Celebrate 1000 years of Canterbury's history
04 February 2010
A unique glimpse into 1000 years of Canterbury's history was unveiled by broadcaster and renowned historian Dr David Starkey at the Sidney Cooper Gallery on Friday 5 February.
Canterbury: England's Crucible.
Funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the exhibition Canterbury: England’s Crucible, will bring the City’s history to life in a way that has never been tackled before. Especially designed for children and families, the exhibition uses 20 exclusively created, giant art panels to tell the city’s story alongside local archaeological gems, a free city trail and interactive fun to explain the city’s significance throughout the ages.
Mike Butler, Arts Manager for Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “The exhibition is a great way to discover how the City became a World Heritage Site. Come and enjoy a journey some of the most important years of the city's history from the arrival of St Augustine to the Viking raids on the city, the building of the Norman castle, Becket's Martyrdom, the Black Death and Henry VIII's destruction of St Augustine's Abbey.”
The exhibition will host local archaeological finds loaned by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, including a full human skeleton from the medieval period. A large model of the city in the 16th century will also be on hand for children to explore, as well as a specially illustrated book, free city trail and free puppet shows are being performed every Saturday in February and March at 12.30pm,2pm and 4pm. Henry VIII will give storytelling sessions in half term week.
Canterbury: England’s Crucible will be open to the public from Saturday 6 February to Saturday 27 March at the Sidney Cooper Gallery, St Peter’s Street, Canterbury. Opening times are Tuesday to Friday 11am – 5.30pm and Saturday 12noon – 5.30pm.
For more information visit www.canterbury.ac.uk/crucible-history
Photographs of the exhibition and quotes from Dr David Starkey are available to the media upon request.
Notes to Editor
• Ten of the 20 specially commissioned giant art panels, which depict many of the city’s important moments in its history, will be installed permanently in the Cathedral Schools Education Centre after the exhibition.
• The Sidney Cooper Gallery is situated in the heart of Canterbury, and provides the local the community with free access to innovative exhibitions.
• After extensive refurbishment, the University re-opened the doors of the Sidney Cooper building in 2004 as a first class, city centre, exhibition gallery for its students, staff and the local community.
• Canterbury Christ Church University’s reputation for supporting arts and culture in the region grows stronger with our internationally-renowned Music Department and a commitment to completing a world class, purpose built concert hall with the St Gregory’s Project.
• With over 50 courses ranging from performing arts, to film, radio, television and visual media classes, we are also a significant provider of higher education for Kent’s arts and humanities students.
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University has, since its foundation by the Church of England as a teacher training college in 1962, developed a wide range of taught programmes, research and educational services. It continues to be the largest centre of higher education in Kent for the major public services.
The University now has over 16,000 students based in five Faculties: Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Education, Health and Social Care, Social and Applied Sciences. Our 1,500 staff contribute to the University’s work at our five campuses: Canterbury, Broadstairs, Folkestone (in partnership with the Creative Foundation and the University of Greenwich), Medway (in partnership with the Universities of Greenwich and Kent with Mid-Kent College) and Tunbridge Wells.
In so doing we seek to sustain the University’s Mission:
‘Inspired by the University’s Church of England Foundation and the aspirations of our students and staff, our mission is to pursue excellence in academic and professional higher education thereby enriching both individuals and society.’
Contact Details:
Jeanette Earl
01227 782391
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