Youngsters have fun at the museum

7:00pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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MORE treasures were added to a museum’s trove as children got stuck into craft activities.

Swindon Museum’s art gallery was transformed into a gold workshop yesterday, as 34 youngsters created treasure chests out of shoe boxes.

The activities were organised in tandem with a treasure exhibition of ancient coins, a ring, bracelet and Saxon sword.

“The objective of today is for children to have fun,” said museum education officer Elaine Bennett.

“Time spent in the museum is never time wasted.”

Swindon Museum and Art Gallery acting manager Barbara Dixon said the workshop was a useful way to help children consider the passing of time.

“Items we commonly use now may eventually be thrown away and become treasure in 100 years,” she said.

“Sometimes people think history is a dry and dusty subject but it is a breathing subject, as it is developing all the time.

“This event brings a lot of people to the museum so they can enjoy art and see the objects on display.”

The children worked diligently making their chests before turning their attention to crowns and friendship bracelets. Ten-year-old Joseph Brooks, of Old Town, said: “It is good fun, as I am covering my chest in silver paper and going to cover it in gold along the edges.”

His mum Karon said: “It is great to see that the event is so popular and it is quite a nice age range.

“It is also nice to have something so local – we just cycled here.”

Eleven-year-old Lydia Branning said: “The activity day is good because the weather hasn’t been too great.

“I am really enjoying the arts and crafts and it is good to do something as a family.”

The treasure exhibition runs until October 18 with many items on display for the first time.