Tell a story with your finds

The team behind the restoration and re-opening of Mrs Smith’s Cottage museum in Navenby have launched a competition for families to create an ‘Egg Box Museum’ while making the most of their daily exercise limit under coronavirus movement restrictions.

The prize will be a family ticket to Mrs Smith’s Cottage (redeemable when it re-opens).

Learning and Development Officer Sally Field explained: “We are asking people to go for a walk in their local area or in their garden, while being mindful of social distancing and hand washing. Take an empty egg box with you and fill each section with things from the natural world that they find on their walk.”

She says it is important to look after your community. It must be a piece of natural material, it could be leaves, sticks, little stones, wool, feathers, or simply whatever interests you. She urges you not to pick up anything that is still alive, insects and flowers need to be left so they can do an important job with-in their local ecosystems.

“We have posted examples on our Twitter feed,” Sally said.

“When you return from your walk we would like you to tell us a story about the objects you have collected. This story can take any form you wish, it can be a picture, animation, a written story, poem, or you can film yourself telling us the story.

“You can be as imaginative as you like.”

When you’ve completed your story, in whatever format you want, you can enter them in the competition.

You can submit your entry by email, on Twitter, or Instagram. Or email: [email protected]

If you share it via Twitter or Instagram, make sure you use #nkeggboxmuseum so the team can find your entry - without it they will not be able to find it.

They will enter it in their competition and choose a shortlist which will be shared in an online vote by the public to choose the final winner.

“We look forward to seeing your creativity,” Sally said.

The challenge runs until May 8 and is open to all - no age limit - and the team may choose to present more than one prize.

Need some inspiration?

Think about the shapes and colours of the items, or get someone to ask you questions.

Remember there are no correct answers.

If you have some flowers, do they have any insect friends?

What would a dress made from the flowers look like?

Who would wear it?

If you find a leaf, does it look like it could be boat for an ant?