Horniman Museum and Gardens - March news from the Horniman

 

London Road Tree Planting Appeal The Horniman Gardens have always been a wonderful resource for the local community, and this past year has seen them play an even more important role in supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing. We now have plans to improve the planting on the Gardens boundary running parallel to the noisy and congested South Circular. The carefully designed woodland edge habitat will provide a natural and safe environment for wildlife, enhance biodiversity, provide shade, improve air quality and reduce noise pollution. Find out more and donate to our London Road Tree Planting appeal. Our Gardens remain open for exercise and wellbeing from 7.15am (8am on Saturdays) until 5.50pm. The Animal Walk, Butterfly House and Museum remain closed. Webinar: Museums Supporting Young People’s Music Education Friday 19 March, 12.30-5pm  Join this free webinar about how museums with ‘behind glass’ music collections can support music education for young people.   Speakers from museums, arts organisations and formal learning providers will talk about their successful music programmes designed with and for young people, and the importance of partnerships. Case studies will also include how to engage with young people from hard-to-reach and disadvantaged backgrounds.   Book your free place  Supported by Art Fund. Fire breathing dragon Get crafty and make a fire-breathing dragon, inspired by Chinese New Year which was on 12 February. The dragon is considered to be one of the most auspicious creatures in Chinese culture. Dragon dancing is traditionally performed during Chinese New Year and other festivities to drive away evil spirits and usher in good luck and fortune for the community. Watch the fire breathing dragon video to learn how to make your own. Snowdrops and parakeets on the Nature Trail A wander along the Nature Trail in spring can reveal surprising wonders including a parakeet’s egg and snowdrops. Our regular Nature Trail walker Daniel Harwood tells us more about how both arrived in this country. Read the Nature Trail blog Café Kiosks The Café Kiosks in the Gardens are open for hot and cold drinks, delicious sandwiches and snacks as well as tasty crepes at the weekend. Opening times are: Bandstand Kiosk: Daily, 9am – 4pm (until 5pm on weekends).  Crepe Kiosk (Cafe Terrace): Weekends only, 10am – 5pm. Find out more about eating and drinking at the Horniman Horniman Market   Every Sunday, 10am – 3pm Pick up essential food items including fresh fruit, veg and meat to take away. Follow @HornimanMarket on Twitter for the latest updates on which stalls will be at the Market each week.    Free entry Find out about the Horniman Market Horniman bisexual flag The Bisexual flag is now over 20 years old but many people are yet to hear of it or fully understand its meaning. Bisexual activist Michael Page created this flag featuring pink, purple and blue colours, to raise awareness and create a symbol of bi pride, just as the rainbow flag had done for the gay community.  In a new blog, we find out more about the design of the original flag and create a Horniman flag from objects in our collection (image on the right). Read about the Horniman bisexual flag.