What's On

Memories of the Coal Queens

17 May-26 September

National Coal Mining Museum for England, Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield WF4 4RH. The next special exhibition at the National Coal Mining Museum for England is called ‘Memories of the Coal Queens’ and is based on Coal Queen competitions, which were at their height between the early 1960s and mid 1980s. The exhibition opens on Monday 17 May and will run for nineteen weeks. The competitions started as local colliery contests and a miner’s daughter or wife would be crowned as queen. These colliery winners would then go on to compete for the regional title at the county’s Miners’ Gala, similar to the gala the Museum holds annually.

In 1969 the competition became a national event. Between 1969 and 1983 the National Coal Board, supported by Coal News, ran the Coal Queen of Britain competition, where regional winners competed for the national title. Winners won a range of prizes, from holidays to clothes and money, and went on to represent the National Coal Board at various events during their reign. For this special exhibition the Museum has talked with many ex-Coal Queens, from Yorkshire to Cumbria, and Nottinghamshire to Northumberland. We take a look at the memories and experiences of some competitors and share their stories. In an industry where King Coal reigned, it was women who took centre stage as the Coal Queens. Telephone: 01924 844588
For futher information please contact: www.ncm.org.uk

Doctor Who Exhibition

until 31 October

Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE1 4EP. Visit the Doctor Who Exhibition where you'll come face to face with monsters, spectacular props and costumes from the multi-award winning BBC One show. This fantastic opportunity allows you to see genuine items from the programme. Do you dare to get close to your favourite creature? There are plenty to choose from: the Sontaran, Absorbaloff, Ood, Judoon, Autons, the Cybermen or the infamous Daleks. You'll get a chance to sneak a behind the scenes peek at how the monsters are made and of course, the TARDIS! The exhibition is set to showcase many of the items from the new series starring Matt Smith, after they have been seen on screen. This exhibition features sound effects and strobe lighting.

Tickets can be bought from the Centre reception on the day of your visit. If you would prefer to pre book tickets in advance of your visit you can do this online at www.life.org.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 08444 815 880. Please note, you can only pre book tickets up until one week before your visit.
For futher information please contact: www.life.org.uk

Time Traveller Go . . . Gruesome

until 30 August

Clifford’s Tower, York. 11am-5pm. Come and stand trial at Clifford's Tower this summer! Hear tales of medieval crimes and see the gibbet, manacles and scolds bridle, discover the horrible punishments for the most smallest of crimes and remember - beware of the stocks! Price: Adults £3.50/ Concessions £3.00/ Children £1.80/ Family £8.80. (*+£1 for every child over five participating in this event, members and non members)
For futher information please contact: www.english-heritage.org.uk