A group of older people in Leeds will form a flock of budding birdwatchers this winter thanks to a heart-warming new community project. Through an innovative partnership between Leeds Museums and Galleries, arts organisation Skippko and older people’s support network Armley Helping Hands, the group is being encouraged to spot and identify the…
Keep ReadingBeautifully rendered in perfect pearl, these tiny statues illustrate one of the many ways nature’s unparalleled creativity has been utilised by humans. Currently on display at Leeds City Museum, the gently shimmering effigies are contained within a large, freshwater oyster shell. Originally inserted into the molluscs by oyster farmers, the miniature statues of Buddha…
Keep ReadingBeautiful creations made by some of the natural world’s most accomplished animal architects have been revealed in a new exhibition in Leeds. Using objects carefully fashioned during the life cycles of species from around the world, Beavers to Weavers, which opens at Leeds City Museum today (July 6), brings nature’s incredible ingenuity to life…
Keep ReadingMagnificent western lowland gorilla Mok is one of the most impressive specimens in Leeds City Museum’s Life on Earth gallery. But the story of how the young primate came to be displayed in Leeds is actually quite the tragic tale. Captured in central Africa, Mok was originally put in a cage in the lobby…
Keep ReadingSurprised passers-by watched as a huge Tibetan yak slowly emerged from Leeds City Museum yesterday. The impressive stuffed mammal, which measures almost three metres long, was carefully manoeuvred out of the museum on Millennium Square and into a waiting truck before being whisked away for important conservation work. Routine monitoring by the museum team…
Keep ReadingA weird and wonderful collection of objects seized from smugglers is being revealed in an exclusive museum Twitter tour next week. The bizarre array of exotic items includes a crocodile head ashtray and a stuffed mongoose in the grip of a hungry snake and was mainly found during raids and searches by UK customs…
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