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Summer Programme 2022

In 2022, the Museum of East Anglian Life became the Food Museum. Our mission is to link people to where food comes from, past, present and future. Our founding collection is rooted in East Anglia, which has been described as ‘Britain’s Breadbasket’. You will still be able to enjoy the museum’s existing exhibits alongside new attractions. We have restored our watermill to working order, created a new exhibition space and introduced new programmes. Our change of name is a first step rather than a final destination. This programme will tell you about some of the exciting events and activities that are coming up and we plan to make more improvements and add to the displays every year. We hope that you will join us on our journey and return to see the progress we make.

Every Garden Matters Community exhibition in Abbot’s Hall, 9 April- 8 October 2022

How well do you know your own garden? Do the plants you grow encourage biodiversity? At a time when pollinator species are declining, are your flowerbeds helpful or harmful to insect, and other wildlife? Confirming that change really does start at home, the exhibition confronts the idea that we are powerless in the face of the climate emergency. Instead, it proposes that the garden is a place where we can all put positive environmental actions into practice right now. Co-curated with the Stowmarket Eco Future Group

Hedgerow

Annual exhibition in the newly refurbished Bone Building, 24 June 2022 - 4 June 2023 The English and Welsh countryside are patterned with hedges. Hedges can appear to us as part of the natural world but they are made and maintained by people. They are a point at which nature and culture meet. Farmers and landowners have used hedges for hundreds of years to manage land, protect crops and raise livestock for us to eat. Hedges also produce crops in their own right and provide food for people and animals. This exhibition explores and celebrates hedgerows and how they have become part of our food system. In collaboration with Our Isles and a collective of artists, chefs, farmers, historians, and specialists; this exhibition narrates the story of the hedgerow throughout history, to the present day and beyond. Supported by Arts Council England and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership

Hedgerow Events Richard Mabey & John Wright in Conversation Saturday 17 September 2.30pm - 4.30pm

For five decades Richard Mabey has been a pioneering voice in modern nature writing. From the rediscovery of foraging that led to “Food for Free”, through his ground-breaking expeditions in the “edgelands” in the 1970s, to his reflections on the musicality of birdsong, he has consistently explored new ways of thinking about nature and its relation to our lives. Richard joins us in conversation with author, naturalist and leading expert on fungi John Wright to speak about his latest projects and the importance of hedgerows. John’s publications include books on gathering fungi and mushrooms, and how to make your own booze, all published in the popular River Cottage Handbook series. £15 per person

Nature Writing with Pippa Marland – Foraging For Words Sunday 25th September 10am- 4pm Celebrated nature writer Pippa Marland “Gifts of Gravity and Light: A Nature Almanac for the 21st Century joins us for a day of thinking about what the wild and wildness mean to us. In the morning you will head out together on a foraging walk in the grounds of the Food Museum and discover the wild foods on offer for both humans and animals and collect some samples. The afternoon will feature a practical writing session as you try to capture in words the essence of the foraged foods you have collected - £15 per person.

Food from the Hedgerow demonstration Every day from 11am – 3pm, July to September Over the summer In the Bone Building’s new kitchen, visitors will be able to taste a variety of hedgerow inspired foraged recipes being made using ingredients from the Museum site. Visitors will also learn about wild food, biodiversity, folklore and heritage from our resident learning assistants. Watch them cook, help them forage and occasionally taste their wild recipes during your visit - Free with admission/membership. Suitable for all ages

Alton Watermill Tours on Fridays at 2pm

Our late-18th century watermill has been restored back to working condition. We have carried out a series of repairs to the mill including replacing the mill shaft, which weighs around 760kg (about the same as a Suffolk horse!) Come and experience the inner workings of a watermill, and to understand the role of milling in the process of bread-making. The Alton Watermill tour is part of our daily programme of tours, talks and demonstrations. Pick up a daily menu when you arrive to see what’s on during your visit. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, the Linbury Trust and ADM Milling

Dining with Heroes

Temporary Exhibition in Abbot’s Hall 15 July - 8 October Marvel Studios, the Food Museum and Aspire Black Suffolk bring you ‘Dining With Heroes’ – part of the ‘Power of Stories’ tour across Suffolk Museums. Ipswich Museum’s award-winning ‘Power of Stories’ exhibition, which features three original costumes from Marvel Studios’ global blockbuster Black Panther, echo Black Panther’s inspirational call to millions of people around the world to think about where they came from, who they want to be and the people who inspire them to get there. Continuing its legacy and theme, this small exhibition at the Food Museum will include the costumes of T’Challa (aka Black Panther), Shuri and Okoye, alongside a fantasy dinner party and historic museum objects and items lent by the local community.

Primadonna Festival 29 – 31 July

Primadonna is a three-day family-friendly festival of books, film, music, comedy, food, DJs and therapies. This year’s line-up includes Jordan Stephens (Rizzle Kicks); podcaster Viv Groskop; screenwriter and author Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady, Suffragette, The Split); superstar musician La Roux; writer and Primadonna Kit de Waal; TV presenter and writer June Sarpong; bestselling-authors Cathy Retzenbrink and Joanne Harris; top crime writer Erin Kelly... and many more. Plus walkabout Alice in Wonderland, late-night disco, pop-up dance classes, nature walks, stand-up and loads of things for kids. See primadonnafestival.com. This is a closed-site event. There will be no access to the museum grounds for non-ticket holders or members.

Summer courses for kids

Thrills and Grills

Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st. Times: 9.45am-4.00pm This full day workshop for children features half a day of cooking with award-winning professional chef and cooking tutor Jake Barwood, followed by a half day of activities led by friendly and experienced leaders. Making full use of the wood-fired oven, open fire pit and outside cooking area, work together to prepare tasty food from scratch. Suitable for: 7-12 year olds Tickets: £35 (lunch is included) - Book online Free places are available for recipients of free school meals. For more details email learning@foodmuseum.org.uk

Activities for families Wood-Fired Pizza Workshop

July and August, Thursdays and Saturdays* 11.30am – 1.30pm Make your own delicious flat bread pizzas from scratch and see them being baked in our wood-fired pizza oven before tucking into them at lunch. Suitable for ages 6+. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 children and adults

* no workshops on 2, 16, 30 July and 27 August

Outdoor Cooking Adventures

Mondays: 1 August, 8 August, 15 August, 22 August, 29 August 10.30am – 1.30pm Join us for a morning of hands-on campfire cooking. During this session you will cook your lunch as a team and learn skills such as lighting a fire and foraging ingredients as well about the traditions camp-fire cooking. Suitable for ages 6+. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 children and adults

Sustainability Workshops: Beeswax Wraps & Lip Balms

Wednesdays: 3 August, 10 August, 17 August, 24 Aug, 31 August 1.30pm – 2.30pm In this workshop you will use beeswax to create two fantastically useful sustainable products. Beeswax wraps are the ultimate reusable, zero-waste alternative to cling film, tin foil and plastic food bags. Made with fabric and beeswax these wraps will help you cut down your plastic use and save you money. In the second half of this workshop, learn how to make your own rosehip balm excellent for treating dry lips, hands and feet, made from 100% natural ingredients including beeswax, almond oil, jojoba oil and borage oil. All materials included. Suitable for ages 6+. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 children and adults

Apple day Saturday 22 October

Join us for our family-friendly celebration of all things apple. Taking place in and around the Farm Barn and orchard, visitors will be able to take part in apple crafts and activities and enjoy tours of the orchard. We’ll be demonstrating apple pressing throughout the day. Why not bring along your own apples and take home a bottle of the freshly pressed rewards? Free with museum admission/membership

Sculpture Trail New for 2022!

More than half of the museum is water meadows, grassland and woodland – the floodplain for the Rattlesden River which meanders through Stowmarket to join the River Gipping. Historically this land was used to supply resources: animal feed, hops for beer, willow or ‘osiers’ for basket making and fuel. Today it is home to otters, water voles, kingfishers, badgers, foxes, muntjac dear, grass snakes, frogs, newts, birds of prey and a variety of different fish and invertebrate species. Eight artists have created sculptures along the river inspired by the wildlife. Explore the trail and enjoy the river landscape as you go (1km reinforced grass path). Supported by the ScottishPower Foundation

East Anglian Storytelling Festival

26-28 August 2022

The East Anglian Storytelling Festival is celebrating its seventh year in a new location, right here at the Food Museum! With headliners Taffy Thomas MBE and Clare Muireann Murphy, as well as a host of storytelling talent, festival-goers can look forward to stories told in the fantastic spaces of the museum, from our medieval barn to story circles under the trees. Listen to stories told live, mouth to mouth, heart to heart and rediscover an ancient folk tradition. Nobody is too old to enjoy a good story! The full festival is a ticketed event, but there will be free storytelling for museum visitors as well as opportunities to join in ceilidhs, story rounds and many other events. Buy tickets at www.foodmuseum.org.uk

Membership Becoming a member is a cost-effective way to enjoy everything the museum has to offer and to support the charitable work of the museum. A range of benefits include a 10% discount in the museum shop, access to our Toddler Time sessions and gate access to the site. Gold members are invited to an annual event and private launches.

Silver Membership Gold Membership Adult £27 Child £15 Joint £45 One Adult Family £45 Two Adult Family £64

Adult £75 Joint £100

Volunteering Looking for something enjoyable and interesting to do in your spare time? Want to get some experience of working in a museum? Interested in history? Want to make new friends? Like the outdoors? Want to learn to run a watermill? Try volunteering at the Museum! We have over 100 active volunteers and are always on the look-out for passionate people to join us. For more details on how to become a volunteer contact us on volunteering@foodmuseum.org.uk or telephone 01449 612229

Opening times & prices April – October

Tues–Sun: 10:00–17:00

Open Mondays on bank holidays and in school holidays 10:00–17:00

For winter opening times, see website Prices

Adult: £12.00

Concession: £10.00 Child: £8.00

Family (2 adults & up to 3 children): £35.00 Family (1 adult & up to 3 children): £25.00