CRAVEN Museum and Gallery will reopen tomorrow with a new display about the Magna Carta.

Visitors will be able to see a replica of the Magna Carta, which was given to Skipton as part of the 800th anniversary of its creation.

The replica is one of 25 given to villages, towns and cities that played an influential role in the agreement of the document 800 years ago.

The Magna Carta is an important document laying the foundations of civil liberties and rights which are still around today. It was created due to a revolt led by the Barons of England against King John (1199-1216). They renounced their oaths and captured the City of London; their demands were drawn up into the Charter of Liberties which is now known as the Magna Carta.

One of these Barons was William de Forz who represented Skipton, which is why the Craven Museum and Gallery is celebrating this important anniversary.

The display allows the visitor to view one of the most influential documents in history and has been put together largely by the the Skipton Magna Carta Working Group, who have worked hard to mark the 800th anniversary in Skipton.

In addition, a contemporary art exhibition titled The Forest of Possibility will be unveiled next Thursday, May 7, and will run until June 30. The exhibition is the third in the Art Unpacked series of touring art exhibitions created by Gargrave-based Chrysalis Art, bringing the very best of contemporary art and craft to your doorstep.

The exhibition features seven artists: James Aldridge, Claire Brewster, Andrea Mastrovito, Charlotte McGowan-Griffin, Davy and Kristin McGuire, Clare Skill and Justine Smith. Using paper, the artists bring to life stories from the forest, from the mysteries of fairy tales to its sinister shadows.

In tandem with the exhibitions, family craft activities will be on offer next Saturday, May 9, from 10.30am and 12.30pm; there will be an evening of talks from Natasha Howes, curator of the Forest of Possibility exhibition, and Susan Broadhead, about Magna Carta, on Monday, June 1; and there will be family fun activities on Saturday, June 13, from 12.30pm until 2.30pm with one of the artists featured in the Forest of Possibility exhibition.

Please see Craven Museum & Gallery website www.cravenmuseum.org for more details.