Latest News

Royal Mail to Launch Edward Jenner Stamp

We are delighted to report that in February 2010, the Royal Mail launched a new series of 'scientific' stamps celebrating the Royal Society's 350th anniversary. With more than 1,400 to choose from, Edward Jenner was one of only ten Royal Society Fellows chosen to mark this important anniversary.

Jenner was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (the world's oldest scientific academy) in February 1789 on his work on the nesting habits of cuckoos.

The ten 1st Class stamps of Royal Society figures were issued on 25 February 2010. Each portrait is black and white with dramatic and colourful imagery representing their achievements. Through the work of its Fellows, the Royal Society has had a major impact on the world. The Royal Mail consulted with experts from the Society to determine the ten Fellows. 

Stamps and stamp products will be available via the museum, from post offices or by contacting Royal Mail direct.

The Royal Mail stamps mark some of the important events during 2010's The Year of Edward Jenner. Click here for our 2010 activities.

VAQAS Award for The Edward Jenner Museum

The Edward Jenner Museum is delighted to have been accepted into the VAQAS award scheme, where Museums and Attractions are assesed on several criteria to see how they rate as a visitor attraction.

Only once they have satisfied the inspector on their tour of inspection is the Quality Assurance award given.

Sarah Parker, the Museum Director said "We're thrilled that the museum's continuing hard work to improve the visitor experience has now met with official recognition. We will now further develop our events and interpretation to offer a fantastic day out for families and visitors of all ages".

Old Cyder House Talks Proving Popular

The Old Cyder House talks have proved that the concept of providing an entertaining yet informative talk to the public is working. The series covers all types of subjects using a variety of speakers from different backgrounds. The latest talk, Berkeley: A Town that Changed the World by Tim Davies, once again proved how popular our new series of talks are. A glass of wine afterwards offers a chance to mingle informally with our speakers and ask those probing questions!

More details can be found on the Events Page, but it is advisable to book in advance as places for some talks are selling very quickly!

The Eradication of Smallpox - A Landmark in Medical History

The 26th October 2009 marked the 30th anniversary of one of the most world-changing events in history: the official World Health Organization declaration of the eradication of smallpox, the only disease to date to ever be eliminated. The last case of smallpox occurred in Somalia in October 1977. During the 1960s when the WHO launched the worldwide eradication campaign smallpox victims were estimated at 10-15 million each year, the disease affecting no fewer than 30 countries.

Famous historical victims who suffered from smallpox include Queen Elizabeth I, Joseph Stalin, and Mozart.

The museum will be celebrating the anniversary throughout 2010 with an exciting and varied events programme!

Were you involved with the WHO's smallpox eradication programme? If so, please contact us. We are keen to gather as many reminiscences and letters/diaries as possible.

Sign up for our newsletter for the latest details.

Trafalgar Square - Where is Edward Jenner?

Sign our petition to return Dr Jenner's statue to Trafalgar Square in 2010, to celebrate 30 years of the Eradication of Smallpox. We already have 1,000 signatures, so if you're a UK citizen why not sign our No 10 Downing Street Petition?

The picture on the right shows the original location of the 5th Plinth with Jenner's statue (arrowed). For more information click on the highlighted link above.

**STOP PRESS**

Such has been the demand for Jenner's statue to be reinstated in Trafalgar Square, an international petition open to all will soon be launched. More information and how you can sign it when we have it...