Journey through our villages’ past at new Leamington exhibition

This Green and Pleasant Land, which opens tomorrow (Saturday) and runs until January, examines how life in the villages surrounding Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth has changed over the past 200 years.

As well as agricultural items from the Pump Room’s museum collection and objects from the local community, the display features a series of contemporary images of the villages captured by members of Leamington Photographic Society, who have been taking photographs of rural scenes - inspired by 19th and early-20th century paintings - over the past year. The historic and contemporary images will sit side by side in order to highlight what has changed, and what has stayed the same.

Complementing the Pump Room’s exhibition is a free ‘pop-up’ event in Barford on Sunday October 27 from 11am to 4pm, the birthplace of the agricultural reformer and politician Joseph Arch. This display has been developed and curated by members of Barford Heritage Group.

Next Friday (October 25), the Pump Room gallery’s curator Vicki Slade is conduction a free guided tour of the Leamington exhibition from 1pm.

Then on Saturday October 26, artist Jo Roberts is leading a ‘drawing day for adults’ workshop at the gallery from 11am to 4pm, during which she will guide participants through a day of exploring and experimenting with drawing techniques, working with objects in the exhibition. Places cost £15 per person. To book, call 742700.

Children can also take inspiration from the exhibition to create their own works of art during the free half term art club on Thursday October 31 from 2pm to 4pm.