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Chippenham Museum has launched its latest online exhibitions, including activities for families to enjoy over the February half term.

‘Loose Threads: The Don Little Collection X Bath Textile Artists’ is now open to visit on Chippenham Town Council’s website. The exhibition was due to open on 9 January before lockdown came into effect and the museum closed its doors. Now visitors can experience the exhibition, online talks and a February Half- term activity, all free to enjoy from home until the museum can re-open again.

A celebration of the heritage of Chippenham and the surrounding area, Loose Threads is a collaborative exhibition between Chippenham Museum and Bath Textile Artists. The exhibition centres on the Don Little Collection. Donald Little lived in Chippenham his entire life and bequeathed to Chippenham Museum his vast collection of postcards, photographs and ephemera relating to the town. This collection reflects his fulfilling life at the heart of the Chippenham community, from his work at Westinghouse, to his support of Chippenham Carnival, Athletics Club and Civic Society.

Councillor Teresa Hutton, Mayor of Chippenham, said, “We are extremely proud of our museum’s exhibition programme, with a new display of Chippenham’s history or local artwork to enjoy with free entry every few months. It’s important that we can still offer this to our community to enjoy during these times.”

Two free online talks will accompany the exhibition, with bookings now open. Enjoy a journey through Don’s postcard collection with ‘A Postcard from Chippenham’ on Saturday 6 February at 2pm. Discover the processes and inspirations behind works in the exhibition by joining a discussion with Bath Textile Artists on Saturday 6 March, 2pm.

For families, the museum will be launching postcard-themed activity ‘Greetings From Chippenham’ over February half term. Learn about postcards, postage and create your own to send to a loved one.

Melissa Barnett, Head of Heritage & Museum Services at Chippenham Town Council, said, “For this exhibition, we wanted to explore the opportunities of technology to remain open virtually for Chippenham and, thanks to the Internet, the rest of the world! Whilst we all spend time at home, we hope viewing the exhibition or joining a talk helps our community find comfort from nostalgia whilst also taking a moment out to enjoy creativity.”

Bath Textile Artists is a well established group and members come from a wide area around Chippenham. It represents many forms of textile work including hand and machine stitching, dyeing, silk painting and collage. In 2018, the group exhibited with the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution in which members interpreted items held in the Institute’s archives.

Chippenham Museum, a Chippenham Town Council facility, is free to visit. The museum is currently closed during lockdown, visit the museum’s webpage or social media for re- opening news and visitor information.