HERIAN News

Welsh rugby star, Ryan Jones, kicked off Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) in style on May 1 with a personal appearance at Newport Museum and Art Gallery.

The Grand Slam star was in the city to help celebrate the special exhibitions on display at museums and art galleries across Wales throughout May as part of MGM 2008, including 'behind the scenes' tours at Newport Museum and Art Gallery.

MGM is a UK-wide campaign which is supported in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government. It will take place between 1- 31 May and this year's theme, ideas and innovation, allows museums and galleries to explore Wales' home-grown inventive talent. Special exhibitions during the month will range from an exhibition dedicated to one of Wales' top innovators and pioneer of the Welsh Co-operative movement, Robert Owen, to the Gilbern Car, the only car to be produced completely in Wales.

Ryan Jones said: “I remember coming to Newport Museum as a child on a school trip and being fascinated by the history of my home town. It's great to see the hidden treasures on offer like SuperTed, who happens to be a childhood hero of mine!

“Museums and Galleries Month is a really great opportunity for people to take advantage of the local culture on their doorstep as there are loads of special activities going on throughout the month.”

Latest figures show that more than three million visits are made to Welsh museums each year. MGM aims to increase the number of visitors to museums and galleries across the country, not only during May but throughout 2008.

Emma Lewis, community memories project officer, at Newport Museum and Art Gallery, said: “We're delighted to be involved in MGM again this year. We had great success with the events we held last year and are hoping to build on that this time.

“The behind the scenes tours provide an opportunity for the public to see the huge number of artefacts held in museum stores that are not usually on display. SuperTed is a classic example of Welsh innovation as the programme was written, filmed and produced in Wales and yet the exhibition has been hidden in our stores for years now. We're hoping the tours will unlock memories for adults and provide them with the opportunity to teach the younger generation about the things that shaped their childhood.”

Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas is also supporting Museums and Galleries Month. He said: “Wales has a fantastically rich history and culture. This is reflected in the diverse collections held in more than 140 museums across the country. This year's theme - ideas and innovation - is particularly apt. Wales was home to the first steam railway locomotive, the first radio broadcast over water and equals sign!”

For more information on events happening across Wales during Museums and Galleries Month 2008 visit www.mgm.org.uk.