Join us at the RAF Museum London for a special day of free activities celebrating From Barnet with Love – artist Emma Tominey’s exploration of Barnet’s pioneering postal history and the ways we connect with one another. Part of the Light + Flight Festival, the day brings together art, local history, storytelling, music, and hands-on activities for all ages, centered around the From Barnet with Love exhibition at the RAF Museum.
Throughout the day, discover the story of the Museum’s historic Hendon site and its connection to the beginnings of air mail, get creative with artist Emma Tominey, follow a stamp trail through the Museum and send a message of your own.
When: Saturday 21 November, 10.00am-3.30pm
Where: The Royal Air Force Museum, Hangars 1 and 2
Cost: Free!
What’s on:
Postcard printing with Emma Tominey: Drop in and get creative with From Barnet with Love artist Emma Tominey, making your own printed postcard inspired by the project.
Historic Hendon Talk: Explore the fascinating history of the RAF Museum’s site, from its origins as the London Aerodrome to its role in the first Royal Mail by Air flight.
The Flying Postman: An interactive storytelling session for younger visitors, bringing the story of the early days of air mail to life.
Morse Code and Semaphore: Learn more about communications at the time of the first aerial post and have a go yourself
Live music from BEAT: Enjoy a special musical performance from BEAT (Barnet Education Arts Trust) as part of the day’s programme
Postcard writing: Put pen to postcard and try your hand at simple calligraphy using a traditional dip pen and ink. Write a short message while reflecting on how communication might have felt in the early days of air mail
The Flying Message Trail: Discover more about early flight and communication with our fun family trail
Stamp Collecting: Explore our activities and collect stamps along the way
Selfie Station: Stop by the From Barnet with Love selfie station and capture a memory of your visit.
From Barnet with Love
Created by artist Emma Tominey, ‘From Barnet with Love’ takes inspiration from Barnet’s connection to the Coronation Aerial Post of 1911 and explores postcards as objects that connect people, places and memories. The project has brought people together across Barnet through workshops and creative activities, inviting communities to reflect on the borough, its histories and the messages they would like to send from Barnet today. See the resulting From Barnet with Love exhibition at the RAF Museum and take part in the project yourself as Light + Flight continues its celebrations across the borough.
