Awesome Inventions inspire a Night At Your Museum

The event celebrates the brains behind pioneering inventions and innovations which have links to Rugby, from Sir Frank Whittle's work on the world's first jet engine to Dennis Gabor's development of holographic theory.

A Night At Your Museum includes a packed programme of creative fun for all the family, with the University of Warwick inviting visitors to the Inventor's Workshop to take a whistle-stop tour of the history of Rugby's bright ideas - from Norman Lockyer's role in the discovery of helium to the Rugby Radio Station, a former Government facility which, at its peak in the 1950s, was the world's largest radio transmitting station.

The Green Futures Lab opens its doors at a Night At Your Museum, with experts from Discover Materials revealing how materials science and engineering can help combat climate change.

Once inside the lab, visitors can discover how the sustainability and performance of everyday objects can be improved by developing new materials and processing methods, while finding out how to play a part in building a greener future.

Other highlights of Awesome Inventions include the Royal Air Force's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) team, who reveal the theory of flight, the chance to make your own handheld hologram, creating electronic circuit boards with Snap Circuits, rugby ball throwing with the council's Play Rangers, and the chance to take on the building bricks challenge.

And for visitors searching for peace and tranquillity amid the hive of activity, a Night At Your Museum also includes a relaxed space complete with a psychedelic sensory spectacle of light and colour, a tribute to Rugby psychedelic rock pioneers, Spacemen 3.

Awesome Inventions at a Night At Your Museum takes place on Friday 25 October at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.

Admission can be booked for 5.30pm, 6.30pm or 7.30pm, with places priced £4 (under two-year-olds free).

You can book online at www.ragm.co.uk/nightatyourmuseum

Face painting can be booked on the night at a cost of £1. The event closes at 9pm.

Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing, said: "A Night At Your Museum offers a range of creative activities inspired by our history of invention, from William Webb Ellis inventing the game of rugby to the discovery of helium and holography on our doorsteps.

"It's one of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's biggest events and always proves popular, so it's best to book early to avoid missing out on a night to remember."

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, added: "History and science never stands still, so it's good to remember our community's role in the development of cutting edge technologies and how this spirit of innovation can help us tackle the impact of climate change moving forward."

For more information about events and exhibitions at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, visit www.ragm.co.uk