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Oude Kerk
Short History Located in the red-light district and founded in the 13th century, the Medieval church is the oldest building in Amsterdam. Initially the site was host to a wooden chapel but was gradually replaced by a stone church. Initially Roman Catholic, the Oude Kerk was taken over as a Calvinist church after the Reformation…
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My Amsterdam Adventure!
Back in November both I and my mum finally got the chance to visit Amsterdam. I’ve adored Vincent Van Gogh (1853 – 1890) since I was a teenager, and his paintings were the start of my adventures in modern art. Naturally, the Van Gogh Museum had been on my list of ‘must-see’ places for quite…
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Kenilworth Castle
Since finishing my master’s degree, I’ve been visiting various castles around the UK. A few weeks ago my partner and I decided to venture to Kenilworth Castle. Located not too far from us, the ruins show five centuries of architectural development. It’s a gem in the center of England and was a joy to explore.…
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Museum Review: Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein
Back in 2021, I discovered that Bath would become home to Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein an immersive museum dedicated to exploring the life of the author, her links with Bath, and the influence of her novel. I finally managed to visit this year and it was well worth the wait. Why Bath? Whilst many associate Bath…
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Peggy Guggenheim: Saviour of Modern Art.
For Women’s History Month, I thought I would write about somebody who was instrumental in preserving many works of modern art. I am by no means an expert on Peggy Guggenheim, but her name has cropped up in several books I’ve read about the birth of modern art and, in particular, Surrealism. What stood out…
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Reading Connects the World: My Top Four International Libraries
It’s no secret to anybody who has read my work before that, like the majority of bibliophiles, I adore libraries. Whilst visiting various cities and villages around the UK I have always taken the chance to visit their libraries, one of which I ended up working at. This desire to visit such public institutions hasn’t…
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My Most Anticipated Exhibitions of 2021
Unfortunately, my plans to visit a variety of exhibitions last year had to be scrapped. Sadly, many museums had to either delay or completely discard some of the retrospectives that have taken years to plan and set up. The closure of museums, historic houses, and other cultural venues hasn’t been easy for the people employed…
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The Importance of Libraries
Libraries have a unique and fundamental role within communities. Working as a Library Services Assistant at the best of times, let alone in a pandemic, means that I’m constantly reminded of this fact. As a reader of this blog, you’re probably aware of some of the more obvious aspects of libraries but, as the demand…
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Making Magic: The Importance of Music Venues.
The live music industry has been hit hard by the Coronavirus Pandemic and there are many small venues, crucial to giving talented musicians a platform to showcase their work, which sadly won’t recover financially from it. Such venues, dotted all over the UK, have facilitated and supported a growing cultural framework for years by introducing…
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To All The Theatres I’ve Loved Before….
It’s been a difficult year for the arts. The Coronavirus pandemic put the plans of theatres on hold. For many this has had dire financial consequences with some having to close their doors for good. Leicester has been hit worse than most places with the extended local lockdown curbing any plans for rehabilitation. For many,…
The Museum Inspector 