Over the summer, we ran a reopening project comprised of 12 yoga sessions, 4 open garden afternoons, 18 garden explorer sessions for families and 2 cream tea volunteer celebration events. A grant from The Heart of Bucks charity meant that this programme could be offered free of charge to attendees, with a focus on health and wellbeing, encouraging people to get out and get active as the Covid-19 lockdown eased.
Despite the dismal weather on some days, our family garden-explorer sessions were brightened up with smiling faces. Children and adults alike loved seeing our secret bug and garden bird collections out on display.
As well as our collections, we provided backpacks full of equipment for bug hunting and we were lucky enough to see many different varieties of ladybird, butterflies (sat at our butterfly feeding station) and even dancing dragonflies.
After time spent exploring, the next activity was learning all about bees. Here visitors could plant a wildflower seed bomb and have fun learning a bee waggle-dance.
The final activity was to make a butterfly glider.
Many families were new to the museum and are looking forward to returning in the future. We had some lovely feedback, especially from a group of Young Carers who came along.
Our yoga sessions, in partnership with The Fitness Garden, were a real hit with the participants.
Our cream tea events allowed us a chance to thank Covid-relief volunteers, such as the group pictured below, from the foodbank, talking to the High Sherriff.
Our open garden afternoons meant that regular locals could drop in for a cup of tea and cake and we also ran some pop-up sessions, such as relaxation and art.
The pandemic had forced us to run things a bit differently this summer, but it was so rewarding to give Aylesbury residents a chance to escape the isolation of lockdown and engage again with culture.
We’re busy working on our spooky family fun Halloween plans and will update you very soon.
Whilst you’re here, can we ask a favour? Over the past months whilst we have been closed the cost of looking after our collections, buildings and site has continued. You can help us get through these difficult times by making a donation. Thank you for your support.
