Welcome to the April 2024 edition of the ASVA E-Zine asva.co.uk   [email protected]   07458 306982 Princess Royal tours National Mining Museum February 2015 Scotland's National Mining Museum set the seal on its 30th birthday celebrations last month with a visit by HRH The Princess Royal. The Princess toured the former Lady Victoria Colliery at Newtongrange in the company of the museum's Keeper, Ellenor Swinbank, and staff of the multi-award winning museum. She was then welcomed by the Deputy Chairman of the NMMS Trust, John Allen, the local Provost, MPs, MSPs, senior trustees, staff and volunteers. Her Royal Highness' itinerary included visits to the pithead, the 120-year-old winding engine, and the colliery's original power house, opened in 1894.  The tour was conducted by former miners who now provide the Museum with its tour guides, and delight visitors with their unique personal experiences of a vanished industry. The Princess Royal also met a teacher and four pupils from Rosewell Primary School, who initiated her in the concept behind the Museum's "Kids' Takeover Days," when children take on the roles of curators, collection managers, tour guides and marketing officers for the day. Education Officer Alison Shepherd showed Princess Anne the materials used in another Museum initiative, the "Memories in Your Hands " outreach programme, which sends out boxes of items from the collection that can be handled and enjoyed by people unable to visit the site personally, and is especially valued in the treatment of degenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer's. Finally, on departure the Princess signed the museum's visitor book. Ellenor Swinbank said: "It was an absolute pleasure to show Her Royal Highness around the museum today.  She was obviously so interested in everything and everyone and it was great to see her so engaged." « back Member News Stirling Old Town Jail Awarded Coveted Five-Star Grading by VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme Stirling Old Town Jail has proudly achieved a prestigious five-star grading from the VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme. Read more » Edinburgh Zoo Named Best Zoo in Scotland The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has been named the best zoo to visit in Scotland by TripAdvisor, the world’s biggest travel guidance platform.   Read more » Summerlee Celebrates Four Millionth Visitor Summerlee Museum of Industrial life welcomed its four millionth visitor since opening its doors in 1988. Read more » Research Reveals Da Vinci Code Impact at Rosslyn Chapel - 21 Years After Publication Visitors to Rosslyn Chapel are still strongly influenced by its role in The Da Vinci Code according to new research undertaken to mark the 21st anniversary of the book, which was first published on 18th March 2003. Read more » Internationally Acclaimed Artists Join Kelpies Tenth Anniversary Celebrations The creator and sculptor of the iconic Kelpies at The Helix, one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, Andy Scott, has returned to Scotland from his home in Los Angeles, California, in advance of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the world- renowned equine structures, as the latest star to perform at Kelpies 10 on 27 April 2024, is announced. Read more » Internationally Acclaimed Artists Join Kelpies Tenth Anniversary Celebrations The creator and sculptor of the iconic Kelpies at The Helix, one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, Andy Scott, has returned to Scotland from his home in Los Angeles, California, in advance of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the world- renowned equine structures, as the latest star to perform at Kelpies 10 on 27 April 2024, is announced. Read more » The Search is on for Scotland’s Nature Tourism Champions Whether you are a pioneering business or a collaborative partnership, this is your moment to be celebrated. With headline sponsor NatureScot, RSPB are recognising the people and initiatives protecting Scotland’s nature – open to all. Read more » Major Exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk to Open at V&A Dundee The fascinating story of the style, appeal and influence of the kimono is explored in a major exhibition opening at V&A Dundee on Saturday 4 May. Read more » The National Trust for Scotland Launches Global Access to its Robert Burns Collection Over 2,500 historic items from the National Trust for Scotland’s internationally important collections from the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway are now available to explore from anywhere in the world. Read more » Verdant Works Undergoes Brand Refresh with Thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Fund Scotland’s only jute museum, founded in a refurbished 1833 mill in the heart of Dundee - the city once coined ‘juteopolis’ - has undergone a brand refresh, with thanks to funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Read more » Introducing ‘LemurLounge’: A New Chapter in Enrichment at Blair Drummond Safari Park Blair Drummond Safari Park are proud to announce their latest collaboration with researchers from the University of Glasgow to introduce groundbreaking enrichment for zoo lemurs. Read more » Learn About 17th Century Medicine at The Real Mary King’s Close The Real Mary King’s Close launched its brand-new Medical History Tours, a unique guided experience which takes guests on a journey through the fascinating development of medicine through time. Read more » Aberdeen Science Centre Promotes Inclusivity with New Sensory Space Aberdeen Science Centre has introduced a new Sensory Space to support visitors that could feel overwhelmed or overstimulated whilst at the centre. Read more » Get Your Quack On! Dalkeith Country Park to Host Doddie Duck Race in Support of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation Grab your rubber duckies and mark your calendars because Dalkeith Country Park is gearing up for a quack-tastic charity event - the Doddie Duck Race! Read more » Read more ASVA news » Industry News from attractionsmanagement.com The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England. Read more » Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing. Read more » Raby Castle reveals ambitious plans to become a major visitor destination Raby Castle, known as one of the finest medieval fortifications in England, is nearing the end of an ambitious two-year renovation project. Read more » Read more industry news » Job vacancies from attractionsmanagement.com Director of Operations Active Luton Luton, UK Read more » Chief Executive Officer, Mount Batten Centre Mount Batten Group Plymouth, UK Read more » More jobs » Exhibitions & Events 26th January – 18th May 2024 Andy Warhol: The Textiles Location: Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT Find out more » Diary dates from leisurediary.com 08-08 May 2024 Hospitality Design Conference Hotel Melià , Milano , Italy Read more » 10-12 May 2024 Asia Pool & Spa Expo China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China Read more » 18-22 May 2024 Eco Resort Network The Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Mauritius Read more » 23-24 May 2024 European Health Prevention Day Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais), Wiesbaden, Germany Read more » 06-07 Jun 2024 World Sauna Forum 2024 Sataman Viilu , Jyväskylä, Finland Read more » 03-05 Sep 2024 ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo IMPACT Exhibition Center, Bangkok, Thailand Read more » 01-04 Oct 2024 Synergy - The Retreat Show REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort Nusa Dua Bali, Kabupaten Badung, Indonesia Read more » 01-03 Nov 2024 HEALING SUMMIT 2024 - The Heart Retreat Broughton Sanctuary, Skipton, Yorkshire , Portugal Read more » 04-07 Nov 2024 Global Wellness Summit (GWS) In person, St Andrews, United Kingdom Read more » More diary dates »

This E-Zine is sent to you as an ASVA membership benefit. To unsubscribe click here. This E-Zine is produced and mailed on behalf of ASVA by Leisure Media