First Museum Pop-Up Shop, Stratford-Upon-Avon, October 2011

Story posted on March 1, 2011

Plans are being made for the first of the Museum of British Folklore's Pop-up shops. The Pop-Up shops are an integral part of our programme for this year, and are envisaged as spaces where we can engage with the local communities based around our forthcoming exhibitions. The Pop-Up at Stratford-Upon-Avon Civic Hall, Warwickshire will open on 1st October for one month to run pre- and during 'Remember, Remember: A History of Fireworks in Britain', at Compton Verney (opening on 14th October).

The shop will sell an interesting mix of artists work and new museum merchandise and visitors will also be able to purchase the catalogue and pre-exhibition tickets for the show at Compton Verney.

  In addition, the Pop-Up venue will host a small exhibition about the Museum, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about British Folklore through a community education programme, in which participants can create work for display and contribute their own folk tales and reminiscences.   

Our stay at Stratford-Upon-Avon Civic Hall coincides with the 'Mop Fair'– an annual tradition that remains strong in the area, commemorating the practice of hiring agricultural and domestic staff during the reign of Edward III. Labourers would attend wearing or bearing the accoutrements of their labour. Those with no particular skills would attend carrying a mop, hence the name 'Mop Fair'. The fair is held on 11th & 12th October, then there is the smaller 'Runaway Mop' (traditionally to re-hire staff if those selected at the first fair were not satisfactory!) on 21st & 22nd October. Both events take place directly opposite Stratford-Upon-Avon Civic Hall.

  We will keep you posted on our progress developing the exhibition and will forward details of events and opening times nearer the date.

First Museum Pop-Up Shop, Stratford-Upon-Avon, October 2011

Archives