The Bath Medical Museum will be hosting a series of fun activities for families over the week of 19-26 October, as part of the Bath Museums’ Week.
Alongside an exhibition of the history of pharmacy from the apothecary in the 18th century to the Boots of today, there will be free hands-on workshops with post graduate students from The Pharmacy Department at The University of Bath and a free guided tour around the sites of all the 1924 pharmacies in Bath.
In addition there will be an afternoon commemorating the life, work and music of Dr Claver Morris (1659 to 1727) accompanied by a series of musical diversions he loved, performed by the Corylus recorder consort from Bath U3A. Although Dr Morris lived in Wells for 50 years, he looked after the health of most of the local nobility and landed gentry in Somerset, including Bath. He was also an accomplished musician who often linked up with The Harringtons of Kelston and established and ran one of England’s first musical societies.
His fascinating life included riding horseback for thousands of miles in all weathers, risking life and limb on the Mendips, outwitting highwayman not only to treat his patients but also to involve them in playing and listening to all sorts of music. He also battled with the clergy of Wells to maintain his use of the cathedral Vicar’s Hall, while endearing himself to the poor because he was happy to have payment in kind or not even accept payment.
Paul Thomas a volunteer and Trustee at Bath Medical Museum, explained, “The museum, which is situated at The Hetling Pump Room in central Bath, concentrates, as its name suggests, on medicine in the city over 2,000 years. That’s why, during the upcoming half term, we are concentrating on the role of pharmacists in Bath over four centuries, with help from pharmacy students at the University of Bath, while also highlighting the work and music of Dr Claver Morris.
“Details of how to book are on the BMM website. We are hoping that mums and dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles will come along with the whole family to join in with activities suitable for everyone from 2 to 92!
“In the meantime, if you want a flavour of the museum’s offering, pop along any Saturday afternoon from 12pm to 4pm, or join the Wellbeing group which meets from 2pm to 4pm on every Tuesday. The museum is free to visit.