Great North Museum: Hancock

Thank goodness for innovation. Podfo Ltd Bespoke Biometric Insoles are comfortable, durable and hygienic. They really do make walking a pleasure! www.podfo.com
Images: early 20th century arch supports from the Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums collection. Podfo Bespoke Biometric Insole.

We hope you've been enjoying the mixed reality 'DeepFrame' displays next to our T. rex ­¤”¢ https://youtu.be/sfdDosPoRvo

A museum takeover for Great Exhibition of the North 2018, featuring over 200 loan items from across the UK

Podfo Ltd will be back again tomorrow to carry on Keeping the Great North Moving. They will be outside 10am-3pm to answer any questions you have about Podfo and their bespoke biometric insoles, and even show you using some special tech, where the pressure points are on each of your own individual feet. https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/ŌĆ”/podfo -bespoke-biometric-iŌĆ”

Zoe and Hannah, two Nuffield Research Placement Students working with the Newcastle University Institute of Neuroscience, are here today, Wednesday & Thursday to provide the opportunity to take part in some on-going research into stereoscopic ŌĆ£3DŌĆ£ vision. The friendly team will be demonstrating and testing a new fun test called ASTEROID. You can find them upstairs in the museum. #Research #familyfun #vision

Wallace & Gromit film screenings Wednesday 8 August and Thursday 9 August Times for both days: > 11am - A Grand Day Out > 1pm - The Wrong Trousers... > 3pm - A Close Shave Exhibition Hall 3, 1st floor Free, donations welcome. No booking required, drop in. ------------------------------ Enjoy screenings of three classic Wallace and Gromit films from Aardman Animations.
A Grand Day Out (U | 23min)
Wallace and Gromit enjoy a day out with a difference when a quest to find cheese prompts a visit to the moon. Despite a few hiccups with their homemade rocket, the duo makes a successful lunar landing, arriving just in time for lunch. But a strange, mechanical being isnŌĆÖt too happy to see Wallace eating slices of moon cheese...
The Wrong Trousers (U | 30min)
When money troubles prompt Wallace to take in a lodger, life at West Wallaby Street gets complicated for poor Gromit. Forced out of his room to make way for a cool-as-a-cucumber penguin called Feathers McGraw, itŌĆÖs not long before he feels well and truly usurped as WallaceŌĆÖs faithful companion.
A Close Shave (U | 30min)
Business is booming for Wallace and GromitŌĆÖs new window-cleaning service and lifeŌĆÖs pretty dandy at West Wallaby Street, especially when the new venture introduces Wallace to the fragrant Wendolene, owner of the local wool shop ŌĆō and a rather ferocious mutt named Preston.
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Today weŌĆÖre getting involved with Great Exhibition of the North 2018 at the Family Expo.
It is on today and tomorrow from 10am - 4pm and is free to attend. Come on down and say hello!

Tonight we're open until 9pm with a special event celebrating inspirational Northern women, past, present and future. We'd love to see you here ­¤Æ¬­¤æ®ŌĆŹŌÜĢ’ĖÅ­¤æ®ŌĆŹ­¤Äō­¤æ®ŌĆŹ­¤ö¦­¤ æ®ŌĆŹ­¤ÅŁ­¤æ®ŌĆŹ­¤ö¼­¤æ®ŌĆŹ­¤ÜĆ­¤ż▒

With just over 24 hours to go we have been busy creating a #ThisGirlCan Active Newcastle protest bike for our Late event tomorrow night. Full event details ­¤æć https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/ŌĆ”/the-f emale-of-the-speciesŌĆ”

Meet the Polar Researchers - Michael Bentley and Louise Callard Tuesday 7 August 30 minute sessions at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Exhibition Hall 3, 1st floor Free, donations welcome. No booking required, drop in.... --------------------------- Michael Bentley and Louise Callard from Durham University have undertaken more than 20 expeditions to the polar regions.
They'll be talking about how the new Royal Research Ship 'Sir David Attenborough' will allow researchers to better understand how ice sheets have changed over time and help them predict how the seas could rise in the future.
You'll be able to see some pictures from their expeditions, as well as hearing about geophysical research techniques.
Suitable for ages 14+
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The King of South Shields Friday 10 August, 3-4pm Film running time 24 minutes, plus Q+A session. Exhibition Hall 3, 1st floor Free, donations welcome. No booking required, drop in.... ------------------------------ Enjoy a screening of The King of South Shields followed by a question and answer session with director Tina Gharavi.
The King of South Shields is an award winning documentary looking at the day that Muhammad Ali came to Tyneside in 1977 and the effect that this event had on the young Yemeni-British men who attended the Mosque. This film examines the emerging Arab/British identity and briefly introduces this historic community.
Dr Tina Gharavi is a Sundance/BAFTA-nominated screenwriter/director initially trained as a painter. Fearless in storytelling, Gharavi is noted for innovative cross-platform work, often about outsiders, rebels and misfits. Her work blends documentary and fiction and she is unafraid to take risks and cross genres, GharaviŌĆÖs work is set apart by its attention to detail and storytelling perspective. Sir Ben Kingsley commenting on her BAFTA-nominated feature, I Am Nasrine, said it was "a life enhancing film... An important and much needed film."
Gharavi resides in the North of England and Los Angeles and recently made her first after-dinner speech. She is currently in development on an Iranian gangster film with BFI/Film 4 and is showrunning an Icelandic Noir TV series.
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So You Want to be a Pirate? Wednesday 15 August, 11am - 3pm Exhibition Hall 3, 1st floor Free, donations welcome. No booking required, drop in. ------------------------------... Ahoy there would-be pirates, weŌĆÖve some swash-buckling fun for you as part of our summer exhibition Which Way North.
Sail round our different piratical activities:
> Meet the Moss Trooper pirate crew > Sing a sea shanty > Discover exotic sea creatures > Make a treasure map > Learn about coastal rescue with the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade > Design your pirate hat > Try out some navigation techniques.
Suitable for pirates and landlubbers of all ages.
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Podfo Ltd are here today until 3pm to demonstrate how their innovative biometric insoles can benefit not only our feet, but others parts of our body too!
TheyŌĆÖre a friendly bunch, so donŌĆÖt hesitate to say hello and find out more about Podfo. https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/ŌĆ”/podfo -bespoke-biometric-iŌĆ”

Feet like stone?
Visit Podfo Ltd here at the start of the Great Exhibition of the North 2018 innovation trail to find out how their Biometric Insoles can support your natural movement and reduce the risk of pain and injury when standing, walking or running https://greatnorthmuseum.org.uk/ŌĆ”/podfo -bespoke-biometric-iŌĆ”
Images: Porphyry foot. Podfo Bespoke Biometric Insole.

First showing of a new digital artwork this Wednesday...

Here and Now: Digital Explorations of a Changing World Wednesday 1 August, Tuesday 21 August and Tuesday 28 August 11am - 4pm, Exhibition Hall 3, 1st floor Free, donations welcome. No booking required, drop in. ------------------------------... Immerse yourself in an audio-visual experience and feel how the world is changing through an exploration of objects and data.
This prototype digital artwork will enable you to listen to stories of the natural and human world shaped by representations of artefacts from the museum and elsewhere, combined with data sets that convey the human impact on our planet.
As this is a pilot work that weŌĆÖre hoping to further develop, we would love to hear your feedback - look out for members of the project team in the gallery, or visit our website after your visit - www.hereandnowchange.net
Recommended for ages 8+
This project is a collaboration between: Dan Hett Open Lab at Newcastle University The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research FutureEverything.
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Looking to avoid the rain today? Why not pop into the museum and take part in our Atomhawk and Grandma Bear competitions? Kathryn from our learning team will be on hand between 11am - 3pm to help you. The museum is open from 10am - 6pm.
P.s. we've also got a spacesuit and a shark to look at #getnorth2018

If you are passing the museum before 3pm today then why not pop in and help us Map the North with staff from Northumbria University. Kathryn from our learning team has added her own landmark to her home town Richmond. You can also make your own treasure map to take home. The activity is open to all and is free to take part!

See over 200 new attractions in our museum takeover for Great Exhibition of the North 2018. Open 10am - 6pm daily until 9 September. Free entry.

Wow!! We had a fantastic day there. The creatures were amazing and my son absolutely loved the t-Rex haha. Thanks for the amazing day there. Love to go back there for another full day and there was a lot of explanation about the animals and sea life creatures you didnŌĆÖt know about.

Wow the Heart of the Matter exhibition is simply beautiful. What a fantastically effective fusion of art and science, romance and anatomy. The young kids in our group were delighted by the digital animation and it was lovely listening to their insightful conversations discussing their interpretations with each other.

What a magical place the Hancock has become! It used to be dark dingy and uninviting but not now.

Modern bright displays showcase our history so well. My 20 month old grandson was squealing with delight at the dinosaur section.

Well done to you

Nb it's the Hancock now and always.

The new name is awful.

Smashing access around the building for pushchairs plus excellent toilets too

We visited yesterday and what an amazing place . Our daughter (aged 6 ) loved every minute of it and both myself and husband commented how well it was looked after. Very user friendly , well thought out and the 'in house' services were excellent . Staff were very helpful & friendly . A credit to the management & excellent teamwork , best of all it's free , relies on total donations , how many museums are 'free' these days . Good quality time spent out as a family in a great museum . Highly recommended ­¤æī.

We had a beautiful afternoon tea here today! The staff were friendly and attentive and the food was lovely. Would highly recommend.

Love it x it is our weekly routine to go their and always is great the lovely staff at the gift shop was so understanding aswell when my little 2 year was running around with a dinosaur clippy thing that I was chancing after him to get it back to return to the gift shop lol.



Also every time he strokes the leg of the elephant and goes I love you so much ( probs not suppose to do that but he talks about him all the time and straight away asks when we can go again).



We have spent 4 hours a day there and is just magical for him. Only little down side is the mouse house is a little dirty and the mats in need of a good wipe down.



Overall just awesome!!!!

It is a fabulous place and kids loved it and it's free, they only ask for a donation, get yaselves down for a trip out its fab ’┐Į

I thought the Great Exhibition of the North materials had been very well integrated into the permanent collection. A very enjoyable couple of hours.

HavenŌĆÖt been for 5 years and still highly rate it. ItŌĆÖs comprehensive, extensive, enthralling interesting and worth a visit.

Great little free museum and lovely, helpful staff. As we were the only people booked into the planetarium, they gave us a choice of shows which super nice of them. Some exhibits are a bit old but I kinda think that adds to the charm? I recommend it if you've got a spare couple of hours ­¤Öé

As a teenager I spent many a happy Saturday at the, then, Hancock Museum. As an adult returning for the first time yesterday, it still holds all the appeal it did back in my youth. My husband had never visited before & was pleasantly surprised. My 22 month old daughter was in awe ! She loves animals & was mesmerized by the vast array of exhibits particularly the life size elephant. She delighted in making all of the relevant animal & bird noises ! As a dinosaur fan the projected image of the dinosaur had her enthralled (we had to return to this many times !) I was pleased that the Egyptian mummy was still a feature. Fab day reliving my youth. Great staff/volunteers doing a great job. Thank you Great North Museum .... to me you'll always be the Hancock Museum !

Amazing museum. Would have loved more time here. Stunning displays and lots of interactive displays. Clean throughout the museum.



The heart of the matter was amazing, really enjoyed the exhibition and the 3d screen display.



2 gents working in gift shop (14/4/18 at 14.35) showed great knowledge and answered all the childrens questions.



Hancock cafe was clean, staff polite and food was quick and tasty.



Being able to put my belongings in locker so i could walk round at ease and hands free.



Overall brilliant visit and will go again when i return to Newcastle.

Always amazing every visit we do, my little boys eyes light up and wants to learn about the history thatŌĆÖs there

3rd visit here yesterday. My 7yr old son loves it. We started in the mouse house...a little grubby but packed with happy kids on their Easter Holidays. We love all the exhibits. Its a shame the live Fish have gone. We enjoyed a good 3hrs here and it's so easy to get to. A great place which is totally free but who rely on donations. We'll definitely be back ’┐Į.

Visited yesterday for The Great Exhibition - Which Way North. All the exhibits are amazing. However lighting is atrocious. I ended up having a migraine attack from it. The worst was Vivinene Westwoods Pirate outfit. I'm only 5ft, so craning neck to see as so high up. And why is Whistlejacket illuminated in pink? Has total ruined affect of paiting by Stubbs.



Not keen on visit to cafe this time. No diet coke, server seemed very disinterested and more in too talking to colleague. Sandwhich was so dry, caked in butter. Disgusting.



I will be back. Just a few observations.

It was a really good free day out. Kids enjoyed it just wish they had an activity for them to do on the way round.

Visited for the first time with my daughter 11 and my two granddaughters 7 and 3. We all enjoyed looking around all the exhibits, my grandughters especially liked the dinosaurs and doing the puzzles that were dotted around the building. We did come especially to make a bug hotel but we're disappointed that we were only could make just the one between us and not one each, as we live in two different households it did cause an argument who was taking it home. The cafe is a bit expensive but the staff were very friendly and helpful . An enjoyable few hours out especially with the museum being free to enter, donations are opitional

My children love to visit the Hancock museum and the exhibits are well presented and interesting with enough going on at small person level to keep them entertained. And all free of charge too. For me, the cafe continues to be a bit expensive and disappointing and I'm quite sad the axolotls are gone. More worrying is the 3 royal pythons living together in a really very small viv. Not sure they should be living together at all and certainly they should be afforded more space and environmental enrichment.

As a once a year visitor I've seen everything quite a few times so was very underwhelmed with the Great Exhibition of the North 2018 exhibits. In the owls/birds case there were computers & where the squirrels were there was a nurses uniform. It was all very random - no theming or order to it - just things "plonked" in the middle of exhibits - maybe that was the idea? I do think if all the new stuff was in one big hall then it would've made more sense to me - I just didn't get it. Also when speaking to a volunteer at the shark she told me it was a child who had told her it was a Tiger Shark as she didn't know - she should know this to give information to customers should they ask.

Wow!! We had a fantastic day there. The creatures were amazing and my son absolutely loved the t-Rex haha. Thanks for the amazing day there. Love to go back there for another full day and there was a lot of explanation about the animals and sea life creatures you didnŌĆÖt know about.

Wow the Heart of the Matter exhibition is simply beautiful. What a fantastically effective fusion of art and science, romance and anatomy. The young kids in our group were delighted by the digital animation and it was lovely listening to their insightful conversations discussing their interpretations with each other.

What a magical place the Hancock has become! It used to be dark dingy and uninviting but not now.

Modern bright displays showcase our history so well. My 20 month old grandson was squealing with delight at the dinosaur section.

Well done to you

Nb it's the Hancock now and always.

The new name is awful.

Smashing access around the building for pushchairs plus excellent toilets too

We visited yesterday and what an amazing place . Our daughter (aged 6 ) loved every minute of it and both myself and husband commented how well it was looked after. Very user friendly , well thought out and the 'in house' services were excellent . Staff were very helpful & friendly . A credit to the management & excellent teamwork , best of all it's free , relies on total donations , how many museums are 'free' these days . Good quality time spent out as a family in a great museum . Highly recommended ­¤æī.

We had a beautiful afternoon tea here today! The staff were friendly and attentive and the food was lovely. Would highly recommend.

Love it x it is our weekly routine to go their and always is great the lovely staff at the gift shop was so understanding aswell when my little 2 year was running around with a dinosaur clippy thing that I was chancing after him to get it back to return to the gift shop lol.



Also every time he strokes the leg of the elephant and goes I love you so much ( probs not suppose to do that but he talks about him all the time and straight away asks when we can go again).



We have spent 4 hours a day there and is just magical for him. Only little down side is the mouse house is a little dirty and the mats in need of a good wipe down.



Overall just awesome!!!!

It is a fabulous place and kids loved it and it's free, they only ask for a donation, get yaselves down for a trip out its fab ’┐Į

I thought the Great Exhibition of the North materials had been very well integrated into the permanent collection. A very enjoyable couple of hours.

HavenŌĆÖt been for 5 years and still highly rate it. ItŌĆÖs comprehensive, extensive, enthralling interesting and worth a visit.

Great little free museum and lovely, helpful staff. As we were the only people booked into the planetarium, they gave us a choice of shows which super nice of them. Some exhibits are a bit old but I kinda think that adds to the charm? I recommend it if you've got a spare couple of hours ­¤Öé

As a teenager I spent many a happy Saturday at the, then, Hancock Museum. As an adult returning for the first time yesterday, it still holds all the appeal it did back in my youth. My husband had never visited before & was pleasantly surprised. My 22 month old daughter was in awe ! She loves animals & was mesmerized by the vast array of exhibits particularly the life size elephant. She delighted in making all of the relevant animal & bird noises ! As a dinosaur fan the projected image of the dinosaur had her enthralled (we had to return to this many times !) I was pleased that the Egyptian mummy was still a feature. Fab day reliving my youth. Great staff/volunteers doing a great job. Thank you Great North Museum .... to me you'll always be the Hancock Museum !

Amazing museum. Would have loved more time here. Stunning displays and lots of interactive displays. Clean throughout the museum.



The heart of the matter was amazing, really enjoyed the exhibition and the 3d screen display.



2 gents working in gift shop (14/4/18 at 14.35) showed great knowledge and answered all the childrens questions.



Hancock cafe was clean, staff polite and food was quick and tasty.



Being able to put my belongings in locker so i could walk round at ease and hands free.



Overall brilliant visit and will go again when i return to Newcastle.

Always amazing every visit we do, my little boys eyes light up and wants to learn about the history thatŌĆÖs there

3rd visit here yesterday. My 7yr old son loves it. We started in the mouse house...a little grubby but packed with happy kids on their Easter Holidays. We love all the exhibits. Its a shame the live Fish have gone. We enjoyed a good 3hrs here and it's so easy to get to. A great place which is totally free but who rely on donations. We'll definitely be back ’┐Į.

Visited yesterday for The Great Exhibition - Which Way North. All the exhibits are amazing. However lighting is atrocious. I ended up having a migraine attack from it. The worst was Vivinene Westwoods Pirate outfit. I'm only 5ft, so craning neck to see as so high up. And why is Whistlejacket illuminated in pink? Has total ruined affect of paiting by Stubbs.



Not keen on visit to cafe this time. No diet coke, server seemed very disinterested and more in too talking to colleague. Sandwhich was so dry, caked in butter. Disgusting.



I will be back. Just a few observations.

It was a really good free day out. Kids enjoyed it just wish they had an activity for them to do on the way round.

Visited for the first time with my daughter 11 and my two granddaughters 7 and 3. We all enjoyed looking around all the exhibits, my grandughters especially liked the dinosaurs and doing the puzzles that were dotted around the building. We did come especially to make a bug hotel but we're disappointed that we were only could make just the one between us and not one each, as we live in two different households it did cause an argument who was taking it home. The cafe is a bit expensive but the staff were very friendly and helpful . An enjoyable few hours out especially with the museum being free to enter, donations are opitional

My children love to visit the Hancock museum and the exhibits are well presented and interesting with enough going on at small person level to keep them entertained. And all free of charge too. For me, the cafe continues to be a bit expensive and disappointing and I'm quite sad the axolotls are gone. More worrying is the 3 royal pythons living together in a really very small viv. Not sure they should be living together at all and certainly they should be afforded more space and environmental enrichment.

As a once a year visitor I've seen everything quite a few times so was very underwhelmed with the Great Exhibition of the North 2018 exhibits. In the owls/birds case there were computers & where the squirrels were there was a nurses uniform. It was all very random - no theming or order to it - just things "plonked" in the middle of exhibits - maybe that was the idea? I do think if all the new stuff was in one big hall then it would've made more sense to me - I just didn't get it. Also when speaking to a volunteer at the shark she told me it was a child who had told her it was a Tiger Shark as she didn't know - she should know this to give information to customers should they ask.