On
Saturday 10th January, a group of ELHAS members enjoyed an all day visit
to the National Media Museum in Bradford. Travelling by train from Cross
Gates, they arrived at the museum at 10.30am where they were pleasantly
surprised to be welcomed by an attendant who explained all the day's activities
available to them.
Starting with the Kodak Gallery the group saw cameras and photographic
techniques reaching back from the 19th century to the present day. Featured
in the displays were unique cameras of particular historical importance,
including the camera which was used to photograph the 'Cottingley Fairies'.
Moving on, we visited the Blue Peter Exhibition and spent time in the
Experience TV gallery where we were able to try our hand at reading the
news and operating television cameras.
At 12.00pm, the group heard a short talk by one of the museum's interpreters
on the mystery of the Cottingley Fairies. Accompanying her talk with copies
of the photographs, she explained how two young girls baffled the world
with their photographs of fairies. The talk was ended with a final photograph
which the girls always maintained was genuine, although the other pictures
had been admitted as being faked.
Following lunch in the café, members had free time to explore the
other galleries such as TV Heaven, the Animation Gallery and the Magic
Factory.
The highlight of the visit was the Insight Tour conducted by a museum
curator. This took us behind the scenes to view many more of the museums
artefacts, not currently on display in the Galleries. The informative
and entertaining commentary by the curator was much appreciated by members.
As well as the galleries, Bradford National Media Museum also has three
cinemas including the famous 'IMAX', and provides an entertaining day
out for all the family.
Not even train delays on the return journey to Cross Gates could mar what
had been a thoroughly enjoyable day.