Your chance to see North East history as iconic Vera memorabilia on show at Newcastle's Discovery Museum
TV’s Vera costume and creator Ann Cleeves is heading to Newcastle’s Discovery Museum for an International Women’s Day event.
The outfit worn by television’s Geordie detective Vera, portrayed by Brenda Blethyn, will be showcased at the next after-hours event at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, alongside the character’s creator, author Ann Cleeves.
Discovery Nights: Wonder Women, taking place on Friday 6 March from 6–9pm, is inspired by International Women’s Day. The event will celebrate women connected to the North East, both past and present, through a variety of drop-in activities throughout the evening.
Tickets are priced at £10 and must be booked in advance. Visitors will have the opportunity to sketch costumes, including Vera’s attire, garments worn by South Tyneside author Catherine Cookson, and an early design by Sunderland-born global fashion icon Louise Trotter.
Kylea Little, Keeper of History at Discovery Museum said: “Vera’s costume has never been seen by the public before. To have it out on display for the first time alongside Ann Cleeves who created the character is particularly special to us, and, we hope, the people who come to the event. We’re very grateful to Ann for joining us.
“The Discovery Nights events have been running for over a year now and have created a warm, thoughtful community, with people taking things at their own pace. Whether it’s to explore the galleries or mingle and meet friends with a drink, chill on a solo trip, or stroll about dipping in and out of activities we want people to relax and have fun.”
Ann Cleeves will open the evening with a short reading followed by a Q&A session. She is the author of 39 critically acclaimed novels and an international bestselling writer whose books have been translated into more than 20 languages, captivating millions of readers around the world.
The event will also feature live music tasters from Kirsty Hall, an opportunity to try proggy mat making with guidance from a Woodhorn Museum expert, and a performance by the all-female drumming group Bangshees.
Additional drop-in activities throughout the evening will include expert “lightning talks” focusing on women such as pioneering engineer Rachel Parsons and wartime figure Dr Irene Ighodaro.
Tyne & Wear Archives will display materials illustrating the diverse experiences of women in the region across the centuries, and visitors will also be able to explore historical objects on display. People are invited to bring books for a book swap. There will be a bar in the museum café, with pizzas and nachos available to purchase too.