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Meet the Experts

Posted on 23rd August 2023 by Maddy Scott

Do you know your optometrists from your oenologists? How about your conservators from your curators? Meet the faces behind the titles and try your hand at some specialist techniques, including classic car renovation and jewellery making! Here are some of our favourite expert-led events for this year.

A close up of a gold ring on a wooden wedge. It is being cut with a wire on a saw.© Pruden and Smith - Not all that glitters is gold. Discover the intricacies of silver smithing this September

Jewellers: Glittering craftsmanship

Pruden and Smith (East Sussex)

Go behind the scenes at Pruden and Smith’s jewellery workshop. See how traditional techniques and modern technology are used to create contemporary jewellery, including a tour of the forge, finishing room, main workshop and exhibition of objects to illuminate the tour. See the specialist equipment required to bring designs to life, from lathes to lasers, traditional silversmithing tools to new technology.

A woman is standing in a film vault. She is far away down an aisle, under a spotlight. She is between two very tall shelves filled with film reels that stretch back into the darkness.

Find out what it takes to look after some of our most precious film and TV history / © BFI

Conservators: Films forever

BFI National Archive (Hertfordshire)

Go behind the scenes at the British Film Institute and find out how this world-class archive and collections centre is able to preserve our film and TV heritage for future generations. Chat with conservators and archivists, wander round exhibitions, join mini tours and watch demonstrations to discover how this multimedia archive preserves, stores and restores British visual culture.

A group of children and adults are gathered around a white table in a museum. A woman is showing them a wartime ration box and water bottle

Hear from the curators themselves about what it takes to keep a museum running! / © Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum

Curators: Caring for the past

Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum (Cornwall)

Come and explore the collections with a bespoke object highlight trail around the museum, filled with examples of creativity and Cornish history. There will also be talks from the Curator throughout the day, all about what it takes to run a museum and the artwork in the collection. Take the rare chance to get up close with objects from the stores that are not usually on display.

Screen showing a presentation on a wall of large historic images. Woman stood next to it talking to a group of people.

Uncover your family history using the amazing resources at Quarry Bank / © Findmypast

Genealogists: Tracing our roots

Findmypast & National Trust (Cheshire)

Ever wanted to trace your family tree, but had no idea where to start? Visit Quarry Bank and get to grips with Findmypast’s family history records, have a chat with a host of genealogy experts and listen to talks on how to trace your heritage. Explore billions of online records, and learn how to research newspaper archives - who knows what you might find! There will also be the opportunity to hear the fascinating stories of the site itself, and the stories of the people that lived and worked at this workhouse.

Horticulturalists: Bloom and grow

Friends of St Giles Hill Park (Hampshire)

Uncover the history of St Giles Hill, from its origins as an execution site to a much loved city park. Join horticulturalist and historian Dr Harry Mycock on a walk across and around the hill, and hear about the local flora and fauna that covers the space. Climb through the wooded areas to the top of the hill to enjoy the views across Winchester, including the Norman cathedral, Gothic guildhall and medieval Great Hall.

Technical drawing of an old car revealing its engine.

Meet the experts who lift the bonnets and restore the engines of cars like this 1932 Lanchester / © DLOC

Mechanics: Lift the bonnet

Lanchester Archives - Coventry University (West Midlands)

Shift gears and get up close with a display of Coventry Classic Cars at the Frederick Lanchester Building at Coventry University. Find out how restoration experts, heritage skills providers and engineers are able to restore, repair and renovate these beautiful vehicles and get them back on the road.

Corner of a white room with framed eye test charts on the walls.

What's the lowest line you can read? See more than test charts at this Opticians appointment! / © College of Optometrists

Optometrists: Quite the spectacle!

The College of Optometrists (London)

Head over to the headquarters of the UK’s professional, scientific and examining body for ophthalmic opticians - eye doctors. These 18th century townhouses are the home of the newly refurbished British Optical Association Museum, housing historical vision aids, sight test equipment, antique spectacles from across the world and various works of art, a lodging house, doctor’s surgery and a crime scene! Keep an eye out for the ghosts that are reported to haunt the halls, while you explore the refurbished Council Room, Print Room, Panelled Room and Library.

Ornate building frontage. Two rows of windows below a tiled roof.

Discover how buildings like this have been carefully restored / © Nottinghamshire Buildings Preservation Trust & Newark Civic Trust

Restorers: Beautiful building blocks

Nottinghamshire Buildings Preservation Trust & Newark Civic Trust (Nottinghamshire)

Have you ever wondered how ancient and historic buildings manage to look the same as they did hundreds of years ago? Find out how heritage builders are able to maintain and repair historic buildings, and have a go at some of the skills yourself. Watch demonstrations of the techniques and see which specialised equipment is used to keep our beautiful buildings intact.

Scientists: Testing, testing

Oxford Preservation Trust (Oxfordshire)

Meet the scientists at the forefront of cancer research and medical development at Oxford University. Tour the labs where vaccines are created, genomes are studied and doctors are working to fight this disease and develop the medicines of the future.

Panoramic view of a vineyard.

Follow the life cycle of a glass of wine, from the ground to barrel to glass! / © Laurel Vines

Viticulturists & Oenologists: From grape to glass

Laurel Vines & Beverley Civic Society (East Riding of Yorkshire)

Enjoy a stroll through the vines then tour the winery. Meet the experts at this award-winning family run site who grow the grapes then convert them into delicious drinks!

PLEASE NOTE - These events were accurate at the time of publication but the details may change. Some events require pre-booking. Please check the individual entries for updates and details.

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