Quality assurance scheme for school visits

Another good example of how our cultural heritage sector is upping the ante and making things as easy as possible for schools to arrange visits. Lets just hope that the costs of compliance and participation do not disadvantage the many small attractions who need this business from schools to survive.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7889145.stm

Accessing collections online

Some of the UK's largest museums are increasing access to their collections through a new online initiative - check out the following story on the BBC news website for more details:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7902323.stm

Vikings in York

They really do take it very seriously, the re-enactors who entertained a crowd of several hundred in York's museum gardens this weekend. Telling the story of the revolt against the Normans in the late 11th century, a large group of hairy men (and a few women) braved the cold and damp to give a limited, but exciting, insight into warfare at that time. The annual viking fesitval in York is a great example of using a city's cultural heritage as a tool for developing tourism in the shoulder months. As well as the re-enactments, other highlights included a talk on Viking poo (always a winner with young kids) and a Viking wedding. Most bizzare sight - four Vikings, armed and ready for action, getting out of a Volkswagen people carrier - surely it should have been a Volvo!

Skyspace in Northumberland

Today's Guardian Travel Supplement offers a number of ideas on where to go in the UK this half term. One of the suggested destinations is James Turrell's 'Skyspace' at Kielder Forest in Northumberland. This is one of the most signficant pieces of public art in the UK in my opinion, and not nearly as well known as it should be. So take a trip up the A68 (OK - it's not Route 66 but it's still an attractive drive) and spend some time looking at the big Northumberland skies.

And if you can't get that far north, the same artist has constructed the Deer Shelter in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park outside Wakefield.

Enjoy!

Local galleries and the art of (re-)discovering your local area

Last Friday I was lucky enough to be invited to the opening of a new exhibition at Scarborough's South Street Gallery (www.southstreetgallery.co.uk). South Specific presents images from a number of regional artists, all of whom have been inspired by the coastline, moors and wolds of this part of North Yorkshire. Andrew Cheetham's inspired seascapes and David Chalmers' black and white photographs of Scarborough's spa buildings and sea defences highlight the appeal of the coastline even in the dark and stormy days of winter. And a trip to the gallery itself offers the perfect little trip out, particularly if combined with afternoon tea in the quirky Francis' tea rooms immediately opposite. Supporting local businesses such as these are at the heart of responsible tourism, so next time you are wondering what to do on a snowy afternoon, take a trip down a sidestreet in your home town. You may be surprised at what you find!