Press Releases
St Fagans springs into summer
Date:
2007-05-31Record visitor figures and new appointments well for summer at the Museum. The recent change in weather hasn't dampened spirits at St Fagans: National History Museum, Wales' top tourist attraction. A successful start to the season saw visitor figures reaching a record high and with some exciting new plans being drawn up, the Museum can look forward to summer with confidence.
The Museum welcomed a record 103,446 people during April 2007, smashing the target of 76,000. Figures for May are also up on last year - over 70,000 compared with 64,054 in 2006.
"It's been a great start to the season," said Robin Gwyn, Director of Communications. "Over the last two months visitors have enjoyed new experiences at the Museum, not only taking advantage of the fine weather at our open air museum, but also discovering the groundbreaking Perthyn/Belonging exhibition at Oriel 1 - St Fagans' new gallery.
"The number of people visiting us during our centenary year shows that St Fagans' offering is as popular as ever. Summer events include evening performances by Everyman Theatre, a traditional fair, music by the lakes - all for free, thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government. We're also preparing for the opening of the medieval St Teilo's Church in October - the Museum's most ambitious restoration project to date."
In addition visitors can now learn more about the woodlands at St Fagans and about the creatures living in the trees from newly appointed interpreter Gareth Bonello. The gardening team are benefiting from its newest recruit, Sarah Thackeray, and Ian Daniel will soon be bringing the Iron Age alive at the Celtic Village.
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales celebrates its centenary in 2007. For more details go to the 07 pages on our website - www.museumwales.ac.uk.
Ends
For further information, photographs or interview opportunities, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer, on 07920 027067 / email catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk. Photograph attched: ‘Just a few of the thousands of visitors welcomed to St Fagans.'
Notes to Editors:
· Principality Building Society - Wales' biggest building society - is the main sponsor of Oriel 1, St Fagans: National History Museum's latest attraction. By investing in this new gallery, which was created in partnership with local groups, schools, authors, artists and poets, Principality Building Society is honouring its longstanding commitment to supporting the communities of Wales.
Formed in 1860, Principality Building Society now has 50 branches across the country and over 420,000 members.
For further information, please visit www.principality.co.uk.
- WESTCO flooring, suppliers of real wood and laminate floors, are proud to sponsor a series of activity booklets for families to use in Oriel 1 and the wider museum