The new displays are taking shape

Lots of work has been going on here and we are starting to near completion.  The walls have been painted, the wood varnished and the cases installed.  Recently, the lights in the new Images of Witchcraft display were installed inside the new case and they look lovely.

Interesting Conference in Cambridge in March tickets now available

THE ALCHEMICAL LANDSCAPE: Counterculture, Occulture and the Geographic Turn

Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge 23rd March 2015

An interdisciplinary symposium presented by the Cambridge University Counterculture Research Group

An increasing number of writers, artists and film-makers are re-investing the British landscape 

with esoteric and mythic imagery. From the revival of 'Folk Horror' to the cross-over between 

magical and artistic practice, this 'enchanted' representation of the rural works as both a link 

to the past and an articulation of pressing contemporary concerns.

This special one-day symposium at the University of Cambridge seeks to explore the creative,
aesthetic and political implications of this'geographic turn'.

Confirmed
speakers include:

Andy Sharp (English Heretic)
Sharron Kraus (Friends and
Enemies, Lovers and Strangers)
Drew Mulholland (Mount Vernon Arts Lab / The Norwood Variations)
Chris Lambert (Tales from the Black Meadow)

Please consult our website for full programme details, venue details and information regarding 

ticket purchase:

http://thealchemicallandscape.blogspot.co.uk/

Conveners

Yvonne
Salmon FRSA FRGS FRAI
Preceptor, Corpus Christi College
Lecturer, University
of Cambridge

James Riley FRSA
Fellow of English
Corpus Christi
College
University of Cambridge

First West Country Folklore Symposium a real success!

We had a great day at the Eden Project on Saturday.  So many talks of different varieties, some great discussions too.  We also got to watch some fantastic folk tales which have been turned into animations.  They can be watched online http://mazedtales.org/ Thanks so much to the organisers (Steve Patterson and Alex Langstone) Let's hope it can become an annual event!  

Pagan Federation Spring Conference coming soon

The Museum of Witchcraft will be appearing at the PF Conference on March 7th near Bude.  We will have a stall with items from our shop, updating PF members about developments at the Museum and also opening the Museum on Sunday only for those who have been to the Conference.  For tickets and more info about PF membership http://www.paganfederationdevonandcornwall.co.uk/

Song inspired by Joan Wytt

We've just heard about a song which was inspired by a visit to Boscastle and to Joan's grave in particular.  The group are a folk duo called Plumhall
http://www.plumhall.co.uk
and the song is on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhur118Hy88

Season of the witch: why young women are flocking to the ancient craft

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/24/witch-symbol-feminist-power-azealia-banks

Interesting video on Borley Rectory Ouija Board can now be viewed online

Many thanks to the person who alerted us to this video on the making of this ouija board:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKByePuZH7k

We're taking part in Boscastle Walking Week

There are lots of walks taking place during the popular Boscastle Walking Week in April this year and we are very happy to be involved.  Our walk around Boscastle is on Thursday 23rd April at 2pm and will be led by Steve Patterson (a long time supporter of the Museum and an excellent speaker on all things folkloric!)  The walk starts and ends at the Museum and will include a guided tour of the collection - should be a great event.

For more information on all the walks and for information on how to book visit the National Trust Visitor Centre in Boscastle or
http://www.visitboscastleandtintagel.com/dbimgs/BOS%20TTL/walks%202013%20download%20NT/walkweek2015printsept11th.pdf

http://www.visitboscastleandtintagel.com/events/boscastle-walking-week

Peter Underwood obituary

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/dec/17/peter-underwood?CMP=share_btn_fb

Women in Print Event April 11th

We're proud to be associated with an upcoming event in Boscastle.  This is Women in Print: Witchcraft and the Popular Press 1920- 1990, April 11th 2015 9.30am- 4.30pm, The Wellington Hotel, Boscastle, Cornwall.  It will be a fantastic day of talks and discussions (with a chance to hear a talk by the Museum's own Joyce Froome!)

For more information and to book tickets, use the websites below.  Please note, tickets cannot be purchased from the Museum directly (sorry)

http://buyonline.mmu.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&modid=2&catid=9&prodid=317

https://womeninprintnetwork.wordpress.com/

Generous donation from Troy Books

Last week, the Museum received a generous donation from Troy Books - a special edition of Cecil Williamson's Book of Witchcraft A Grimoire of The Museum of Witchcraft.  The author of the book (Steve Patterson) and Gemma Gary and Jane Cox of Troy Books presented the book to the Director of the Museum, Simon Costin in the library.

Gemma and Jane also presented Simon with a beautiful picture of the Museum's founder, Cecil Williamson.  This picture was drawn by Gemma and will form a part of our new Cecil Williamson display in the re-furbished first room of the Museum.

This has been a very successful time for Troy Books, not only is the book selling well they were also received a reward recently for it.  It is the Balkens Arcane Bindings of Esoteric Book of the Year 2014. See http://balkansarcanebindings.blogspot.co.uk/ for more details.  

  

May 16th Day of Talks

Folklore Event at Eden Project coming soon

There are still some tickets left for this event where the Museum will have a stall.  Should be a great day...

Museum renovation work

Work has gone well this past week at the museum, with everyone joining in to help with the cleaning, sanding and painting in the shop and some of the ground floor galleries. The Victorian cabinets have been installed and the new temporary exhibition space is being built currently.

Visitors will be able to learn about Cecil Williamson and the history of the museum as well as seeing a new re-display in the first gallery space.