A Neat and Beautiful Theatre - the story of Bury St Edmund Market Cross
Bury’s Market Cross is probably the town’s finest post-medieval building, but its story is longer and more surprising
- Next Event
- 6th June 6:30pm
- Event Finishes
- 6th June 8:30pm
About this event
Bury’s Market Cross is probably the town’s finest post-medieval building, but its story is longer and more surprising. In the middle ages it was a cross for preaching and trading, it then became Bury’s first corn exchange and playhouse, and was later remodelled as an elegant Georgian theatre by Robert Adam. Later still it became a Victorian concert room, graced by many celebrities, a town hall, art gallery and much more. This illustrated talk, on the 250th anniversary of Adam’s commission, will tell the story of the market cross, and of the personalities and events that made it a centre of social and municipal life in Bury.
Adrian Tindall is a Green Badge Tour Guide and Chair of the Bury St Edmunds Association of Registered Tour Guides. He was a professional archaeologist for over forty years, and county archaeologist for Hereford and Worcester, Cheshire and Cambridgeshire. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and a Trustee of West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village.
Times: Doors 6:30pm -Talk and Q&A: 7pm – 8:30pm
Tickets: £8
Booking:Advance booking only - use the ‘Book Tickets’ button or call The Apex Box Office on 01284 758000
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About the Venue
This beautiful medieval museum in the heart of Bury St Edmunds houses rich and eclectic collections and changing exhibitions, and hosts events ranging from themed craft workshops for all the family to historical talks and lectures.
Steeped in history, Moyse's Hall has looked out over Bury St Edmunds market place for almost 900 years.
The landmark 12th century building rich and varied past has included serving as the town Bridewell, workhouse and police station, first opening as a museum in 1899.
Today the museum offers a fascinating view into the past with collections that document the foundation of the early town - from the creation and dissolution of the Abbey of St Edmund to prison paraphernalia, plus remarkable collections relating to the notorious Red Barn Murder and fascinating insights into local superstitions and witchcraft.
Winner of Suffolk's Family-Friendly Museum of the Year 2017, Horrible Histories creator Terry Deary has helped Moyse’s Hall Museum bring Bury St Edmunds’ gruesome history to life for children.
The Museum's ground floor not only features six Terrible Tales by Terry Deary, best-selling author and creator of the hugely popular Horrible Histories books, but also some grisly and gruesome interactive displays for children and adults. Step inside a gibbet cage (made for the museum by blacksmiths Kingdom Forge), try on a ball and chain for size, experience the smells of history including the wretched tanner’s pits, handle thumbscrews and try on manacles, and pick up a Norman sword. You can even trace the artefacts in The Red Barn Murder including the murder weapon and the disease box where visitors can smell a pus ridden hand is a museum favourite! The Battle of Fornham is told through the eyes of a blacksmith, a nun tending to the body of St Edmund tells of his grisly end. The stories of Mary Tudor, Queen of France (who is buried in St Mary’s Church, Bury St Edmunds), the Red Barn Murder, the Nichols Murder, witchcraft and Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins, all feature. Every story links back to an artefact, bringing the museum’s stories to life.
Moyse's Hall Museum is also known as home to a world class collection of exquisite collections of clocks and timepieces including rare items bequeathed by musician and clock collector Frederic Greshom-Parkington and fine art by Sir Peter Lely, Angelica Kauffman, James Tissot, and England's first professional female painter Mary Beale.
