STOP PRESS! WINNERS OF CHILDREN’S CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION 2026 BELOW
The Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum, founded in 1992, is a volunteer-led charity dedicated to supporting and enhancing the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock. Our mission is to help preserve the county’s rich heritage, inspire learning, and ensure the museum continues to thrive for future generations.
Through fundraising, events and monthly talks, we provide vital support for exhibitions, conservation work, educational programmes, and improvements to the museum and its grounds.
Whether you’re passionate about history, keen to support local culture, or simply enjoy being part of a friendly community, we welcome you to join us and help make a lasting difference.
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Our financial contributions to the museum provide money to support:
Special events and displays
Acquisitions of significant archaeological treasures
Development of the Museum’s facilities
Free activities for children during term time and school holidays
Many of our members also volunteer:
Supporting the museum staff with visitor assistance, on reception, in the café
Maintaining the beautiful gardens
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An opportunity to make new friends
A programme of monthly evening talks:
An eclectic range of topics
Delivered by distinguished speakers
Delivered simultaneously in-person and by Zoom
Invitation to Museum private previews of new exhibitions
10% discount in the Museum café and shop
Access to special events, in places not normally accessible to the public
A warm glow, knowing that we are helping this special museum to thrive and grow!
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Single Membership is £20 per year
Dual Membership (two adults at the same address) is £30 per year
If joining after 1st October, fees are reduced to £10 and £15 respectively
Junior Membership (under age 18 from a members’ household) is FREE!
How about becoming a Patron?
Children’s Creative Writing Competition
The Winners!
We are delighted to announce that we have three worthy winners, each receiving a prize of £50, in this year’s Friends’ Creative Writing Competition for children. In a change from last year, we divided the competition into two groups: seven to nine year-olds and ten to eleven year-olds. In total we received 14 entries.
The winner of the younger group was:
Oliver Jacob, aged 8
His intriguing story was inspired by the chess set in the Introductory Gallery at the museum, where it will be on display for visitors to read. It will also be published in our next Friends’ Newsletter.
In the older age group, the judges really couldn’t decide between two of the entries, and declared joint winners, both aged 11:
Amelia Nikolovska
and
Hanna Shum
Amelia’s story was inspired by the Didcot Mirror in the Introductory gallery, while Hanna’s related to the Poison Bottle, to be found in the Victorian Gallery. Both were noted for their imaginative content and impressive writing style, and will be displayed in their respective galleries for visitors to read.
The next competition, divided into two age groups, will open in October 2026, to be judged in July 2027. It will be open to seven to eleven year-old children attending schools in Oxfordshire – Head Teachers will be given all the information for those wishing to enter.
