Latest News

Museum goes Green with a Bronze award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme

We are delighted to announce that we have been given a Bronze award by the Green Tourism Business Scheme - the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK.

We recently underwent an assessment by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more.

Everyone at the museum is very proud of our award, but know that there is always more that can be done to help the environment. We hope our visitors and supporters will help us to keep improving. Look out for our new and improved Sustainability Policy and Green Visitor Charter at the museum and on the website soon! For more information about the GTBS go to www.green-business.co.uk

Descendents of James Phipps visit Museum on the 214th Anniversary of his vaccination

We were very pleased to welcome the Humphreys family to the museum on Friday 14th May, 214 years to the day after their ancester James Phipps was famously vaccinated by Dr Edward Jenner.

Although now living in Gloucestershire the family had little knowledge of their famous relative until they began researching their family tree. With a little help from Gloucestershire Achives, they got in touch with the museum and by complete co-incidence chose to visit on this special anniversary day.

Are you a descendent of the Phipps', Nelmes' or Jenners? Would you be interested in meeting other descendents at a special event here at the Museum? Look out for our upcoming Friends Scheme and news about future events.

World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva Unveil a Commemorative Statue

For the BBC story on the commemorative statue in Geneva dedicated to Edward Jenner's work, please click here

The Ewdard Jenner Museum was invited to the ceremony but due to airspace restrictions caused by the volcanic ash cloud the museum delegation was very sadly unable to attend, hwoever a picture of the statue can be seen on the right of this page.

Angel of Death: The Story of Smallpox by Gareth Williams

A new book on smallpox and the life of Edward Jenner has been written by one of the Trustees of The Edward Jenner Museum, Prof Gareth Williams. The excitingly titled Angel of Death will soon be on sale but we will have signed copies of the new book here at the museum. If you would like to reserve a signed copy to purchase, please email us at quoting" Angel of Death".

For a "meet the Author" film, please click here

Royal Mail Launches 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 for 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.

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".

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.

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?

**STOP PRESS**

Such has been the demand for Jenner's statue to be reinstated in Trafalgar Square, an international petition has been set up. Sign it here