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Big Pit National Coal Museum

What’s OnJanuary – December 2015

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Family FunExhibitionsFilms

2 Big Pit National Coal Museum www.museumwales.ac.uk 0300 111 2 333

Until Sun 8 February 2015Poppies for Remembrance Investigating the link between the cultural uses of poppies for remembrance and the science of biodiversity – the study of plant and animal species in the natural environment.

Sat 14 February – Sun 6 September 2015When Dai became Tommy A look at the personal stories of miners who went to war as tunnellers.

Exhibitions

Museum MatinéesEnjoy an old classic for FREE at 1.30pm

Wed 25 March The Brave Don’t Cry (1952) cert U

Wed 20 May The Proud Valley (1940) cert PG

Big Pit National Coal Museum

Mini Miner Museum MatinéesJoin us at 2pm for our FREE Matinées

Sun 4 January Frozen (2013) cert PG

Sun 11 January Walking with Dinosaurs (2013) cert U Sun 18 JanuaryDespicable Me 2 (2013) cert U

Artist’s impression of Captain Arthur Edwards’s mining exploits from Deeds that Thrill the Empire, courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb

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Experience the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere of an authentic coal mine. Take the underground tour with a real miner, experience the virtual tour, visit the Pithead Baths exhibition and explore the many colliery buildings.

Opening times Daily 9.30am – 5pm. Underground tours 10am – 3.30pmPlease call for opening times in January and December.

For more details of our full events programme, and to sign-up for our e-newsletter, visit www.museumwales.ac.uk

Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon Torfaen NP4 9XP Phone: (029) 2057 3650 or 0300 111 2 333 (charged at local rate)

Details correct at time of printing. Please contact us before making a special journey.

Big Pit National Coal Museum

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@BigPitMuseum bigpitmuseum

LecturesSat 11 April, 1.30pmAnnual Lecture

Sat 17 October, 1.30pmAutumn Lecture: Who was Elizabeth Andrews?

Her great niece, Audrey Griffiths, explains how this extraordinary lady fought hard to improve the living conditions of families in the South Wales coalfield, including her battle for pithead baths for miners.

Book on arrival Booking essential, call (029) 2057 3650

Families Adults Talk Hands on Tour Charge applies

Small charge may apply for some activities

Behind the Scenes ToursTues–Thurs throughout January

Find out about the type of work we do to keep Big Pit open as one of the UK’s leading attractions. In the Conservation Stores, our Conservation Engineer will also demonstrate some of our smaller working machines normally used underground.

Guest speaker Wayne David, MP for Caerphilly, talks about the 1984/5 Miners’ Strike.

Events

Sat 24 Jan 12pm–4pm Celebrating Dwynwen Help us celebrate St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, with lovespoon and card-making craft activities, lovespoon carving demonstrations and face-painting.

Mon 16 Feb– Fri 20 Feb

12pm–4pm Festival of Dangerous Ideas Big Pit is renowned for its safety as a working coal mine….so join us for something completely different with activities for all ages with a twist!

Mon 30 Mar– Fri 10 Apr

11am–4pm Easter Holidays Follow our Mini Miners trail around Big Pit. What will you find out about the museum? At the end, swap your completed sheet for an Easter treat.

Mon 25 May– Fri 29 May

12pm–4pm A Wild Whitsun Get out and about for half term with a week full of activities for children of all ages.

Mon 20 Jul– Fri 31 Jul

12pm–4pm Miners’ Fortnight A variety of activities for the whole family.

Sat 1 Aug– Sun 2 Aug

12pm–4pm Re-enactment Weekend Step back in time and meet some of the characters from the history of mining in Wales.

Sat 12 Sep– Sun 13 Sep

12pm–4pm Landscape Tour Find out about the landscape surrounding Big Pit.

Mon 26 Oct– Fri 30 Oct

12pm–4pm Half Term Activities Come along and have a ‘hoot’ with us making crafty owls and other autumn-themed crafts.

Sat 12 Dec 12pm–4pm Big Pit Babies A chance for younger visitors to join in the festive celebrations. Suitable for 0-5 years.

Sat 19 Dec 12pm–4pm It’s Christmas! Meet Father Christmas, give him your Christmas list and find out if you’re in his naughty or good book.

Caption 20–31 Jul, Miners’ Fortnight24 Jan, Celebrating Dwynwen Caption

4 Big Pit National Coal Museum www.museumwales.ac.uk 0300 111 2 333

26–30 Oct, Half-Term Activities