The Word, National Centre for the Written Word has four new exhibitions arriving in early 2019 as well exciting events from January – April:-
Exhibitions:
Cracked! Secret Codes and Communication
9 February – 2 June 2019
FREE
Suitable for all ages
Since the dawn of time, people have had secrets they wish to hide…and share.
Delve in to the mysterious world of covert communications in The Word’s latest FREE exhibition.
‘Cracked!’ will take visitors on a journey, starting with the earliest examples of codes and ciphers, going on to look at methods of secret communication used during war times then exploring how modern technology uses code to allow us to communicate safely today.
Try your hand at cracking a secret code using our Caesar Wheel, communicate a message to your friends using Flag Semaphore at our very own Code Station, and discover the ciphers and codes that have remained unsolved for years and are a still a mystery to even the sharpest of cryptologists!
Supported by Arts Council England.
Cracked! also incorporates ‘When the Bugle Calls’ – a Durham Light Infantry Collection touring exhibition.
9 February – 2 June 2019
FREE
A Durham Light Infantry Collection touring exhibition.
Discover the story of the Durham Light Infantry’s soldiers, bands and bugles in this touring exhibition featuring sounds, footage and objects from the DLI Collection.
‘When the Bugle Calls’ tells the story of how both the British Army and individual soldiers used music to rally their regiments, keeping morale alive in dark and dangerous times.
This exhibition is on display in the main exhibition space alongside Cracked! Secret Codes and Communication.
Shirt Tales
24 January – 2 June 2019
FREE
An exhibition at The Word curated by Artist and Tailor Richard Bliss, capturing the feelings and ideas that he experienced when reading the work of five authors from the Dark Ages through to the present day. Works inspired by; The Venerable Bede, Phillis Wheatley, Lewis Carroll, Elinor Brent-Dyer and Julia Darling.
Word Bank of Lost Dialects
1 February – 15 September 2019
FREE
A celebration of the thousands of North East dialect words donated during The Word’s original Lost Dialects exhibition, Word Bank of Lost Dialects is a new exhibition by artists Jane Glennie and Robert Good which invites you to experience the donated words.
The Word Bank contains around 2,400 donations of ‘lost words’ from the North East. You will be able to view the full Word Bank and take a rubbing of some of your most-loved Geordie words. You will be able to find out about the history of some of the most popular words donated, discover some of the more obscure and vote for your favourites.
February half term @ The Word events:
Arts and crafts
Mon 18 and Thurs 21 February, 10 – 11am and 2.30 – 3.30pm
£1 per child. Tickets must be bought in person from Level 2 of The Word
Booking required
Come along to The Word for fun craft sessions where children will enjoy creating a range of spy-themed crafts.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Big Bang Science Party
Tues 19 February, 11am – 12noon and 2 – 3pm
£4 per child, £2 per adult
Suitable for ages 4 years +
Booking required
The hugely popular Big Bang Science Party returns to The Word this February half term. If you have a science-mad child who loves doing experiences then this is the perfect event! Children will create their own invisible ink to take home, use a light to find hidden messages and will be able to join in with a range of other science demonstrations.
For more information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Lego® drop-in
Wed 20 February, between 10am – 12noon
FREE
Suitable for all ages
Come along to The Word’s drop-in session and get creative building with Lego®.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Chess for all
Wed 20 February, 1 – 3pm
FREE
Suitable for all ages
Whether you want to hone your skills, develop your strategy or simply learn a new game, come along to this free chess drop-in session.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Spies, Secrets and Stories
Fri 22 February, 10.30am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm
£3.50 per child, £2.50 per adult, £10.50 family of 4, £1 children in 1. Suitable for under 7’s and their families
Booking required
Join The Word this February half term for a mysterious adventure in their immersive StoryWorld! Children will listen to tales of secrets, spies and mysteries, play games, do crafts and solve puzzles in fun activities.
For more information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Recycle-art
Sat 23 February, 10am – 3.30pm
FREE
Suitable for all ages
House of Objects will be joining The Word for a fun day of craft activities. Drop in to the Atrium and have a go at using recycled materials to create your very own piece of art.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Events for adults:
Gary Jotter and the Magical Murder – A Night of Murder Mystery
Thurs 7 February, 6 – 8pm
£8.50 per adult, £2.50 per child. Suitable for adults and families
Booking required
Murder maestros Highly Suspect are back for a new murder mystery event which places you at the scene of a magical crime at Pigblisters School of Magic and Mystery. Join bespectacled child prodigy, Gary Jotter, and help solve the murder and catch the killer!
Fun, frivolity and fatalities guaranteed!
For more information and to book: www.theworduk.org
South Shields Fiction Writers
Every first and third Sunday of the month, 1 – 3pm
FREE
Come along to a fiction writing group for adults, with crime writer A.M. Peacock. If you’ve written a novel or are just writing for fun, or if you want to receive advice and feedback from other writers, then this group is perfect for you.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Creative writing course with Tracey Iceton
Thurs 7 March – 2 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm
£75 per person for all 5 sessions
Booking required
Join novelist and creative writing tutor, Tracey Iceton, for this creative writing taster course which will help you develop your skills in the five main areas of creative writing – poetry, fiction, script, article and creative non-fiction.
The sessions will take place on 7 March, 21 March, 4 April, 18 April and 2 May.
For more information and how to book: www.theworduk.org
An audience with Tracey Iceton
Sun 28 April, 11am – 12.30pm
£2 per person
Booking required
Join author Tracey Iceton as she reads from and talks about the third part of her Celtic Colours trilogy, a series of novels that chart 100 years of Irish conflict. White Leaves of Peace is the final part of the trilogy and is a stark reminder that ending a war takes more than the signing of a treaty. Peace is hard won. You have to fight for it.
The book will be released in April 2019. Copies will be available to buy during the event.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
An audience with Quentin Bates
Thurs 2 May, 6.30 – 8pm
£2 per person
Booking required
Enjoy an evening with crime author Quentin Bates as he discusses his latest novel ‘Cold Breath’, an Icelandic murder mystery and the sixth novel featuring Quentin’s protagonist, Sergeant Gunnhildur.
For more information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Adult events at FabLab @ The Word
Learn How to Vinyl Cut
Thurs 7 February and Wed 27 February, 1 – 4pm
£12.50 per person
Suitable for 16 years +
Booking required
Put your skills to the test in this challenging workshop that will walk you through the basics on how a vinyl cutter works.
This captivating 3 hour workshop will open your imagination and will give you hands on experience where you’ll get the chance to create your own wall art and/or designs for t-shirts!
Sponsored by BT
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Learn How to 3D Print
Tues 12 February, 9am – 12noon and Wed 13 March, 1 – 4pm
£12.50 per person
Suitable for 16 years +
Booking required
Ever wanted to create a 3D replica of your favourite movie character or football stadium? Now is your chance as this fantastic workshop gives you hands on experience of designing and manufacturing using this incredible kit.
Whether you’ve had design experience before or you would like to settle your curious mind, this workshop will give you incredible skills that you can use again and again.
Sponsored by BT
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Learn How to Laser Cut
Thurs 14 February and Wed 24 March, 1 – 4pm
£12.50 per person
Suitable for 16 years +
Booking required
Step out of your comfort zone at The Word’s fascinating, learn how to laser cut session where we’ll teach you the basic skills you’ll need to make something great.
Want to create a wooden box, a key-ring, a coaster, or do you have an idea you’d like to bring to life?
At this amazing session you’ll learn how, you’ll even be able to take it home with you and be equipped with the skills to come back at your own pace at one of our drop-in sessions!
Sponsored by BT
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Easter @ The Word
Arts and crafts
Mon 8 & 15 and Thurs 11 & 18 April, 10 – 11am & 2.30 – 3.30pm
£1 per child. Tickets must be bought in person from Level 2 of The Word
Booking required
Come along to The Word for fun craft sessions where children can enjoy making a range of jungle and Easter-themed crafts.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Lego® drop-in
Wed 10 & 17 April, between 10am – 12noon
FREE
Suitable for all ages
Come along to a drop-in session at The Word and get creative building with Lego®.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Chess for all
Wed 10 & 17 April, 1 – 3pm
FREE
Suitable for all ages
Whether you want to hone your skills, develop your strategy or simply learn a new game, come along to The Word’s free chess drop in session.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Animal Stories
Wed 10 April, 11am – 12noon and 1 – 2pm
£3.50 per child, £2.50 per adult, £10.50 family of 4, £1 children under 1. Suitable for children up to 14 years
Booking required
Take a trek through the jungle and encounter some amazing and real life Rainforest animal on the journey. From a tortoise and lizards to giant bugs, children can get close to some curious and cute creatures in this hands-on workshop.
For more information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Tales from the Jungle
Fri 12 April, 10.30am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm
£3.50 per child, £2.50 per adult, £10.50 family of 4, £1 children under 1. Suitable for under 7’s and their families
Booking required
Join The Word for an exciting storytelling session as they welcome you to the jungle in the immersive StoryWorld. Children will hear stories about animals from around the world, sing songs, get crafty, play games and learn all about our favourite creatures!
For more information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Bears in the Woods
Wed 17 April, 10.30am – 12noon and 2 – 3.30pm
£4 per child
Suitable for under 7’s and their families
Booking required
Children will be taken on a mysterious adventure this Easter! There will be lots of dancing, singing, puzzles and crafts as they help the rangers find the bears in the woods.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org