Chinese New Year at Coalport China Museum

Visitors to the Coalport China Museum in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire on Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February 2009 can celebrate the Year of the Ox. Traditional festivities will include, dance, martial arts, brightly-coloured decorations, paper-craft and other creative workshops.

Amongst the weekend’s highlights will be several special performances of the Lion Dance, which legend says brings good fortune for the New Year, and T’ai Chi demonstrations. There will also be Chinese games and puzzles and a children’s discovery trail through the museum including Chinese Zodiac animals.

Drop-in workshops over both days will include creating your own blue and white china design with ceramic transfers, paper-folding, brush painting and decorating paper lanterns. Families can also make and play with colourful dragon shadow-puppets. These workshops will take place from 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm on both days; activities will vary each day and additional charges may apply.

In addition, the museum’s year-round ceramic demonstrations will be taking place and the fine Coalport and Caughley porcelain collections will be on display. Many pieces will show the influence that the 1,500-year-old Chinese porcelain industry has had on British ceramics.

One of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Coalport China Museum is open 10am-5pm seven days a week. A Passport to all ten museums valid for twelve months and multiple return visits costs £14.95 per adult, £12.95 for the 60 plus, £9.95 for students and children and £48 for a family of two adults and three children aged up to 18 years in full time education; under 5’s free.

Alternatively, single admission tickets into Coalport China Museum cost £5.95 for adults, £4.25 for children and students, and £5.45 for senior citizens.

For further information, log on to Ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).