The John Moore Museum

01/06/2026

TEWKESBURY 1471 – A VINDICATION OF EDMUND BEAUFORT, DUKE OF SOMERSET

The battle of Tewkesbury in 1471 was a decisive Yorkist victory for Edward IV, devastating Queen Margaret’s Lancastrian cause – colourfully portrayed in the town’s annual medieval festival. Edward was a PR genius, and unsurprisingly, the victors carefully crafted their own version of events, giving the outcome an air of inevitability when glanced at on a surface level. Edward IV painted as the hero. The Lancastrian commander, Edmund Beaufort of Somerset, scapegoated as the convenient villain. Alternative voices hunted down and silenced violently. A narrative compounded by the heavily biased and highly fictionalised writings of Edward Hall, who was not yet born at the time of the battle.

Contemporary evidence reveals a far different story – not only that responsibility for failings of the Lancastrian army points to individuals other than Edmund, but that his life and character were worlds away from the caricature he has been reduced to. Somerset is so often spoken about in the context of the one hurdle he fell at, but contemporary documents on his life reveal a charismatic, kind man with a brilliant military career, earning him the top position at the court of Charles the Bold.

This talk explores the close personal friendship Edmund struck up with Charles – based on shared values championing chivalry, loyalty and honour – a friendship so strong that it defied the political alliances of the time, much to Edward IV’s shock and fury. With a friend in Charles of Burgundy, and an equally close friend in Queen Margaret (and thus France) – was Edmund of Somerset even closer than initially thought in uniting to warring continental superpowers? Edward IV, who benefited from them both competing for a Yorkist alliance, considered Somerset – skilled in politics and brave and disciplined on the battlefield – a highly competent threat.

Speaker: Michael Jones

Saturday 11th July, 7.30pm in the Old Baptist Chapel

Tickets: £5 each

To book go to johnmooremuseum.org and use the booking link on the events page or call into the museum.

For more information call 01684 297174

01/06/2026

Museum Monday

Did you know that your school can take away one of our loans boxes?

These fantastic boxes are packed with all kinds of fascinating objects, games and information which can be used to bring subjects to life in the classroom, as well used as in displays, assemblies and after school clubs.

• All items can be handled
• The boxes are pick up and return only from the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury
• You can borrow either / both of the loans boxes for up to two weeks
• You can borrow the collections all year round

We have:

1. Travellers Loan
In partnership with Gloucestershire County Council’s Traveller Education Service, we have developed a range of resources for schools to borrow and which help you to teach Citizenship & Diversity.

2. Tudor Loans
This box contains a range of reproduction Tudor objects for use in the classroom. Objects are accompanied by comprehensive teacher notes and suggested cross curricular activities to support their use.

3. Tudor Toys and Games
This box contains a range of reproduction Tudor games and toys for use in the classroom. Objects are accompanied with a Teachers’ Pack which includes notes and suggested activities to support their use.

Cost: £15 for 3 weeks

To arrange to borrow a box, all you need to do is call us on 01684 297174 or email [email protected] with the dates you would like to borrow them.

You can collect the box during museum opening hours, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.

31/05/2026

Old Medicines and Cures of Gloucestershire

If you think Shakespeare’s “Eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog” sounds like a strange potion, then prepare yourself for a shock!

Gloucestershire Archives holds over 4,000 items relating to medical and medicinal treatments. These utilise all sorts of strange ingredients, and arguably many are even weirder than those used by Macbeth’s witches! This presentation will look at just a few of the fascinating cures and treatments, and what they were used for.

Speaker: John Putley

Saturday 27th June at 11am in the Old Baptist Chapel

Adults £7.00
Concessions £5.50
Children: £3.00

To book call 01684 297174
email: [email protected]
or go to johnmooremuseum.org and use the booking link on the events page

30/05/2026

Museum Walk – Dirty Business Past & Present

Join Steve & Geoff as they take you on a tour of Tewkesbury and regale you with tales of the ups and downs associated with Tewkesbury’s waterways, such as the Cholera outbreaks in the 19th century to the river quality itself.

Both Steve & Geoff volunteer for SafeAvon and help monitor the water quality of the River Avon. They will then lead you onto the Abbey Mill, where you will get the chance to participate in water testing, which might highlight the current poor state of the river’s water quality.

You may be in for a nasty surprise!

Saturday 1st August at 11am, starting at the John Moore Museum.

This is a free event – donations appreciated

To book, call 01684 297174 or email: [email protected]

Alternatively, go to johnmooremuseum.org and use the booking link on the events page.

29/05/2026

Stitching Stories

Saturday 25th July at 11am in the Old Baptist Chapel

The starting points for Liz’s imagery are natural motifs, poetry and the written word, the traditions of her craft or the unexpected that inspires the creative process. Her portfolios show the range and style of her work, as well as the variety of techniques she employs.

Fabric is dyed, printed, cut and pieced or appliquéd and then stitched by hand or machine to produce a unique picture or wall hanging. She will reveal how she creates her story pieces and the inspiration behind her work.

Adults £7.00
Concessions: £5.50
Children: £3.00

Call 01684 297174 or go to johnmooremuseum.org and use the link on the events page

29/05/2026

28/05/2026

Shepherd’s Crook Folk Choir – Life in the Countryside

Shepherd’s Crook Folk Choir will be bringing the countryside to life for you with a variety of readings and songs.

Shepherd’s Crook Folk Choir is based in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. They specialise in traditional songs, with a particular interest in our local songs from Gloucestershire, sung in unique unaccompanied four-part harmony. Shepherd’s Crook has recently performed at successful events, including festivals. fairs, historical societies, churches, and other organisations.

Saturday 13th June, 2.30pm in the Old Baptist Chapel

£10 per person

To book tickets, call 01684 297174 or use the link on the events page at johnmooremuseum.org

28/05/2026

Garden Thursday

The olive tree is a symbol of peace, and is seen as a token of safe travel because Noah's dove brought back an olive branch from the Ararat Mountain.

Victors in the Olympic Games were crowned with an olive wreath, and it is now seen as a symbol of achievement.

The olive tree is beautiful and ancient, and has been used as part of the human diet for over 35,000 years. Do you like olives?

27/05/2026

Museum Walk & Making Tussy Mussies

Tuesday 9th June, at 11am in the John Moore Museum

We will be exploring the Museum gardens to gather some flowers and herbs to make a traditional nosegay or tussie mussie, which would have been made during the Tudor period as protection against poisonous air.

To book a place call 01684 297174 or email: [email protected]

Alternatively, use the link on the events page at johnmooremuseum.org

27/05/2026

Wildlife Wednesday

This month, male woodcocks take to the sky on their bizarre 'roding' courtship flights.
Purposefully patrolling their territory at dusk, a combination of squeaks and grunts adds to their mating display.