Press Releases

Welsh rugby star helps launch Museums & Galleries Month in Wales

Date:

2008-04-08

What do trains, planes and the equals sign have in common? The answer is that all these world-changing inventions began life here in Wales.

Our top inventors and innovators will be celebrated during Museums & Galleries Month (MGM) in May, backed by 2008 Grand Slam captain Ryan Jones.

Ryan is passionate about encouraging everyone to make the most of their local museums and galleries, not just for the month but the rest of the year as well.

He said: "I'm a firm believer that it's important to get a real sense of where we come from and understand the ideas from Wales that have helped shape the world we live in. I have many fond memories of visiting local museums and galleries in Newport as a child and being fascinated at the paintings, exhibitions and artefacts on display. I think MGM is a great opportunity to encourage more people to make a conscious effort to take advantage of the rich local culture on their doorstep."

MGM is a UK-wide campaign, which is supported in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government. It will take place between 1-31 May and this year's theme, ideas and innovation, allows museums and galleries to explore Wales's home-grown inventive talent. Special exhibitions on offer will range from the Gilbern Car - the only car to be produced completely in Wales - to behind the scenes tours of your local museum.

Heritage Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, said: "Museums & Galleries Month was a great success last year and we are hoping to build on that in 2008 by attracting even more visitors to venues across Wales. There will be something for everyone and the 'Museums at Night' events over the weekend of 17-18 May are sure to be a highlight for many. You don't have to wait until then, why not visit your local museum this week?"  

-Ends-

For further information please contact Caroline Holmes at Working Word PR on (029) 20488778 or e-mail caroline.holmes@workingwordpr.com

To arrange an interview with Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas, please contact Lowri Jones on (029) 20898980.

Picture caption - An unlikely advocate of Welsh culture, Grand Slam captain Ryan Jones helps launch Museums & Galleries Month (MGM) 2008 in Wales at National Museum Cardiff.  

Notes to editors

Museums & Galleries Month is the UK-wide celebration of museums and galleries, which takes place in May. Key activities planned so far are as follows:

  • Museums & Galleries Month 2008 - Thursday 1 May to Saturday 31 May
  • The theme for events and activities is: ‘Ideas and Innovation'
  • The Welcome Weekend - Friday 2 May to Monday (Bank Holiday) 5 May
  • Museums at Night Weekend will take place over the weekend Friday 16 - Sunday 18 May. The Europe-wide celebration will be on Saturday 17 May, and International Museums Day is on Sunday 18 May
  • Museums & Galleries Month is supported in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government. For more information about how the Welsh Assembly Government supports the museums, archives and libraries sector in Wales visit www.cymal.wales.gov.uk
  • Further information can be found on the website www.mgm.org.uk

MGM is a UK-wide campaign, which is supported in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government. It will take place between 1-31 May and this year's theme, ideas and innovation, allows museums and galleries to explore Wales's home-grown inventive talent. Special exhibitions on offer will range from the Gilbern Car - the only car to be produced completely in Wales - to behind the scenes tours of your local museum.

Heritage Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, said: "Museums & Galleries Month was a great success last year and we are hoping to build on that in 2008 by attracting even more visitors to venues across Wales. There will be something for everyone and the 'Museums at Night' events over the weekend of 17-18 May are sure to be a highlight for many. You don't have to wait until then, why not visit your local museum this week?"  

-Ends-

For further information please contact Caroline Holmes at Working Word PR on (029) 20488778 or e-mail caroline.holmes@workingwordpr.com

To arrange an interview with Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas, please contact Lowri Jones on (029) 20898980.

Picture caption - An unlikely advocate of Welsh culture, Grand Slam captain Ryan Jones helps launch Museums & Galleries Month (MGM) 2008 in Wales at National Museum Cardiff.  

Notes to editors

Museums & Galleries Month is the UK-wide celebration of museums and galleries, which takes place in May. Key activities planned so far are as follows:

  • Museums & Galleries Month 2008 - Thursday 1 May to Saturday 31 May
  • The theme for events and activities is: ‘Ideas and Innovation'
  • The Welcome Weekend - Friday 2 May to Monday (Bank Holiday) 5 May
  • Museums at Night Weekend will take place over the weekend Friday 16 - Sunday 18 May. The Europe-wide celebration will be on Saturday 17 May, and International Museums Day is on Sunday 18 May
  • Museums & Galleries Month is supported in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government. For more information about how the Welsh Assembly Government supports the museums, archives and libraries sector in Wales visit www.cymal.wales.gov.uk
  • Further information can be found on the website www.mgm.org.uk

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