Museum dancers at work in Olympic ceremonies
Dancers who performed for the Museum of Bath at Work last year are joining the 1000s of other volunteers helping make the Olympic Games ceremonies something to remember. The dance students, who have now completed their second year at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich, London, performed at Bath’s museum of working heritage as part of the national Museums at Night event in May. The performance was inspired by the industrial machinery collection, using a sound recording of it working as background and drew national publicity. Rosa Firbank performed in the opening ceremony on July 27 and Katie Saunders, Lily Turner and Julian Lewis, from Bath who led last year’s performance are appearing in the closing ceremony on August 12. He said: ‘To be a part of the Olympic ceremonies has been a one-off opportunity. As dancers we have found it insightful to be part of such a large scale rehearsal process and understand how the event has been coordinated with so many performers. We have all been involved in different sections so have worked with a variety of people, not all dancers. The opportunity to be in the stadium on that day is something I will always remember.’ Image: Julian Lewis

‘Christmas at War’ Event, 17th December 2011

Organised by Friend at Work Sally Lewis and opened by the Mayor of Bath, Bryan Chalker, the Christmas Fair helped to raise awareness and encourage community involvement in commemorations planned for 2012, which marks the 70th Anniversary of the Bath Blitz.

Museum Friends at Work were supported by 1940s enthusiasts the ‘Blitz Buddies’, who gave dance demonstrations, and local craftspeople also dressed for the occasion! The ‘Christmas at War’ exhibition displayed wartime printed material and artefacts.