The document provides an overview of the exhibitions, events, and activities taking place at the Museum of Croydon from October 2010 to March 2011, including exhibitions on Chinese myths and dragons, tattoos and body art, photography exploring themes in England, and creative workshops and talks for both children and adults. A variety of temporary exhibitions will be featured covering topics like recycling, the Battle of Britain, and youth identity, alongside the museum's permanent collections. Children and families can participate in hands-on activities related to the exhibitions and enjoy storytelling sessions.

1. October 2010 - March 2011
Exhibitions, Events and Activities
at the Museum of Croydon
What’s On
DRAGON TALES
Bringing Chinese myths
to life for children
WE ENGLISH
A photographic
journey
BEYOND SKIN
Tattoos and body art

2. 1
Welcome So what’s going on this season at the
Museum of Croydon? Probably a lot more than you thought!
We’ve lined up an exciting programme of exhibitions, talks
and creative workshops for all ages and interests. We look
forward to seeing you soon.
Exhibition Gallery
Visit this gallery for changing exhibitions
about Croydon and beyond. See pg 4-5
for more on this season’s themes, including
‘Treasures from Trash’ and local-born
photographer Simon Roberts’ ‘We English’.
Riesco Gallery
Be dazzled by the Riesco Collection of
Chinese Ceramics, now displayed alongside
stunning loans from the British Museum.
New hands-on activities for young children
and a programme of events for all ages and
interests help you re-discover this remarkable
collection. See pg 3 for this season’s
highlight ‘Dragon Tales’.
Space C
Check out our programme of exhibitions
from local community groups and artists.
See pg 6 for what’s on this season.
Café Gallery
Relax over a cuppa and a slice of cake, while
enjoying art and photography by local artists
on the walls. See pg 5 for what’s on.
Museum of Croydon
Discover Croydon’s history since 1800 by
visiting our permanent collection. Each object
you see was given to us by a local person
and comes with a story revealed through the
touch-screen computers.
If you want to stay tuned in with what’s
happening in Croydon, check out Croydon
NOW. It features projects we run with local
people and is updated every 3 months.
Croydon Archives
Research the history of your family, house or
local area through our fascinating collections,
research materials and displays. For what’s
on this season, see pg 6 for information
about ‘Over our Skies: Battle of Britain’.
Activities Room
Engage with our events programme which is
linked to our collections and exhibitions.
From creative workshops for children (pg 6)
and young people (pg 7), to specialist talks
for adults (pg 8), there’s something for all
ages and interests.
Join our mailing list
To be the first to hear about new exhibitions
and events email: museum@croydon.gov.uk
to get our e-newsletter.

3. 32
Treasures from Trash
26 June - 30 October 2010
Exhibition Gallery
Free family - friendly exhibition
‘Treasures from Trash’ is an interactive family-friendly
exhibition that explores creative recycling from
around the globe. Every object on display used to
be something else. From a stove to a handbag,
tyre buckets to toys, this exhibition shows how
communities around the world make inventive,
creative use of what we throw away. It also looks
at how we can recycle more on our own doorstep
in Croydon.
Throughout the exhibition families can play games,
test their memory skills, explore the book corner and
have a go at making their own cup to take away!
‘Lady carrying firewood’ © Eifion Sven-Myer, Platform2.
Platform2 is funded by UKAid from the Department of
International Development, and run by Christian Aid
and BUNAC.
Change your World
Viviane Williams
6 September - 1 November 2010
Café Gallery
Photographs from the developing world
The photographs in this exhibition were all taken
by amateur photographers, during their time on
the government funded volunteering programme,
Platform2, in countries including Ghana, Peru,
South Africa, India and Nepal.
The exhibition, which has been touring the country,
aims to highlight issues such as climate change,
aid and sustainability, faced by millions of people
in the developing world. It features the best
images taken by volunteers since Platform2
launched in May 2008.
Over Our Skies
18 September 2010 - 6 January 2011
Museum of Croydon and Croydon Archives
Remembering Croydon’s role in World War II
‘Croydon’s Battle of Britain’
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of
Britain, visitors can discover the history of Croydon’s
vital role. The exhibition uses archive material and
people’s memories to explore the importance of
Croydon and Kenley airports, as well as the effect
the battle had on local people.
‘Croydon’s Blitz’
This exhibition explores experiences of childhood for
Croydon residents during the Blitz. It also showcases
work done by the Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation,
who, in collaboration with the Museum of Croydon,
produced short plays inspired by these memories.
Dragon Tales
9 October - 31 December 2010
Riesco Gallery
Hands-on fun for children and their grown-ups
Combining hands-on activities with stunning
depictions of dragons in Chinese and world
mythology, this exhibition explores the stories told
about these fantastic beasts. With stunning loans
from the British Museum, alongside the Museum
of Croydon’s own exceptional collection of Chinese
ceramics, ‘Dragon Tales’ will bring young children
face to face with centuries-old objects and paintings
of dragons, and encourage them to discover more
through dragon-themed play.
Last chance to see
Supported by the London Museums Hub and the
British Museum Partnership UK
Exhibitions Programme

4. 54
‘We English’
18 November 2010 - 26 February 2011
Exhibition Gallery
A powerful reflection of England
This exhibition showcases work by Croydon born
award-winning photographer Simon Roberts. ‘We
English’ is the result of Simon’s journey around the
country documenting the landscape.
Informed by the photography of his predecessors,
including Martin Parr, and by the romantic tradition
of English landscape painting, Roberts depicts
ordinary people at leisure, congregating for a
common purpose and shared experience.
Here Be Dragons
9 October 2010 - 6 January 2011
Space C
Dragons made by the local community
To compliment the exciting new display in the Riesco
Gallery, come and see some Chinese sculptures, as
made by the people of Croydon in collaboration with
SameSky Community Arts Group.
Croydon at Leisure
1 November 2010 - 3 January 2011
Café Gallery
Photographs from the archives
To accompany his ‘We English’ exhibition,
renowned photographer Simon Roberts has
chosen images from Croydon’s Archives,
exploring themes around Croydon at leisure.
‘I Am Here’
13 January - 9 April 2011
Museum of Croydon
Exploring youth identity in Croydon
See how young people from across Croydon have
come together to explore the theme of youth
identity. ‘I Am Here’ is part of Stories of the World
one of the major projects at the heart of the
London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Beyond Skin
13 January - 9 April 2011
Space C
An exhibition created by young Croydonians
This exhibition looks at how youth cultures in
Croydon express themselves through body art.
‘Beyond Skin’ is part of Stories of the World one
of the major projects at the heart of the London
2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Croydon on Film
26 March 2011
Exhibition Gallery
A two-part exhibition exploring the history of
film in Croydon, covering both film makers and
films shot on location.
Revisit the exhibition in June when you can watch
films by contemporary Croydon film makers.
Coming soon
Blackpool tram © Simon Roberts
Rex studios
Photograph © Emma Wood
Croydon Summer Festival, © Simon Roberts
Purley recreation grounds

5. 76
The tale of Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain
Wednesday 27 October 2010
10.30am, 11.45am and lasts 45 minutes
Clocktower Court
Enjoy this enthralling story as told by professional
author and storyteller Margaret Bateson-Hill. Do
stay on afterwards for a fun paper-cutting activity.
Animals of the zodiac
Saturday 5 February 2011
10.30am - 11.45am
Clocktower Court
If your child loves animal stories they will enjoy
these tales in honour of the Chinese New Year.
2011 is Year of the Rabbit so you’ll hear some
traditional stories about bunnies and other
animals of the zodiac.
Sewlutions Level 3 - advanced
Thursday 14 October 2010
6.30pm - 8.30pm
£5 or £3 concessions
Learn advanced sewing techniques, such as
turning a dress into a top or adding length to
clothes. Please bring an item to work on.
Photography
Two parts: Thursday 11 November 2010 and
Thursday 25 November 2010
6.30pm - 8.30pm
£10 for two sessions or £6 concessions
You’ll be exploring photographic techniques and
special effects with professional photographer
David Wood. He’s back by popular demand.
Please bring your own camera with you (even if
it’s a camera phone) plus any cables you need to
connect it to a laptop. You must book and come
to both sessions.
Chinese calligraphy
Wednesday 3 November 2010
6.30pm - 8.30pm
£5 or £3 concessions
Join Wendy Lau for an introduction to calligraphy
with a special late opening of the Riesco Gallery.
All materials provided.
Creative writing
Monday 7 February 2011
11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
£5 or £3 concessions
Discover ways to start or develop your own
writing by taking inspiration from the ‘We English’
photography exhibition (see pg 4 for more on this
exhibition). The workshop will be led by an Open
University lecturer.
Songs, games and stories: 4 sessions
3 November 2010, 1 December 2010, 2 February
2011, 2 March 2011
10.30am, 11.15am and 12pm
Riesco Gallery
Join Iggy the Iguana
and Loong the
Chinese dragon for
songs, games and
activities. This event
is held on the first
Wednesday of every
month except October
and January.
Bring your pre-schooler to one of these free storytelling sessions. They last from
30- 45 minutes and are free so there is no need to book.
Arts workshops
Why not come along to an arts and crafts workshop? They will all be held in the Activities
Room. Tickets bookable in advance from the box office.
Storytelling for under 5s
Talks and workshops for adults and young people
Dragon Tales Launch
Saturday 9 Oct 2010
Our series of dragon-themed craft workshops
and displays will keep you and your children
amused for the day. Make sure you get to look
round the Dragon Tales exhibition in the Riesco
Gallery.
Arts & crafts
11am -1pm and 2pm - 4pm
Age range: 5-11
Activities Room
Make a dragon toy, a
dragon bag, or decorate
a ribbon to dance with.
Ribbons in the air - a Chinese dance display
11.15am - 11.45am and 1.15pm - 1.45pm
Clocktower Court
Ribbon dancing-using
swirling multicoloured
silk ribbons-has been
practiced for thousands of
years in China. Professional
Chinese dancer Sin-Man
Yue will give you a display
and then teach you a few simple moves.
Conversations with a dragon
10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm (lasts 15 mins)
Riesco Gallery / Activities Room
Meet Rodney a 5ft tall walking, talking dragon
who loves meeting children and is very friendly.
Workshops for children
Drop in to one of our free craft workshops.
Choose from a morning or an afternoon session.
All workshops run from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm
in the Activities Room. Booking is not required.
Dragons alive!
Wednesday 27 October 2010
Make a toy inspired by dragons in the Riesco
Collection.
Framing experiences
Thursday 28 October 2010
Make a beautiful recycled material picture frame.
Rabbit days!
Saturday 5 February 2011
Make yourself a rabbit hat-in honour of Chinese
New Year on 3 February.
Dragon modelling
Wednesday 23 February 2011
Make a dragon out of an egg box to bring your
home good luck.
Make a beautiful box
Thursday 24 February 2011
Create a box inspired by the beautiful ceramics in
the Riesco Gallery.
Family-friendly events and workshops
We run storytelling sessions and craft workshops for children. This season takes its
inspiration from the Chinese artworks in the Riesco Gallery. All these family - friendly
events are free of charge.
Events
Other events
1940s Clocktower tour
Saturday 16 October 2010
10.30am, 11.30am 2pm, 3pm - Free but book
in advance at the box office
Museum of Croydon
The tour highlights the Clocktower’s role in World
War II and is led by an actor playing Chief Librarian
Berwick Sayers, who worked here at the time.
Dragon Tales storytelling
Tuesday 26 October 2010
10.30am, 11.20am and 12pm (lasts 30 mins)
Clocktower Court
Enjoy these engaging stories about dragons
from around the world.

6. October 2010
Sat 9 ‘Dragon Tales’ exhibition opens 11am families free pg 3
Sat 9 Various dragon-related craft workshops from 11am families free pg 6
Sat 9 Chinese ribbon dance display 11.15am & 1.15pm families free pg 6
Sat 9 ‘Here Be Dragons’ exhibition opens 10.30am everyone free pg 4
Sat 9 Conversations with a dragon 10.30am, 11.30am & 1pm children free pg 4
Thu 14 Sewlutions advanced sewing workshop 6.30pm adults/young people £5-£3 pg 7
Sat 16 1940s Clocktower tour 10.30am,11.30am, 2pm & 3pm families free pg 6
Tue 26 Dragon storytelling 10.30am, 11.20am & 12pm families free pg 6
Wed 27 Storytelling: Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain 10.30am & 11.45am under 5s free pg 7
Wed 27 Dragon toy-making workshop 11am & 2pm families free pg 6
Thu 28 Photo frame-making workshop 11am & 2pm families free pg 6
November 2010
Mon 1 ‘Croydon at Leisure’ exhibition opens 9.30am adults/young people free pg 4
Wed 3 Songs, games and stories 10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm under 5s free pg 7
Wed 3 Chinese calligraphy workshop 6.30pm adults/young people £5/£3 pg 7
Tue 9 Talk: Croydon’s greatest collector 2.30pm adults/young people free pg 8
Thu 11 Photography workshop: part 1 6.30pm adults/young people £10/£6 pg 7
for 2 sessions
Thu 18 ‘We English’ photography exhibition opens 11.00am adults/young people free pg 4
Mon 22 Talk: A dragon from Helmand 6.30pm adults/young people free pg 8
Thu 25 Photography workshop: part 2 6.30pm adults/young people £10/£6 pg 7
for 2 sessions
December 2010
Wed 1 Songs, games and stories 10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm under 5s free pg 7
Tue 7 Talk: Ancient China 2.30pm adults/young people free pg 8
Thu 9 Talk: Imperial dragons 6.30pm adults/young people free pg 8
January 2011
Thu 13 ‘I am Here’ exhibition opens 10.30am adults/young people free pg 5
Thu 13 ‘Beyond Skin’ exhibition opens 10.30am adults/young people free pg 5
February 2011
Tue 1 Talk: Simon Roberts on his photography 2.30pm adults/young people free pg 7
Wed 2 Songs, games and stories 10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm under 5s free pg 7
Sat 5 Chinese storytelling: Zodiac animals 10.30am, 11.20am & 12.10pm under 5s free pg 7
Sat 5 Rabbit hat-making workshop 11am & 2pm families free pg 6
Mon 7 Creative writing workshop 11am & 2pm adults/young people £5/ £3 pg 7
Wed 23 Dragon modelling 11am & 2pm families free pg 6
Thu 24 Beautiful box making workshop 11am & 2pm families free pg 6
March 2011
Wed 2 Songs, games and stories 10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm under 5s free pg 7
Sat 26 ‘Croydon on film’ exhibition opens 11am adults/young people free pg 58
What’s on: at a glanceFree expert talks
Join us at one of our series of free talks giving you deeper insights into the themes
covered by our exhibitions. All events are free and you can book your ticket in advance
from the box office.
Croydon’s greatest collector
Tuesday 9 November 2010
2.30pm - 4pm
Activities Room
Learn about Raymond
Riesco, the Chinese
ceramics enthusiast
who donated his
impressive collection to
us. Our Collections and
Learning Manager
Georgina Young will lead
this illustrated talk.
Ancient China: recent archaeological
discoveries
Tuesday 7 December 2010
2.30pm - 4pm
Activities Room
A British Museum expert shares this update
on the recent archaeological finds in China.
Curator of the Chinese Collections Sascha
Priewe will be your guide.
Imperial dragons
Thursday 9 December
6.30pm - 8pm
Activities Room
For an inside take on how dragons were
depicted in the Chinese Imperial Court, join us
for this talk. Your guide will be Angela Mcateer,
Chinese art specialist from fine art auctioneers
Bonhams. The Riesco Gallery will be open late
so you can see the Dragon Tales exhibition.
See pg 7 for more on that.
A Dragon from Helmand
Monday 22 December 2010
6.30pm - 8pm
Activities Room
Join the British Museum’s Middle East curator
for insights into the ancient culture of
Afghanistan. St John Simpson has excavated
extensively in the Middle East and Central Asia,
including sites from prehistoric to recent times.
The talk includes a special late night opening
of the Riesco Gallery until 7.30pm.
A photographer’s life
Tuesday 1 February 2010
2.30pm - 4pm
Activities Room
Croydon-born photographer Simon Roberts
talks about his career, influences and working
style. The talk ends with an optional guided tour
of his exhibition, ‘We English’. See pg 4 for more
on this exhibition.
Booking advice
Many of our events are drop-in and places are allocated on a first come basis. For events that
ask you to pay or book in advance, you can book through the box office:
By phone: 020 8253 1030 (Monday - Saturday 10am - 7pm, Tuesday 10am - 5.30pm)
In person: The ticket office is situated in the Arts Bar on the first floor (Monday - Saturday
10am - 8.30pm, Tuesday 10am - 5.30pm).
Countryside © Simon Roberts

7. Café Gallery (Ground Floor)
Open Monday-Saturday, 9.30am - 5.30pm.
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Riesco Gallery (Ground Floor)
Open Monday-Saturday, 11am - 5pm.
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Croydon Archives and Local
Studies Library (Third Floor)
Open Monday 9am - 7pm, Wednesday
9am - 6pm, Saturdays 9am - 5pm
(1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month only).
There’s lots happening at the Museum of Croydon. You can
take in some art, learn about your roots, listen to a story, join a
workshop or see work by local, national and international artists.
Museum of Croydon
Croydon Clocktower,
Katharine Street,
Croydon, CR9 1ET
Tel: 020 82531025
Email: museum@croydon.gov.uk
Access
Cafe facilities are available on the ground floor
There is ramped access through the library
entrance and lifts to the first floor. There are
accessible toilets on the ground and first floors.
Baby changing facilities are available.
Where are we?
We’re 10 minutes from East and West Croydon
rail and bus stations and just 3 minutes from
George Street Tramlink stop. The nearest car
parks are Surrey Street (off Charles Street),
Fairfield (off Barclay Road) and St Georges Walk
(off Katharine Street).Visit www.tfl.gov.uk and
discover how easy it is by public transport.
Museum of Croydon (First Floor)
Open Monday-Saturday, 10.30am - 5pm.
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Exhibition Gallery (Ground Floor)
Open Monday-Saturday, 11am - 5pm.
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Activities Room (Ground Floor)
Open Monday-Saturday, 11am - 5pm.
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Space C (Ground Floor)
Open Monday-Saturday, 10.30am - 5pm.
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.
www.museumofcroydon.com