Threads: Clothing, Memory and Identity
2025-10-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-27 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
Celebrate all things fashion in our summer exhibition and explore ideas
of memory and identity through the clothes we wear.

Collection Conversations - Sasha Wardell & Helen Wilks
2025-10-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Next up in our series of art talks, we will be joined by Sasha Wardell and Helen Wilks.
Sasha has over 40 year’s experience in the world of bone china and porcelain, having studied in two centres of excellence; Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom and Limoges, France. She has taken elements of this industry and adapted them to a studio environment. Sasha has concentrated on perfecting the craft-based skills which enhance the inherent qualities of bone china and her carefully produced distinctive work embraces and reflects contemporary taste and lifestyle.
Helen Wilks was a student at the Bath Academy of Art, Corsham. She is a narrative painter, probably best known for three cycles of works: Childhood Fragments, Punch & Judy and The Inhabited Space. Additionally, she has made very many works based on theatre performance and collaborations. Autobiographical themes, often reoccur in her work.
Free, booking essential
For sold out events, email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to join a waiting list.
Image 1: Shoal Vases, Sasha Wardell, slip cast bone china
Image 2: Childhood Fragment: Hair Doing, 1991, Helen Wilks, oil on canvas

Lights Up, Sounds Down - Quiet Opening
2025-10-27 10:00 - 16:30 | REME Museum, Calne Road, MOD Lyneham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4XX, United Kingdom
Join us for a more relaxed visit at the REME Museum during this special opening outside of our regular hours.
We have designed these ‘Lights Up, Sounds Down’ days to reduce sensory input for individuals who would prefer a quieter experience. These sessions are primarily for, though not limited to, anyone who has sensory processing disorder; autism; social, emotional or mental health needs; dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other sensory needs.
During these days we will have:
Lights On – our overhead gallery lighting will be turned on, without spotlights, to create a brighter environment in which to explore.
Sounds Down – we will reduce sound effects throughout the museum as much as possible by turning off most ‘surround sound’ interactives and reducing volumes.
Sensory maps – we have marked out any areas around the museum where you may find louder interactives or visual effects that we cannot turn off. This means you can choose your own route and avoid any areas as you wish.
If you would like to bring any sensory items (including but not limited to ear defenders, magnifying glass, book, squeezy toy) that will help you or your loved one to enjoy their experience better, please feel free to do so, just make sure you hold onto it and take it home with you!
Further Information

Pre-booking is essential for these visits, please use our online booking system.
Usual entry fees apply. Included in your annual pass.
Any visitors who wish to join us for the full museum experience, including normal sound effects and visuals, should avoid visiting during these special openings. We advise you to book a general admission visit.
Please note Crown’s Café will be closed. The gift shop will remain open to ticket holders only. Find out how to get here and more about accessibility at the museum.
Last entry 15.00.
If you would like to visit with a larger SEND group, please get in touch to arrange a special booking.
If you have any questions about our ‘Lights Up, Sounds Down’ sessions please email us at enquiries@rememuseum.org.uk or call us on 01249 894869.

October Half Term Activities
2025-10-28 10:00 - 2025-10-31 16:00 | REME Museum, Calne Road, MOD Lyneham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4XX, United Kingdom
This October Half Term, join us at the REME Museum for spooktacular STEM and crafts activities for all the family to enjoy.
‘Rocket Powered’ – Tuesday 28 October
Drop-in, Education Suite
Design and launch your own bottle rocket or air powered car, using the same principles of engineering in rocket science! Led by our Education Officer, Andrew.
LEGO® Engineering – Wednesday 29 October
Pre-bookable sessions, Education Suite
Unleash your inner engineer and build a vehicle from LEGO® that will actually drive! Recommended for ages 7 and above.
Meccano Makes – Thursday 30 October
Drop-in, Education Suite
Get hands-on with Meccano construction sets to engineer your own vehicle, equipment and more! Recommended for ages 7 and above.
‘Build a Tank’ Junk Modelling – Friday 31 October
Self-led, Creation Station
Come and create your own special REME-inspired vehicle to take away with you! Get creative and see what you can make from recycled materials. The only limit is your imagination!
Miniature Assault Course – Every day 28-31 October
Drop-in, outdoors
Take on our miniature army-style assault course! Race your way across the course or take your time and enjoy the challenge! Please note: This activity is weather dependent.

All activities included in museum entry fee. LEGO® Engineering workshops must be pre-booked.
If you would like to visit during Half Term but would prefer a quieter environment, please take a look at our October Lights Up, Sounds Down day. There will be no workshops or extra activities on this day.
If you are planning to visit as a Holiday Club or similar group, please contact us to arrange a special booking. We can accommodate larger groups if you book in advance.

REME Museum's Christmas Fair
2025-11-22 10:00 - 16:30 | REME Museum, Calne Road, MOD Lyneham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4XX, United Kingdom
Kick off your festive shopping at the REME Museum Christmas Fair on Saturday 22 November 2025!
With festive stalls full of handmade goods and local offers, get in the holiday spirit and purchase gifts for loved ones, find that perfect Secret Santa gift or simply buy a treat for yourself.
The Christmas Fair runs throughout our Conference Room and Education Suite, with clear directions between the two so you can make sure you get to see all the stalls! No need to book, simply turn up!
Since the event is not being held in the galleries, you can decide whether you’d like to simply enjoy the Christmas Fair or book an admission ticket to explore the Museum too!
We’ll be releasing information on stalls and refreshments nearer to the event.

Collection Conversations: Chris Dunn & Andrew Langley
2025-11-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
In November’s Collection Conversation, we will be joined by Chris Dunn and Andrew Lansley.
After studying at Bath Spa University, Chris Dunn worked as a freelance illustrator producing portraits and conceptual illustrations. A commission to illustrate the Wind in the Willow, has led to him beginning a full-time artist specialising in traditional children’s book watercolour illustration. He now works from Calne where the surrounding countryside is a constant source of inspiration
Andrew Lansley produces work from many different but direct sources. This may entail a variety of material abstractions or work directly related to impressions and experience of the landscape. In using raw pigments combined with a variety of mediums he achieves a direct connection to the elemental quality of landscape. Working in this way can be explosively fast and at other times may be meticulously analytical.
For sold out events, email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to join a waiting list.
Image 1: Kite Flying in May, 2019, Chris Dunn, watercolour and gouache
Image 2: Upavon, 2018, Andrew Lansley, egg tempera

Annual Twelfth Night Celebration
2026-01-10 10:30 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Keep the festive spirit going and join us for Twelfth Night, our annual celebration of the events of 878CE. With the help of Manaraefan Viking & Anglo-Saxon Re-enactment Group, we’ll be exploring our Royal Saxon past and the part Chippenham played in making King Alfred great!
This year we will also be joined by local artist April Barlow, who will be bringing plenty of creative festive fun. Come along and discover what was hidden in the Twelfth Night cake, who the Lord of Misrule was and what they got up to, and find out which party game Jane Austen liked to play.

Creative Writing Workshops: 16-18 Year Olds
2026-01-15 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-22 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-29 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-02-05 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-02-12 16:30 - 18:00 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Join us as we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of local antiquarian and famous biographer, John Aubrey. Open to young people aged 16-18, these free workshops offer the chance to develop your writing skills and see your work in print.
Aubrey was an archaeologist, scientist, and historian who, from a young age, collected stories and local legends from people across Wiltshire. He used these to create a series of mini-biographies collectively known as Brief Lives.
Inspired by Aubrey’s work, participants will use the museum’s collection of portraits, taken by local photographers in the 1900s, as creative prompts to write their own ‘brief life’ for these anonymous figures.
An experienced writer will lead the workshops, helping young people develop their skills and explore new writing forms and genres, including:
Poetry and lyric writing
Dramatic monologues and short scripts
Short stories and flash fiction
The project is supported by the Friends of Chippenham Museum and will conclude with a special celebration of the work produced, including a printed publication.
These workshops are free, but spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Please contact the museum to reserve your place.

Find out more about the Chippenham – Our History project on this website here.

February Half Term Activities
2026-02-17 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-18 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-19 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-20 10:00 - 16:00 | REME Museum, Calne Road, MOD Lyneham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4XX, United Kingdom
STEM activities for all ages to get stuck into at the REME Museum.
LEGO® Engineering Workshops – Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 February
Pre-bookable sessions, Education Suite
Unleash your inner engineer and build a vehicle from LEGO® that will actually drive! Led by our Education Officer, Andrew, these sessions are limited in capacity to allow for suitable supervision, please book your space in advance to avoid disappointment. Recommended for ages 7 and above.
‘Build a Tank’ Junk Modelling – Thursday 19 February
Self-led, Education Creative Area
Come and create your own special REME-inspired vehicle to take away with you! Get creative and see what you can make from recycled materials. The only limit is your imagination!
Magnus Flyers Workshops – Friday 20 February
Drop-in sessions, Education Suite
Discover the phenomenon known as the ‘Magnus Effect’ as we teach you how to turn plastic cups into a gliding object flying through the air!
Miniature Assault Course – every day Tuesday – Friday, 10.00 – 15.00 (weather permitting)
Take on our miniature army-style assault course! Supervised by serving soldiers, will your young explorers make it to the top of the leaderboard?
All activities included in entry fee, general entry applies (see details on our website).

Lady Chatterley’s Cover: The Book Designs of Stephen Russ
2026-03-07 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-09 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-10 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-11 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-12 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-14 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-16 10:00 - 16:00 and 3 more dates | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
The post-war book designs of artist and teacher, Stephen Russ, are coming to life at Chippenham Museum.
From the forties to the seventies, Russ produced dozens of dust jackets, from striking first editions of Graham Greene at Bodley Head to a wide range of titles at Collins, including nature books and the famous Collins Crime Club.
He is perhaps best known for his work with Penguin, designing covers for the main orange series, the lesser-known music scores, and the highly collectible Penguin Poets series. His phoenix motif for DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover became famous during the 1960 obscenity trial and featured in the marketing that helped make the book a bestseller.
The exhibition also celebrates Russ’s thirty-year career as a tutor at the renowned Bath Academy of Art in Corsham, brought together with the generous support of the Russ family and loans from the Penguin Archive and the University of Bristol.

Collection Conversations: John L Harris and Genevieve Sioka
2026-03-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
In March’s installment of our free art talk series, we will be joined by John L Harris and Genevieve Sioka.
John L Harris graduated in graphic design at Ravensbourne College of Art in 1966. In the following years he worked as a graphic designer, film producer, illustrator and painter in watercolour, acrylics and oils. Having moved to the Wiltshire countryside near Calne 40 years ago he has developed a deep relationship with the Wiltshire landscape and wildlife.
Genevieve Sioka studied printed textiles at Winchester School of Art, followed by printmaking at the University of the West of England. Growing up in Cherhill, Wiltshire, Sioka worked in the creative industries and lectured in fashion, textiles and printmaking, before returning to the local area. Sioka works predominantly in painting and printmaking, exploring layers of colour and texture in an energetic and expressive abstract form.
Free, booking essential
Image captions:
Left Image: Holding on, undated, John L Harris, acrylic on canvas
Right Image: Lockdown, 2020, Genevieve Sioka, acrylic on canvas
