Bassetlaw Museum

18/06/2026

We are honoured to have copies of Gill's wonderful book for sale in the museum. Take your own copy home and read this incredible story of survival for just £5.

Wartime story preserved through council funding

A mother’s wartime story has been preserved for future generations after securing funding from Bassetlaw District Council.

A book called ‘Little Me and the Untold Story’, a wartime story of resilience has been published and delves into the life of Květa, a 16-year-old girl who escaped from Prague a few months after the start of World War Two.

15/06/2026

Did you work at Harworth Colliery or any of the local pits?
Do you have family members who did?
We’re inviting you to take part in an exciting project to preserve and celebrate the stories of the people who worked in our local mining communities.
We’re looking for:

Personal stories
Photographs
Memorabilia

These contributions will help shape an exhibition, a book, and a wider arts project.
Bassetlaw Museum is working in partnership with The Oasis Centre, Kilton (Worksop) to bring this project to life.
📍 Find out more in person:
Drop in anytime between 3:00pm and 5:00pm to find out more at Harworth & Bircotes Library
🗓 Thursday 18th June
🕒 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Come along to learn more, share your memories, and make sure these important stories are heard.
Can’t make it?
📧 Send your story to: [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.
Let’s work together to preserve this important part of our community’s history.

Harworth Colliery, 1914. Showing The German engineers who invested in the pit and started the first shafts. They were interned for the duration of the war.

11/06/2026

*Update: Many thanks for your comments, everyone. We are following your leads and will post an update as soon as we confirm her identity.*

Can you help us identify this mystery visitor?

These photographs were taken in Retford around 1947. We think the young woman wearing a light-coloured dress may have been an actress.

Do you recognise her, or have any information that might help? Any clues or memories would be appreciated.

The photographs came with a scrapbook compiled by Mr M. Casteldine, who worked at the Majestic. The scrapbook is on display as part of the Age of Cine exhibition.

11/06/2026

Join Georgina and Alan for a fun, creative workshop!
Learn how to make whimsical prints using light — a simple and fascinating process suitable for beginners.
✨ All materials are provided
✨ No experience needed
To book your place, please email:
📧 [email protected]

09/06/2026

Pioneer Benjamin Williams of Worksop

Recently, we were delighted to welcome the great-granddaughter of Pioneer Williams and her family to the museum. Pioneer Williams, of Worksop, was killed in action on 22 March 1918.

Among the items held by the museum are his medals, photographs, postcards, and a personal letter, written three weeks before his death, that provides a glimpse into his thoughts and feelings.
It was a pleasure to share these items with his family and to see the collections create such a meaningful connection between the past and the present.

08/06/2026

We have some brand new beautiful blooms for the museum garden! 🌷

We would like to say a huge thank you to Lauren at Hollybeck Garden Centre for her continued help with choosing from the fantastic variety of plants available! Our lovely colleagues have been busy planting and tending to the garden to keep it looking as beautiful as ever.

The museum garden will soon be at its best next month, so be sure to visit and see it in all its glory! 🌷

08/06/2026

A quick reminder of our Makers Market Saturday 15th August. If you would like to join us to sell your wonderful crafty creations, please get in touch. Spaces filling fast, so don't miss out on this opportunity to have a stall in the grounds of our beautiful gardens!

Are you a crafter or maker? Would you like the chance to be part of a makers market in the stunning grounds of Bassetlaw Museum? Email for more information, stalls are limited so please get in touch!

07/06/2026

Our new exhibition by Frank Tomlinson reimagines litter as art.

Frank said: “I came up with the concept of an exhibition after seeing the sheer volume of litter being strewn along the side the road. Out walking one day I spotted a can that had been run over so many time it was almost embedded in the tarmac. Taking it home and photographing it I became fascinated by the form it had taken.

“The exhibition is an attempt to raise awareness of the amount of rubbish being deposited in the lay-bys and adjacent woods, and highlight the damage being caused to the environment.”