There's always something happening at this “living” museum – sweet making in the Sweet Factory, horses at work in The Town, lessons in the Village School, ‘clippy' mat making in the pit cottages – and many other activities.

The calendar for our 2008 events is shown below.

Meccano Exhibition – Saturday & Sunday, 26th & 27th April

Find out about the world of Meccano - real engineering in miniature. Meet the makers and see fascinating models and historical items tracing more than a century of development of one of the world's best-loved hobbies. In association with the North East Meccano Society.

Power from the Past – Sunday, 4th May

From horse power to pedal power - a collection of meticulously restored motorcycles, bicycles, horse drawn vehicles and stationary engines on display. All of the exhibits on show have been returned to their former glory by the Friends of Beamish.

May Festivities – Monday, 5th May

A recreation of the colourful and traditional May Festivities in The Colliery Village, with a May Queen and Maypole dancing competition.

*STEAM GLORIOUS STEAM – SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 10TH & 11TH MAY

A Traction Engine Rally with magnificent steam vehicles, dating from the 1890s up to the 1930s. Traction engines of all types on show and in action in and round the Goods Yard at the Beamish Railway Station.

The Georgian Garden – Sunday, 18th May

Guided talks and walks around the beautiful Georgian gardens at Pockerley Manor. Take a stroll with experts and explore the formal parterre and vegetable gardens and the orchard.

Empire Celebrations – Saturday & Sunday, 24th & 25th May

A British Imperial Celebration of the end of the Boer War, held each year on the birthday of Queen Victoria. The Award-winning Town is decorated with patriotic flags and colourful bunting and brass band performances commemorate Empire Day.

Sunday School Anniversary – Sunday, 1st June

An important day in the Methodist Chapel calendar with recitations, readings and hymn singing by children in period costume, together with a Methodist choir recital.

Durham MG Club Meet – Sunday, 1st June

Splendid MG cars from throughout the North gather at Beamish. The show is open to all MG models – on display are fine examples of the MG T series, MGAs, MGBs and MG Magnettes, dating from the 1930s to the 1980s.

1913 Military Camp – Saturday & Sunday, 7th & 8th June

Soldiers of the King! Hurry along to The Colliery Village to enlist, fill out Attestation Forms and earn the King's Shilling. Members of The Great War Society re-enact this pre-First World War military encampment.

North Country Quilting – Saturday & Sunday, 28th & 29th June

Demonstrations of the traditional craft of North Country Quilting and patchwork, together with a small exhibition of fascinating handmade quilts from the extensive Beamish collection. Plus ‘Ten of the Best' quilts from the Beamish collection on display from 30th June to 6th July.

Dig into the Past – Saturday & Sunday, 12th & 13th July

National Archaeology Weekend

An Award-winning event set at Pockerley Manor. A whole host of fascinating demonstrations and activities, including baking, calligraphy, candle making, corn dolly making, pole lathing and traditional Northumbrian pipe music. Part of a national campaign by the Council for British Archaeology.

Cleveland Bay Discovery Day – Saturday, 19th July

Find out more about the Cleveland Bay horse – a rare breed with origins in the North of England. Meet Cleveland Bays from the Beamish Stud and visit an exhibition run in conjunction with the Cleveland Bay Horse Society.

*GEORGIAN FAIR - SATURDAY, 9TH AUGUST

A recreation of the hustle and bustle of an 1825 Fair at Pockerley Manor. Adding to the atmosphere and excitement will be fire-eating, corn dolly and basket making, military drills, musket firing and traditional Northumbrian pipe music.

*NAPOLEONIC MUSTER – SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 9TH & 10TH AUGUST

An exciting and authentic recreation of a Napoleonic recruiting muster in the splendid setting of our 1825 exhibit, Pockerley Manor. Re-enacted by the 68th Regiment of the Light Infantry in full battle dress.

North Country Quilting – Saturday & Sunday, 9th & 10th August

Demonstrations of the traditional craft of North Country Quilting and patchwork, together with a small exhibition of fascinating handmade quilts from the extensive Beamish collection.

Morris Minor Rally – Sunday, 17th August

The North East branch of the Morris Minor Owner's Club will host their summer rally at Beamish, giving visitors the opportunity to see these fabulously presented classic vehicles.

Triumph Stag Car Day – Sunday, 17th August

Beautifully presented Triumph Stags travel to Beamish from throughout the country. Invited guests include other Triumph car clubs, on display alongside the Stags will be gleaming Spitfires, TRs and Triumph Heralds – motoring nostalgia from the 1950s, 60s and 70s !

*HORSE PLOUGHING MATCH & COUNTRY CRAFTS – SATURDAY, 23RD AUGUST

Ploughmen from throughout the country compete in the annual Beamish Ploughing Match. Watch the magnificent heavy horses at work, with traditional harness and ploughs and see the preparations for the ‘Decorated Heavy Horse' class. Explore a fascinating display of horse-powered farm machinery nearby along with country crafts demonstrations of basket, corn dolly and harness making and traditional pole lathing.

Lace Making Weekend - Saturday & Sunday, 23th & 24th August

See demonstrations of the fascinating skill and intricacy of lace making and an exhibition of exquisite lace work from the Beamish collection.

*PRIZE LEEK SHOW - SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 6TH & 7TH SEPTEMBER

A traditional leek, vegetable and flower show in the appropriate setting of The Colliery Village. Local gardeners exhibit home grown produce and there's the customary grand auction to close the Event.

Harvest Festival – Sunday, 7th September

Colourful displays of fruit, vegetables and flowers fill the Village Chapel for the Harvest Festival and a Methodist choir leads the harvest hymn singing.

Corn Dolly Weekend – Saturday & Sunday, 20th & 21st September

Find out how these traditional decorations are made – it's much more difficult than it looks! Try your hand at making them in the Corn Dolly Exhibition in The Town and see the corn dollies on display around the Museum.

*CLASSIC CAR DAY - SUNDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER

Presented by The North East Club for Pre-War Austins.

A cavalcade of almost 200 splendid cars, from the 1920s up to the 1970s, travel to Beamish arriving at around 11am. Shining representatives of motoring history, including Daimler, Morris, Riley and Vauxhall, are on display to visitors until 4pm. The largest gathering of collector's cars in the region.

Harvest Home Supper - Saturday & Sunday, 11th & 12th October

See the preparations for the Harvest Home Supper at Home Farm and Pockerley Manor. The mouth-watering spread at Home Farm includes raised game pies, trussed chicken and ox tongue, whilst dishes of the day at Pockerley Manor are pickled pigs feet, baked rabbits in custard and salamagundy.

*Indicates a major Event.

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In addition to the events listed, there are a number of fascinating demonstrations and ‘happenings' at Beamish throughout the summer season.

 

Highlights include -

Steaming at the Station - Demonstrations of shunting with Locomotives in Steam at the Railway Station

Brass Band Concerts - Local bands will play in The Town park Bandstand

Chapel Choirs - Local Methodist choirs will give recitals in The Colliery Village Chapel

Harness Making ­ Demonstrations of leather harness making in the Carriage House in The Town

Lace Making - Demonstrations of traditional lace making in the Town

Concertina Player – Enjoy traditional concertina tunes in Home Farm kitchen

Basket Making - Demonstrations of traditional basket making with the opportunity to buy the handmade crafts at Home Farm

Corn Dollies – Display and demonstrations of Corn Dolly making at Pockerley Manor and Home Farm