Village museum celebrates weddings and coronations

Bloxham Museum first opened its doors in the Old Courthouse, Bloxham, back in 1981, thanks to the vision and enthusiasm of Yvonne Huntriss and her late husband Charles.

Having a new exhibition each year gives the museum the chance to exhibit as many items as possible from its collection of well over 6,000 artefacts.

This year’s Anniversaries and Celebrations exhibition, curated by a team of volunteers led by Jan Warner, celebrates weddings, christenings, coronations, jubilees and two royal visits to the village.

Among the hundreds of pieces on display are the bill from the wedding reception of Mr O. V. Aplin and Miss Mary D. Hyde in 1895 – with an enlarged, decimalised copy alongside.

Further highlights include a stunning 1930s silk wedding dress, memorabilia from five coronations and photographs recording the many parades, processions and street parties that have taken place in the village. The centrepiece is a tableaux of a traditional May Day celebration complete with maypole and images from local primary schools.

This year’s co-contributors, Bloxham WI and Bloxham School, have filled their cabinets with artefacts from their own anniversaries and celebrations over the years.

The museum’s team of volunteers welcome about 900 visitors each year and the museum hopes to reach 1,000 visitors in its 35th year.

The Anniversaries and Celebrations exhibition is open from 2.30pm to 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays until October 29.

Entry is £1 per adult with accompanying children free. Two children’s quizzes are included in the entry price. Contact [email protected] or call 07721 187813.