Minutes

Minutes – 2018

2018

November Minutes PDF 68.4 KB

For minutes prior to October, 2018, please contact the Museum Manager.

Minutes – 2019

The museum has been nationally acclaimed & offers a very broad range of services, from galleries interpreting the cultural heritage of the Vale of White Horse, to a café with a delightful terrace & garden.

Tel: 01235 771 447

Email: info@valeanddownlandmuseum.org.uk

Events

Events in May 2026

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
				1 9:30 am: Warneford 200 Exhibition 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 21st April 2026 – 3rd May 2026 Mental Health Through the Ages Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital Step into 200 years of mental health history in Oxfordshire: Trace the story of Warneford Hospital from its early 19th-century beginnings to its role today at the heart of mental health care and research. Tuesday 21st April - Saturday 3rd May On display in the museum's Squires Gallery Open 9.30am - 3.45pm (last admission 3.30pm) Free admission but please consider donating to the museum Children must be accompanied by an adult., 10:30 am: Age UK Information Drop-in 10:30 am – 12:00 pm 1st May 2026 Community Links worker Sam from Community Links Oxfordshire (Age UK) will be in the Museum Coffee Shop to share information and give advice on a wide-range of activities, services and organisations. Friday 1st May 10.30 am - 12 noon Free admission but please support the Coffee Shop	2 9:30 am: Warneford 200 Exhibition 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 21st April 2026 – 3rd May 2026 Mental Health Through the Ages Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital Step into 200 years of mental health history in Oxfordshire: Trace the story of Warneford Hospital from its early 19th-century beginnings to its role today at the heart of mental health care and research. Tuesday 21st April - Saturday 3rd May On display in the museum's Squires Gallery Open 9.30am - 3.45pm (last admission 3.30pm) Free admission but please consider donating to the museum Children must be accompanied by an adult.	3 9:30 am: Warneford 200 Exhibition 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 21st April 2026 – 3rd May 2026 Mental Health Through the Ages Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital Step into 200 years of mental health history in Oxfordshire: Trace the story of Warneford Hospital from its early 19th-century beginnings to its role today at the heart of mental health care and research. Tuesday 21st April - Saturday 3rd May On display in the museum's Squires Gallery Open 9.30am - 3.45pm (last admission 3.30pm) Free admission but please consider donating to the museum Children must be accompanied by an adult.
4	5 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 5th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	6 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 6th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40, 1:30 pm: Life in Wantage Workhouse Talk 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm 6th May 2026 "I'd sooner die in a ditch" Sem Seabourne will be telling us the story of how the poor and unemployed inhabitants of Wantage have been dealt with over the years, particularly since the building of the final workhouse in 1834, and sad tales of human misery. Wednesday 6th May 1.30pm £7.50 per person Please book in advance online here or in person at the museum Suitable for people aged 16+ This talk is part of our Adults Gallery Talks Programme for Autumn 2025 - Summer 2026. The Museum Coffee Shop will be open with refreshments available to purchase before and after this talk. Last orders at 3pm. Please note food and drink are not permitted in the Museum galleries, so please allow enough time to visit the Coffee Shop.	7 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 7th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	8 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 8th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40, 10:00 am: Meet the Artists 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 8th May 2026 Artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are back at the museum with a new exhibition as part of Oxfordshire Art Weeks. Come along to meet them, discuss their art and ask them questions. Friday 8th May 10am - 12 noon Saturday 9th May 11am - 1.30pm Jill and Patsy's exhibition Light and the Landscape is on display in the Squires Gallery until Saturday 23rd May. Admission is free but please consider donating to the museum.	9 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 9th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40, 11:00 am: Meet the Artists 11:00 am – 1:30 pm 9th May 2026 Artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are back at the museum with a new exhibition as part of Oxfordshire Art Weeks. Come along to meet them, discuss their art and ask them questions. Friday 8th May 10am - 12 noon Saturday 9th May 11am - 1.30pm Jill and Patsy's exhibition Light and the Landscape is on display in the Squires Gallery until Saturday 23rd May. Admission is free but please consider donating to the museum.	10 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 10th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40
11 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 11th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40, 10:00 am: Toddler Tunes 10:00 am – 10:30 am 11th May 2026 A fun and friendly music session of traditional songs and rhymes played on a variety of instruments. Monday 13 April, 11th May, and 8th June. 10am - 10.30am. £2 per child, adults go free but must book an adult ticket. Book tickets online here	12 9:00 am: Friends of VDM - Trip to Weald and Downland Museum 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 12th May 2026 Join the Friends of the Vale & Downland Museum for day trip to the wonderful Weald & Downland Museum. The Weald & Downland Museum is an open-air museum with over 50 rescued historic and working buildings, travelling through 1,000 years of rural life, learning the human and material stories that each has to tell. Tuesday 12th May The coach will depart from Seesen Way, Wantage at 9am and return to Wantage by 5pm. Tickets: Members: Under 60s £38, Over 60s £36 Non-members: Under 60s £42, Over 60s £40 How to book: Online via Ticketsource* Phone 0333 666 3366** In person at the museum When booking tickets you are required to provide the following;a mobile telephone mobile number that organisers can contact you on the day name and contact telephone number for an emergency contact for each person attending Failure to provide these details may result in your booking being cancelled. A password is required to purchase tickets at members prices. Members should have received the password from the Friends Committee. Bookings made online or by telephone will incur booking fees., 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 12th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	13 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 13th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	14 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 14th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40, 7:30 pm: Friends of VDM Talk - Oxford Z - A 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm 14th May 2026 Join the Friends of the Vale & Downland Museum and speaker Richard O. Smith for another fascinating talk Richard O. Smith is a comedy writer who contributes material to Radio 4's The Now Show, The News Quiz and BBC 2's Dara O'Briain's Science Club. The talk is funny, entertaining yet historically accurate ride through the quirky and eccentric characters, customs and stories of Oxford - a city that hums with history. Revel in true tales of Oxford’s oddballs, pranksters, poets, murderers, explorers, scientists, actors, criminals and politicians (there may be some crossover here). Tickets: Members of the Friends £5 each (requires a password) Visitors £7 each How to book: Online via Ticketsource Phone 0333 666 3366* In person at the museum Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. *bookings made online or by phone incur booking fees	15 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 15th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	16 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 16th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	17 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 17th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40
18 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 18th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	19 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 19th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	20 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 20th May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	21 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 21st May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	22 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 22nd May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40, 12:30 pm: Live Music - Greengage 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm 22nd May 2026 Wantage folk band Greengage will be in the museum cafe for a lunchtime performance. Enjoy lunch from the cafe with some lovely live music. Free admission but donations to the museum welcome. Please support the coffee shop.	23 9:30 am: Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape 9:30 am – 3:45 pm 23rd May 2026 Light and Landscape Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape. Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more! Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm. Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit. *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see: Artweeks venues 39 and 40	24
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2018

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Events in May 2026

Mental Health Through the Ages

Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital

Mental Health Through the Ages

Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital

Mental Health Through the Ages

Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital

Mental Health Through the Ages

Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital

Mental Health Through the Ages

Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital

Mental Health Through the Ages

Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital

Mental Health Through the Ages

Commemorating 200 years of Warneford Hospital

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape

Light and Landscape