Attingham website or by calling 03442 491895. All resources provided, each lantern costs £3 to make. Sessions take place at 10.30, 11.30 and 1pm on the day.
Visit the What’s On page of Attingham’s website for more information https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/whats-on
We’re also holding a Lantern Lit Procession on Saturday 23 February at Attingham why not book a ticket, bring your lantern and join us for an evening procession through the Attingham woodland at night. Tickets cost £4 per adult and £2 per child and booking in advance is essential – more information is on the What’s On page of the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/whats-on
You can find out about all our February half term activities on the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/features/have-fun-this-february-half-term-






Illuminating ideas – Lantern Making Workshops.
Join a team from the National Trust’s Attingham Park as part of Shrewsbury’s DarwIN Festival to chase away the dark nights and illuminate some new ideas by creating a mini paper lantern lit with a LED tea light.
On Saturday 16 February join us at the Flaxmill Maltings (Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury, SY1 2SY). There is free parking at the Flaxmill Maltings.
On Wednesday 20 February join us at the HIVE (The Hive, 5 Belmont, SY1 1TE). There is pay and display parking on the street or in St Julian’s Friars.
These sessions are for all the family and should be booked in advance through the Attingham website or by calling 03442 491895. All resources provided, each lantern costs £3 to make. Sessions take place at 10.30, 11.30 and 1pm on the day.
Visit the What’s On page of Attingham’s website for more information https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/whats-on
We’re also holding a Lantern Lit Procession on Saturday 23 February at Attingham why not book a ticket, bring your lantern and join us for an evening procession through the Attingham woodland at night. Tickets cost £4 per adult and £2 per child and booking in advance is essential – more information is on the What’s On page of the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/whats-on
You can find out about all our February half term activities on the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/features/have-fun-this-february-half-term-






This is an opportunity to learn some valuable garden hints and tips, explore the gardens of Upper Shadymoor Farm and meet the onwers. You will be able to hear about the practical garden workshops for 2019.
TESTIMONIALS: “I would recommend the introductory workshop to my friends” S. Holmes, Shrewsbury.
Welcome: 10.15-10.30am Meet the owners
10.30 – 11.15am – Hints and Tips – Kristian Hickson-Booth
11.15 – 12 noon – Garden Tour with Kristian Hickson-Booth
12 -12.30pm – Refreshments and informal chat with the owners and Kristian Hickson-Booth
WORKSHOP TUTOR – KRISTIAN HICKSON-BOOTH Dip Hort
Passionate and with a formidable knowledge, Kristian trained at Myerscough College was head gardener at
English Heritage’s Brodsworth Hall and Combermere Abbey. Kristians skills are well honed – with several award winning gardens to her name too. In recent years Kristian has been focusing on bringing old and tired gardens back to life for individuals, also creating new gardens from a wish list and blank plan. Kristians workshops are designed to provide knowledge, skills, inspiration and ultimately confidence; enabling attendees to take their garden to the next level.
UPPER SHADYMOOR FARM, SHROPSHIRE
Upper Shadymoor Farm, is found just south of Shrewsbury, near Stapleton. A diverse country garden, of about an acre, it incorporates herbaceous borders, water, pleached crab and lime,
fruit canes, orchard, courtyard an abundance of roses of every description.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served at this event. The cost of this event is £10.00
For more information and to book your place contact joy@shadymoor.co.uk
DISCLAIMERS:
Inclement weather conditions: The workshops will go ahead unless extreme conditions make it impossible or dangerous – heavy rain/high winds!
Seasonal variation: We will be aiming to undertake the subjects highlighted for each workshop, but slippage of the
seasons may require some variation.
The workshops are non-refundable but they can be transferable to an alternative date subject to availability.
Attendance is solely at own risk.






Simon Napier-Bell (previously manager of The Yardbirds, T Rex and George Michael) has gathered together some of our nations much loved personalities including Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Elton John, Matt Lucas, Stephen K. Amos and Stephen Fry, to make a documentary of historical and personal accounts that relate to key landmarks in the landscape of LGBT culture.
Simon Napier-Bell (2017) UK 1h 17m
Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Elton John, Stephen Fry
In association with Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival






Double Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee NISH KUMAR is taking his brand new show on a national tour of the UK! The title is a quote from Terminator 2. There will be jokes about politics, mankind’s capacity for self-destruction, and if this will lead to the end of days. GOOD FUN STUFF.
He’s the host of The Mash Report, which you might have seen on BBC2 or on a Facebook video posted by someone you went to school with but haven’t spoken to in a while.
As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC2), Taskmaster (Dave), Live From the BBC (Netflix), QI (BBC2) Have I Got News For You (BBC1) and Joel & Nish Vs The World (Netflix/Comedy Central).
“ONE OF THE BEST YOUNG COMEDIAN WE HAVE” The Times
“A MASTERCLASS BY A NO-FRILLS STAND-UP AT THE HEIGHT OF HIS POWERS” Guardian






A 5 day STEM themed workshop experience for young people aged 9 -14 years, resulting in successful participants earning The Duke Of York Bronze Award. The participants will learn how to code robotics, stay safe online, experience VR and much more. £120 covers all 5 days of the program with running times between 9:30 – 15:30.






Have you ever wanted to become more creative?
ArtShack offers small friendly personal creative development sessions every Monday and Wednesday, giving you the opportunity to learn and develop new skills with help and support from professional and well experienced artists. People of all ages and abilities from the complete novice to the more experienced are welcome.
We offer – textiles, felting, lino cuts, ceramics, silk painting, painting, drawing, sculpture, print making, embroidery, life drawing and so much more!
Drops-in sessions are available 10:30am – 1.00pm OR 1:30pm – 4:00pm
Cost: £20 per 1/2 day or £10 for members
We also offer a series of 1 day & half-day creative workshops on a variety of subjects, see our website https://www.myartshack.co.uk/ for the latest list.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DIRECTIONS AND AVAILABILITY!
Email – info@myartshack.co.uk
Phone – 07751 362171






Come and learn about British wildlife, have fun joining in activities and playing games, at our half term wildlife party! Suitable for primary school aged children. Fairy cakes and drinks included for just £4 per child, tickets must be purchased in advance from fundraisingcwr@gmail.com or call Tina on 07712658259. Parents must stay for the session, teas and coffees will be on sale. Session finishes at 12 noon.






The Harry Hooligan’s are recruiting potential tribe members at SHDC. You will be judged at the end as to whether you will be able to go forward into the Dragon Initiation Program. Make a horned hat and practice your yelling, start your own ‘Incomplete book of Dragons’ notebook with the dragons that visit Shropshire. Learn some dragonese (if you swear never to let Gobber the Belch know who you learned it from). Practice catching sheep launched from a catapult.
£4 per accompanied 4-11 year old, booking advised.






A reflection on the powerful feminine symbol of Medusa, the myth and its various connotations in our contemporary life.
Created on the coast of Barcelona and inspired by its marine life, Jasmin Vardimon presents her new work MEDUSA. Celebrating 20 years of her company and the work of one of the world’s leading female choreographers, this piece examines the gendered historical significance of Medusa; the myth, the symbolism and the philosophical idea of ‘reflection’.
Bringing together a remarkable international cast of performers, Vardimon’s epic, new production not only deconstructs the myth but also looks forward, exploring Medusa’s aquatic symbolism in the environmental future of our seas.






February half term at Attingham is all about spotting the signs of spring, and brightening up the last of the winter days and evenings!
Join us on Tuesday 19 February and Thursday 21 February to make a willow lantern with the Wild Craftist, Ben Mayho.
Places should be booked in advance, sessions start at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm, and it costs £8 per lantern – make one each, or make one with your friends or family.
We’re also holding a Lantern Lit Procession on Saturday 23 February at Attingham why not book a ticket, bring your lantern and join us for an evening procession through the Attingham woodland at night? Tickets cost £4 per adult and £2 per child and booking in advance is essential – more information is on the What’s On page of the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/whats-on
For more information on all events taking place during February half term at Attingham visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/features/have-fun-this-february-half-term-
Pick up our half term planner from Visitor Reception for more ideas for exploring Attingham this half term!






Recycle your old favourite socks and have fun doing it !! During the half term holidays we will be having the Treasure Trove Puppet Company performing , providing a fabulous array of interactive shows set in wonderful scenery, using traditional hand-carved rod and glove puppets. So come along and try your hand at making your own puppet using recycled socks. Either bring your own odd socks along or use ours. booking is required and numbers are limited. This activity costs £3 per person.






DANCE, MUSIC, POETRY, CRAFTS, SINGING, EXHIBITIONS, STORY TELLING, TALKS, FILM, OPEN STUDIOS, WORKSHOPS, an ARTISAN MARKET, a BAKE OFF and much more, with most of it FREE.
Set in the Shropshire Hills town of Bishop’s Castle, the festival will see venues of all shapes and sizes, from galleries to pubs, churches to libraries, hotels to shops, all opening their doors to put on this unique festival.






Have you ever wanted to become more creative?
ArtShack offers small friendly personal creative development sessions every Monday and Wednesday, giving you the opportunity to learn and develop new skills with help and support from professional and well experienced artists. People of all ages and abilities from the complete novice to the more experienced are welcome.
We offer – textiles, felting, lino cuts, ceramics, silk painting, painting, drawing, sculpture, print making, embroidery, life drawing and so much more!
Drops-in sessions are available 10:30am – 1.00pm OR 1:30pm – 4:00pm
Cost: £20 per 1/2 day or £10 for members
We also offer a series of 1 day & half-day creative workshops on a variety of subjects, see our website https://www.myartshack.co.uk/ for the latest list.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DIRECTIONS AND AVAILABILITY!
Email – info@myartshack.co.uk
Phone – 07751 362171





Take the stress out of keeping the kids entertained this half term and join us for a range of drop-in workshops.
Tuesday 19th February: 10 – 12noon & 2pm – 4pm
Decorate a cupcake.
£1 for 2 cupcakes.
Wednesday 20th February 10:30am – 12noon:
Potato Stamps and Painting
Use potato stamps to create a little piece of art.
Thursday 21st February 10:30am – 12noon:
Simple Origami
Not just for kids. Team up with your child and make a butterfly, a dog face or a fortune teller.
Shropshire Wildlife Trust will also be in attendace.
Friday 22nd February 10:30am – 12noon
Secret Messages
Use crayons to write secret messages, then reveal them with paint!
Don’t forget to try our adventure playground before you go home!






We will be open between 10am and 4pm with an exclusive opportunity to get inside the buildings and see the works in progress at the site.
We will be running general tours throughout the day, going up through the south stairwell, which we’ve never had open to the public before. This will lead to the top floor, a huge and open space, with light flooding in through the newly fitted windows and with views out and across the town. Tours will be led by a Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings’ volunteer who will talk about some of the history of the site and about the renovation works in progress. These tours will take about 30 to 45 minutes.
In addition there will be three ‘Contractor Led Tours’ during the day at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. These will be more detailed tours with the Site Manager for Croft Building and Conservation Ltd, the main contractor for the project, and a representative of the Historic England team. You will hear about the scale and complexity of the repairs to the Main Mill and Kiln. These tours are part of the Heritage Skills programme at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation .
All tours are on a first come, first served basis so please turn up on the day to book onto a tour.
The Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings are working in partnership with Historic England and Shropshire Council on a major National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project to repair Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, the first cast-iron framed building in the world and the forerunner to the modern skyscraper.






Music fans are invited to the biggest party of the year as the unstoppable Magic of Motown show steams into town.
Prepare yourself for 40 back-to-back classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and outstanding musicianship in this explosive concert experience.
Celebrate the sound of a generation as the timeless music of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and many more are sensationally recreated for you by an exceptionally talented cast and band.
This breath-taking concert spectacular takes you on a musical journey through all your favourite songs, including: Ain’t No Mountain, Signed Sealed Delivered, Grapevine, Get Ready, Dancing In The Streets, My Girl, Blame It On The Boogie, Uptight, Endless Love, My Cherie Amor, All Night Long, Heatwave, I’m Coming Out, Loco In Acapulco plus many more.
Book your tickets now and Reach Out for The Magic of Motown!
www.entertainers.co.uk






Portraiture can be a difficult subject matter to draw accurately and successfully. On this introductory workshop to charcoal portraiture, you will learn techniques, methods and process that are critical to achieve life-like portraits. You will learn the Riley method of drawing human faces, how to use measurement to increase accuracy, how tonal values can help in making charcoal portraiture more realistic and how different materials can be used to provide different effect. During the workshop their will be demonstrations as well as the opportunity to practice the techniques yourself.
Materials you will use include compressed charcoal, vine charcoal, charcoal pencil, blenders and putty erasers.
Live demonstrations and tuition will be given throughout by Bakhtiar Umataliev.
Cost £60 including parking and refreshments
Contact us to book https://www.myartshack.co.uk






Telford Repair Cafe forms part of our popular Junk to Jewel event
Confirmed repairers:
Sewing, woodwork, IT and logistical challenges.
Keep up to-date with others that join the repair cafe by liking this event:
This event is part of Junk to Jewel – tackling environmental issues we will also have a table top and flea market.
The Telford Repair Cafe is at Forge at The Wakes on the last Saturday of every month. At our January Telford Cafe we will have people who can look at helping repair fabric, wood, bikes, sharpening and that logistical problem.
If you have a skill to bring to the Telford Repair Cafe then let us know, together we can make such a difference




