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Kettering Museum and Gallery is celebrating its highest combined visitor figures after welcoming 38,837 visitors last year.

The Alfred East Art Gallery saw its highest visitor figures in fifteen years as 19,940 people passed through the doors in the twelve months up to March 2019. Last summer’s ‘Looking in Wonderland’ exhibition of Alice In Wonderland etchings was a massive hit, and the current ‘Prints Charming’ exhibition has also proved popular, alongside a regular programme of film nights, lunchtime talks and art workshops.

The Manor House Museum saw a 9 year high, booming to 18,897 visitors. ‘Local Treasures: The British Museum comes to Kettering’ was a major contributor to this increase, as visitor figures rose by 30% on the same months last year (September – January). 5,699 people visited the exhibition which featured loans from the British Museum, including the world-class Desborough Mirror and Desborough Necklace; the first time they had returned to the Borough since being discovered in Desborough during the 19^th century. The current Design Icons exhibition offers a nostalgic view of design icons from the 60-80s, and family events during in the summer and autumn also proved popular in attracting visitors to the Museum.

Kettering Museum and Gallery is looking to build on last year’s success with a series of new exhibitions and events in 2019/20. From May, the museum will host a brand new ‘Out to Play’ exhibition, with local author Ian Addis, looking at the history of parks and outdoor spaces across Kettering. In January 2020, the gallery will receive a number of loans from the Tate for ‘2020 Vision: a Contemporary View’. These loans will complement contemporary artists from the permanent collection, and will be the first time it has had loans from the Tate.

Guy Holloway, Head of Corporate & Cultural Services at Kettering Borough Council, said:

“We are delighted to see more and more people visiting these key cultural venues in Kettering, and we are anticipating another productive year ahead. With the Museum hosting world class treasures from the British Museum last year, plans for the Gallery to borrow from the Tate in January, and the regular local history, art and family fun activities, we really are proud of the variety offered by Kettering Museum and Art Gallery.”

Cllr Scott Edwards, Kettering Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community & Leisure, said:

“I am thrilled to hear that almost 40,000 visitors have been able to enjoy the cultural offer on their doorstep in Kettering. These numbers highlight the quality of the programmes, projects and exhibitions on offer throughout the year at Kettering Museum and Art Gallery.”

Calling all sports clubs, associations and anyone with an interest in promoting health & wellbeing – come and take part in the first ever Kettering Wellbeing Festival

Kettering Borough Council is planning a weekend of health and wellbeing activities for the Borough of Kettering on the 22nd-23rd June 2019.

We’re looking for groups, clubs, associations, individuals and businesses to help provide access to the huge range of activities that promote healthy behaviours and improve wellbeing, across Kettering Borough.

The weekend is about promoting all different aspects of wellbeing, for all ages, including physical, social and mental. With that in mind, we’re looking for anything from football to flower arranging, walking to watercolours, yoga to yodelling!

The festival is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of who you are and to meet individuals who could benefit from the great things you do.

There is no charge to take part!  We’ll be promoting the fun at Northampton Road recreation ground and Boughton House, and beyond.

Northampton Road Recreation Ground and Boughton House will both be used as showcases for some activities but it’s not just about Kettering; we would love events in the other towns and villages to reach everyone.

To register your interest head to www.kettering.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing-festival or to discuss further, please call 01536 534 313 or email healthandwellbeing@kettering.gov.uk by 26^th April. 

Shirley Plenderleith, Head of Public Services at Kettering Borough Council, said:

“We want local people to have access to the full range of activities supporting good health and wellbeing. Get in touch and let us know what you can offer so we can show that the Borough of Kettering is a great place to be.”

Cllr Scott Edwards, Kettering Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community and Leisure, said:

“We feel this festival can be the seed from which improvements in their health and wellbeing can grow. If local groups and clubs join in, we can promote their activities and show people the variety of activities on offer in the Borough of Kettering. We want this to be sustainable and capable of growth which is why we want to work with everyone to make this a success.”