Dr Brian Iddon MP celebrates Museums and Galleries Month in Parliament

Bolton South East MP, Dr Brian Iddon has lent his support to Museums and Galleries month by signing a Commons Motion congratulating the Campaign for Museums for their work in supporting Museums across the UK to raise their profile and encourage more people to visit them.

Dr Iddon MP said,

“I would encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of their local museums. In the North West we have a wide range of museums to cater to peoples interest, be it science and technology, art or local history. Shortly Bolton Museum will open a new exhibition about the potential powerful properties of plants, which combines history and science as well as looking towards the future.

I am pleased to be able to congratulate the Campaign for Museums on their hard work in raising the profile of important role museums can play in the local communities.”

Museums and Galleries Month runs from 1^st to 31^st May, its theme is “Night at the Museum” following the cinema release of the same name earlier in the year and recommends museums schedule a special screening of the film in addition to encouraging them to open their doors later in and evening so more people can access their collections.

2. In February at a Museums and Libraries Reception in Parliament Dr Iddon was able to see and hold the watch worn by Samuel Crompton, the inventor of the Spinning Mule. Samuel Crompton bought the watch with the money he made from first selling his idea for the Spinning Mule. The watch had been to Parliament on an occasion previously when Samuel Crompton had come to Parliament to ask for financial support to help him with his invention. Although Crompton was given a grant by Parliament he continued to struggle to make his invention pay. He died in poverty in 1827 and in 1862 a statue was erected to him and placed in Nelson Square to mark his contribution to Bolton’s industry. The watch is on display in Bolton Museum.  

3. The exhibition referred to at Bolton Museum will open on 11^th May and will run until 7^th July, further details can be found here http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/whatson/exhibition-chesney-11may