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Barnsley Museums at Christmas

Pour a hot chocolate, open a box of mince pies and celebrate Christmas virtually with Barnsley Museums. Watch films from the archives, singalong with the Barnsley Museums Christmas concert and get that fuzzy nostalgic feeling with photos of #BarnsleyChristmas from days gone by.

A Barnsley Christmas Eve Carol by Arthur Godfrey (1933)

Last year while reseraching the history of Barnsley Town Hall we uncovered a Christmas carol that had been lost for 90 years. We recorded a version and since then it has been picked up by the BBC and is continued to be sung around Barnsley and now the world which was Arthur Godfrey's intention when he had the song published in the Barnsley Chronicle.

Since last year we have done research into Arthur Godfrey which you can read about in our new blog. As part of the Fusion Festival of Joy we are currently working with schools and community groups to make a music video. We will share this online on Tuesday 10 December at 7pm

Want to sing your own version of The Barnsley Carol? The lyrics, including a karaoke style track is available on our website alongside other versions of the song

Here's a reminder of the orginal version.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas in Makaton

We have recorded a version of this wonderfully nostalgic Christmas story in Makaton filmed in the stunning ballroom at Cannon Hall Museum

Brian Wildsmith - 12 Days of Christmas (Makaton)

We've re-recorded our Makaton video with illustrations by Brian Wildsmith whose work is being celebrated at Experience Barnsley and The Cooper Gallery until 4 January 2025 (please check our Christmas opening times before visiting)

Follow Barnsley Archives and Local Studies on Facebook on X/Twitter for more #BarnsleyChristmas memories.