Museum friends and volunteers
Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum
The Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum is an independent support group. The Friends meet between September and April in Penrith and host talks on subjects of local and national interest.
Museum friends aim:
- to support the Museum in its aims and objectives.
- to assist in the acquisition of exhibits, especially of a local nature.
- to give five talks a year on subjects of local and historic interest.
- to assist the museum in a voluntary capacity when required.
Museum friends activities:
- Support the Penrith and Eden museum in it's aims and objectives.
- Assist in the acquisition of exhibits, especially of a local nature.
- Enjoy five talks a year on subjects of local and historic interest.
- Assist the museum in a voluntary capacity when required.
The Committee welcomes members to a new season, and extends greetings to visitors to our talks. Last year we welcomed a record number of visitors, several of whom became members. Our numbers our steady, but the Committee ask members to continue to advertise our existence, and encourage friends to come along. Strong membership is helpful when applying for grants for purchases. Suggestions of speakers, or venues for a visit are always welcome.
Join the friends of the museum:
Membership of the Friends is open to all.
Complete the Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum application form (PDF: 72Kb / 1 page). Return to the address on the form with the appropriate fee, see list of fees below.
Membership fees
- Single membership: £10
- Family membership for 2 Adults and Children under 18: £15
- Junior membership (Under 18): £1
- Patron: £50 a year
- Life Member: £100
Chairman: Mr Peter Simpson
Secretary: Mrs Bridget Davey
Email: greenrushes@gmail.com
Treasurer: Mr Stephen Hill
Email: stephenhill100@yahoo.co.uk
Programme of history talks for 2022/2023
The talks are held in the downstairs function room of Penrith Conservative Club, 11 Crown Square, Penrith CA11 7AB. Visitors welcome (£3). Parking available.
Viking Period Long house at Bryant’s Gill and its wider Cumbrian
context, Tuesday 7 March, 2pm
Excavations in the 1980’s in the Lake District valley of Kentmere revealed evidence for the first Viking period ‘North Atlantic’ style longhouse to be found in England. Steve Dickinson, who directed the project which revealed it, will introduce this find in the context of the origins and development of early medieval longhouses in Cumbria. Steve gave a paper about the Bryant’s Gill site at the 19th Viking Congress in Liverpool in July 2022, and the publication of it is due in 2024. He will also talk about exciting recent discoveries in West Cumbria that are set to transform our understanding of the Viking Age in the region.
AGM followed by History of Lowther and it’s landscapes from early times to the present day, Tuesday 18 April, 2pm
Ian has been on the forestry staff at Lowther since being taken on by the 7th Earl in 1982. He retired as a director of the Lowther Forestry Group in 2017, but came out of retirement last year at the request of the 9th Earl to assist with the management of the Lonsdale Settled Estate woodlands.
Covid 19 Precautions
- Hand sanitisers will be available, please make use of them.
- Seating will be spaced; do not move unless really necessary.
- Masks worn at your discretion.
- Windows will be open for ventilation so please dress appropriately.
- Please do not attend if you have Covid symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has.
Museum volunteers
No roles currently available, please keep checking back for updates. Contact the Museum Curators on the details below for any specific information about volunteering at the museum.