April 8: Brunel’s birthday weekend celebrations with procession, community play, dance, music and fireworks culminating in the switching on of the new lighting system at Clifton suspension bridge. Contact Mike Rowland, tel: 0117 974 4664 for group visits, or visit www.clifton-suspension-bridge.org.uk for more celebration details.
April 15 to June 18: “Brunel and the Art of Invention”, an art exhibition at Bristol’s City Museum and Art Gallery, tel: 0117 922 3571.
April to October: “The Forces Behind Brunel” exhibition at At-Bristol, and “The Nine Lives of Brunel” exhibition on the SS Great Britain. These linked exhibitions explore Brunel’s legacy using original artefacts and interactive displays. To arrange a school visit to At-Bristol, tel: 0117 915 7777, or email: education@at-bristol.org.uk. To arrange a school visit to SS Great Britain, tel: 0117 926 0680, or email: admin@ss-great-britain.com to discuss your group’s needs.
April to late summer: The Brunel Tour 2006 at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum about the Great Western Railway and Bristol Temple Meads. For workshops and tours, tel: 0117 925 4980, or email: bookings@empiremuseum.co.uk.
July 29-30: Bristol Harbour Festival will include Brunel-themed events.
“History of Bristol Zoo Gardens - from Brunel to biodiversity”, a guided walk and talk at the zoo, is available to book year round, and an “Animal Engineers” trail will open at the zoo in spring. To book or find out more about workshops and school visits, tel: 0117 974 7369, or email: education@bristolzoo.org.uk.
Throughout this exhibition period there will be guided walks and ferry boat rides between and around the Brunel sites, and special events including family fun days, talks, engineering challenges, performances and workshops - details to be confirmed - in addition to an extensive educational programme that will include onsite and outreach initiatives.www.brunel200.com
