Black History Month 2014 at the Cowper and Newton Museum

The Cowper and Newton Museum are running an exhibition throughout October on Black history, as part of Black History Month 2014.

The museum will be looking at a variety of things, place and people over the month, including John Newton, William Cowper, Northants Black history and the slave trade, with a number of historical items to handle. There will also be a focus on Africa today, including the Olney-Newton link and looking at Advantage Africa.

Black History month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom in 1987, and is an annual observance in order to remember important people and events in the history of African diaspora, the communities throughout the world which descended from the historic movement of peoples from Africa.

If you haven't yet visited the exhibition you still have a few more days to see it. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm. Visit the Cowper and Newton museum website for more information.

Have a look at the official website for Black History month here.

Row row row your boat- What's on this Weekend?

As well as the events on through part of the MK Heritage Open days today, there are also a number of other events on this weekend...

Saturday

The Olney model railway club exhibition will be held at the Carlton house Club in Olney from 10.30am-4.30pm. Come along to see layouts, trade support, society stands and refreshments. Adults cost £2.50 and a family of four is £6.  Visit the website for more information.

The Milton Keynes Regatta also takes place today, consisting of two lane racing over a 500 meter course, with a variety of events in all categories including rowing, sculling, junior, senior and masters events. Racing will begin at 8.30am until 5pm, so do come along and cheer the rowers on at the rowing club on Caldecotte lake.

In the evening, come along to St Laud's Church in Sherington at 7.30pm to hear 'Ed and friends' play a light and varied programme of instrumental and vocal music. Tickets are £8 and are available on the door or from John and Pam Fielding. The concert is being held in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and St Laud's Church.

Sunday

HULA have another of their popular fete and dog show's today, including a variety of activities such as dog classes for all, doggie games and a fun photo competition (bring your pet photos). There will be assorted stalls, fun and games for children, bazaar and book stall and delicious refreshments, and the opportunity to come and meet the resident farm animals. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children, with all proceeds going to the care and welfare of HULA's animals. visit the website for more information.

Part of the Milton Keynes Heritage Weekend includes the medieval family fun day at Milton Keynes discovery centre, Bradwell Abbey, from 11am-4pm. The day will include a variety of hands-on activities, such as archery, birds of prey, medieval re-enactors and encampment, face painting, arts and crafts and more. There will be a great selection of refreshments, including hog roast, tea/coffee and cakes.

Visit the Cowpers Oak Country Pub and dining room from 4pm to enjoy 'last of the summer tapas'- enjoy some tapas and sangria as we say goodbye to summer!

Explore the heritage of Milton Keynes this weekend

Starting today, there's a whole weekend of free family fun in and around Milton Keynes as part of the MK Heritage Open Days, which celebrates its 20th year this year. Milton Keynes is home to a lot of history, and there is much to be learnt and discovered from this central place. Have a look at the website for a full list of what's on, there are numerous open days, tours and events, and we've included just a small selection below...

There have been a few events on today so you may have spotted a few, if not then don't worry you've got a few days left and there are some events on this evening for you to enjoy if you have the time.
This evening there is a talk from Kevin Varty; 'The Great War in 10 Objects' held at Milton Keynes Library from 6-7pm. There's also an evening ramble held at Ouzel Valley Park which costs just £1 or is free if you have the MK Heritage Open Days leaflet. Enjoy a tour with the Parks Trust rangers from 6-7pm.

Friday

Again, there are a great number of free events to choose from, including a number of walks, such as a heritage hunters walk around Willen lake, a railway walk and Stoney Stratford town and riverside walk to name just a few.

The Milton Keynes Museum will be holding open days, which today will include their annual beer festival, from 11am-4.30pm with a selection of real ales and cider and a BBQ. Check this out on any day of the open weekend.

There's also the beer and cider festival at the York House Centre with the 12th Cock and Bull real beer and cider festival from midday to 11pm, again it will be continuing over the weekend.

This evening, head over to Milton Keynes gallery for an hour long film titled 'Milton Keynes through the lens', showing images from the 1940s through to the present day. 7.30-9pm.

Don't forget to check the website for the full list of events.

Saturday

A number of the events will follow through from yesterday, but again there is a great selection of free things to do and see.

Bark in the Park, organised by the Parks Trust, is on from 10-11.30am at Tattenhoe Valley and is a chance to walk your dog while meeting other dog owners. Free with the presentation of the Milton Keynes Heritage Leaflet.

Have a look at the Bradwell Windmill at their open day, where you can see the early 1800s windmill restored to working order between 1.30-4.30pm.

Sunday

There's much of the same at the previous days today, so if you've missed something you liked the look of then make the most of the last day of the event today, as well as a few other items, including the exhibition at Double Tree Hilton Hotel celebrating the history of women's football from 7.30am-10.30pm, and a guided walk around the Homeworld '81 exhibition at 11am showing how the buildings have faded over the last 30 years.

There's a great variety of events and activities taking place over these 4 days of the Heritage Open Days, so you've got plenty of opportunities to get involved in something over the weekend.

Download the pdf brochure here.