Chinese New Year at Coalport China Museum

Visitors to the Coalport China Museum in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 February 2008 can celebrate the Year of the Rat which stands for cleverness, energy and good humour in the Chinese Zodiac.

Traditional festivities will include music, dance, brightly-coloured decorations, paper-craft and other creative workshops, while the museum galleries demonstrate the influence that the 1500-year-old Chinese porcelain industry has had on British ceramics.

Amongst the weekend’s highlights will be several special performances of the Lion Dance, which legend says brings good fortune for the New Year, folk dancing, T’ai Chi, martial arts and traditional music plus a session of children’s group games in the afternoons.

Drop-in ceramic workshops over both days will explore Chinese writing and design with tea bowl painting or carving into clay tablets, as well as paper lantern making, dragon shadow puppets and brush painting. This year for the first time there will also be a room of Chinese games and puzzles and a children’s discovery trail through the museum following the Chinese Zodiac animals. These workshops will take place from 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm on both days; activities will vary each day and additional charges may apply. A selection will also be offered during half-term from 9 - 17 February.

In addition, the museum’s year-round ceramic demonstrations will be taking place while the fine Coalport and Caughley porcelain collections will be showcased.

In the year of the 2008 China Olympics the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is working closely with the local Chinese community, the biggest ethnic minority group in Shropshire. A range of activities and workshops will be held throughout the year especially highlighting its collection of Caughley porcelain and the ‘Chinese Whispers’ exhibit, which explores the influence of China on the British porcelain industry. Visitors will see how Caughley’s use of blue and white porcelain, decorated with Oriental scenes and landscapes, was a direct result of the popularity of similar Chinese imports during the 18th century.

One of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Coalport China Museum is open 10am-5pm seven days a week. An Annual Passport, which allows unlimited daytime admission to all ten of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums for 12 months, costs £14 per adult, £12.50 for senior citizens, £9.50 for students and children, and £46 for a family of two adults and three children aged up to 18 years in full time education.

Alternatively, single admission tickets into Coalport China Museum cost £5.25 for adults, £3.75 for children and students, and £4.80 for senior citizens.

For further information about the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and accommodation in the area, visit ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).