Celebrations as Bagshaw re-opens

Cockerel featured on the new Batley artwork at Bagshaw Museum

Staff at the Bagshaw Museum in Batley are preparing for a big day as they get ready to open the doors there once again after a major refurbishment.

To celebrate, people from the town have been telling their own personal stories about Batley - some of which are now included in a new artwork.

Visitors will also get to see a display of rarely-seen 19th century paintings.

Ruth McDonald from Bagshaw Museum says: "I think people will be thrilled to see them."

Robert Hall looks at one of the Bagshaw's newly-restored paintings

The museum, which re-opens on 25 October 2009, now boasts two new galleries dedicated to Batley, a new picture gallery, a new Spirit of South Asia gallery and a temporary exhibition of those saucy seaside postcards made famous by Bamforth's in Holmfirth.

One of the main attractions will be what's described as a "stunning" new artwork created by women from Batley together with artists Jan Yates and Bronwyn Morris.

It is inspired by tales told by the women themselves and by people from across Batley and will be on show in the entrance hall to the Bagshaw.

A mixture of drawing, silk painting, printing and sewing, the artwork is based on the women's favourite stories - some funny, some sad, and some truly amazing.

It features many different images from rhubarb fields to biscuits made at the town's famous Fox's factory, from platform shoes to chickens.

Kim Strickson from Kirklees Museums and Galleries says: "One woman talked about the early days of Asian men arriving in the town to work in the mills. Often they arrived alone, sending their hard-earned wages back to their families in Pakistan or India.

"Shopping in Batley was a bit of a challenge. One gentleman wanted to buy a cockerel from a local farm, but didn't know the English for cockerel so he very politely asked for 'a chicken's husband'. The chicken's husband is featured in the textile hanging as a beautiful piece of painted and sequined silk."

Newly-restored paintings and drawings will enable visitors to appreciate the visual appearance of the house as it was originally designed." Robert Hall, Kirklees Museums & Galleries

Another bonus for visitors to the newly-opened Bagshaw Museum is the set of twelve Victorian paintings which have not been on public view for years, and some of which have been specially restored.

This repair process involves gentle cleaning and restoration of lost areas of paint.

Robert Hall from Kirklees Museums and Galleries says: "We are extremely pleased to be able to display a selection of works from the Kirklees Collection at the Bagshaw Museum, including newly-restored paintings and drawings that will enable visitors to appreciate the visual appearance of the house as it was originally designed."

The museum in Wilton Park re-opens amid much fanfare, with costumed characters and musicians filling the Bagshaw with sound and colour.

Young Magician of the Year Michael Jordon will entertain visitors with Victorian magic, juggling and balloon modelling, while English and Yorkshire music will be played by Robin Bowles on the piano accordion and Avtar Lota will play Indian music on the tabla drums and a stringed instrument called the dilruba.

Bagshaw Museum re-opens on Sunday 25 October 2009. It will open 11am to 4pm before reverting to normal weekend opening times of 12 noon - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. It will also be open Monday-Friday 11am - 5pm.