The Friends of the Doncaster Museums
Events
Welcome
Throughout the year The Friends of the Doncaster Museums organises events and activities, for its members, to stimulate interest in the arts, history and heritage within Doncaster and surrounding area. From time to time we may promote events by other organisations that we think may be of interest to our members.
If any of our members have any suggestions in regard to speakers/events, please e-mail them across to: chair@thefriendsofdoncastermuseums.co.uk
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 13th September, 11am
The friends Annual General Meeting will be held at DGLAM, Flying Scotsman room.
Our AGM will be followed by a talk about the Grand Theatre presented by Bill McHugh, we hope our members can stay for this.
An email will be sent to members regarding the agenda for this meeting.
Trip to the town of Beverley
Tuesday 23th September
We have arranged a trip for our members to enjoy the delights that Beverley has to offer. It has a rich history, beautiful architecture and a variety of attractions. The Minster, a Gothic masterpiece, the Treasure House, and art gallery, and a large selection of coffee shops, restaurants and shops.
There is a £15 per person charge, more details have been provided, by email, to our members.
Rail 200
Saturday 4th October 10:30 - 13:30
Nigel Hyde will be giving a talk at DGLAM Flying Scotsman room, relating to Rail 200 which will include a tour of the museums locomotives.
Rail 200 celebrates the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. More details can be found at railway200.co.uk
Christmas Social
Saturday 6th December
The Friends ever popular Christmas Social is one to look forward to. As always there will be games, our annual raffle draw, and buffet.
11:00 to 14:00 in the Paddington Room DGLAM.
My Life in Books & My Journey to Publication
Saturday 31st January 2026.
A talk by actor, director, and author Angela Wren. For more information on Angela visit her website www.angelawren.co.uk.
The talk will be held at DGLAM, Flying Scotsman room, at 11am.
Past Events
Summer Social
Held on Saturday 5th July in the Paddington Room at DGLAM.
The Friends Summer Social event was a chance to have fun, meet fellow members, and to get to know the trustees better.
As the event was a success we will be holding another Summer Social next year.
Lincoln Trip
Tuesday 20th May
The Friends arranged for its members to visit Lincoln, where they had the opportunity to explore the city's many historic sites.
Doncaster's
Mansion House
A Talk by Jackie Gladden
From The Friends of Doncaster Mansion House
On Saturday 26th April Jackie Gladden gave an insightful talk about the Mansion House. Opened in 1749 Doncaster's mansion house is one of only three in the country, the others can be found in York and London. It is hoped will be able to arrange a follow up tour of the Mansion house at a later date.
The Friends would like to thank Jackie for her talk and our members for attending.
Murder in Victorian Doncaster
A Talk by Nicola Fox, Collections and Exhibitions Officer
(Social History)
On Saturday 8th March, 2025, Nicola Fox gave a talk recounting a number of murders that took place in Victorian Doncaster. We learnt about the victims and their killers, in a fascinating insight into the crimes of that period, how they were handled and the eventual outcomes of investigations.
Thank you to our members for attending, and to Nicola for the very informative and excellent presentation.
The Murder of Carolyn Susan Challenor
A Talk by Retired Detective Superintendent John Hope
On Saturday 8th February, 2025, John Hope delivered a talk about the murder of Carolyn Susan Challenor. John, a retired Detective superintendent who served for 33 years, provided a fascinating insight in to the investigation of Carolyn's murder, her body was found in an orchard in Bawtry in 1993.
Thank you to our members for attending, and to John for the excellent talk.
Christmas Social
14th December 2024
Our annual Christmas social was a great success, and a big thank you to all those that attended, and for the hard work of trustees that made this event possible.
I hope our guests enjoyed the games, and lets not forget the buffet for which we would like to thank the staff of the 1910 café.
The annual raffle was drawn and winners will be notified.
There was also the craft store with a great selection of handmade gifts made by our trustees.
Annual Raffle
The annual raffle was drawn on Saturday 14th December 2024 and the lucky winners will be notified. A big thank you to everyone that bought tickets.
Ben Parkinson Portrait
Saturday 2nd November.
A portrait of Ben Parkinson, Commissioned by The Friends of the Doncaster Museums, was unveiled by Ben in front of honoured guests.
We thank all those attended the event, and the staff at Danum Gallery Library and Museum (DGLAM) for their hard work in making this event a success. We also thank our members and sponsors.
The portrait is now on public display at the Art Gallery (level 2), DGLAM.
More photos and details can be found on our articles section.
AGM
Saturday 21st September
Today was our Annual General Meeting held at the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum. We took the opportunity to thank David Adgar for his dedication and hard work during the past five years, as he stands down as our Chair, of course there was cake.
Dr Matthew Jones (on the left of the adjacent photo) has kindly stepped in as the new Chair of The Friends of the Doncaster Museums. I and the other trustees look forward to working with Matthew and our members to continue the valuable contribution we make to Doncaster's museums and archive. I'd like to thank all those that attended today and the museum staff.
The Trustee’s Report, April 2023 – March 2024, is now available in the Chair's Report section of this website.
Nathan Turnbull, Trustee.
Cusworth Hall
Isabella's Garden
Wednesday 14th August saw a group of Friends join a guided tour of the Walled Garden and Lady Isabella's Garden at Cusworth Hall. Led by David Shore, the Head Gardener, the group were able to view recent developments and get an overview of plans to develop things further. It was a lovely morning and a number of us decided to make a day of it and retire to the cafe for lunch.
St Catherine's Walled Garden
Members Visit
On Tuesday 9th July, a small group of members braved the torrential downpour to join the Head Gardener of the Walled Garden at St Catherine's in Balby.
Notwithstanding the rain , our members were fascinated by the way the garden is developing and future plans. The site is being developed to promote well being and our visit to the cafe for coffee and cake certainly improved ours! The final 'garden visit' organised for the summer will take place at Cusworth Hall on 14th August.
Brodsworth Hall
On Tuesday June 25th there was an organised tour of Brodsworth Hall and Gardens. Built in 1860s the hall is one of the most complete examples of a Victorian country house, with stunning gardens.
Celebrating Chinese Culture
Doncaster has a significant Chinese Community. To celebrate their contribution, to the city, The Friends are working with local community groups, businesses and individual practitioners to develop a programme of events and visits during 2024. The programme will culminate in the early months of next year, when The Friends will help develop an exhibition in the Community Gallery at DGLAM.
At the beginning of the year, artist Olivia Pang delivered two calligraphy workshops, and these were followed by two guided tours of King Asia Food factory. The programme continues with a Tai Chi workshop and then an examination of traditional Chinese medicine. The Friends would like to thank all those who have contributed to this programme of events.
