'Not just for Christmas' is an exhibition of exotic, local and domestic animals, including birds and fish, from the taxidermy collection of Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth.

A display of taxidermy by the Hutchings family of Aberystwyth is on show from the 8th December 2007 until the 1st March 2008.

This is the chance to come face to face with exotic and domestic animals from tigers to robins. Ceredigion Museum has a fine collection of Victorian taxidermy mainly by the noted Hutchings family of Aberystwyth and this will be shown in a special display at the Coliseum gallery.

When I was writing my recent book on the Hutchings family I came to understand why the Hutchings family were so special. They produced works which are of a very high quality.

This display is the celebration of some fine craftsmanship but it is also an attempt to explain how our views about wild animals have changed. Besides showing some rare and wonderful examples the exhibition also includes more common animals such as foxes and sea birds.

Animals were killed for various reasons during the 19th and 20th centuries. The main reason was for food, including many animals that we would not consider eating now.

Small birds and various types of eggs were collected and eaten but during the 19th century hunting of small birds and animals became illegal, mainly because it affected the sport of the gentry.

Some animals, birds and eggs were collected for ornament, prestige, study and teaching. In a few cases this led to the greater understanding of the natural world, but for many this was just a trophy and added prestige, the rarer the item in the collection, the greater the prestige of the collector.

Some of the items in the display at the Coliseum come from Llanerchaeron, a National Trust country house. It was typical of a large stately home to have animals displayed as ornaments. Besides foxes heads and deer there might even be a snake or a big fish displayed as a trophy.

The Hutchings family of Aberystwyth are considered by experts to be exceptional. Besides the fine preservation of the animal skins they managed to succeed in capturing the right physical attitude of the animal displayed.

The first James Hutchings and his wife Rhoda, had seven children and many of them became involved in the business of preserving and displaying animals.

They became experts in the art and were collected world wide. They were also very good at making realistic backgrounds for the animals and painted sunsets, atmospheric scenes and included dried grasses and rocks.

Besides researching through invoices and trade labels Michael also looked through back copies of the Cambrian News and discovered that the shop they ran was also a gunsmiths.

Since the exhibition is running over the Christmas period the museum is also offering a number of free activities for visitors. We felt with this special exhibition we should offer those who are home for a holiday the chance to come in and see this extraordinary collection.

We would like to encourage families to come and enjoy quizzes and workshops together. Activities on the 27th, 28th and 29th December will include something for all the family and any age.

We have Sue Jones Davies telling stories about animals for young visitors, Ami Marsden making animal sculptures and masks with older children and adults, and Oliver Morys inspiring people to write a short story, poem or even a play. All activities will be free but we would please ask that people book for the Ami Marsden sessions.

Article by Michael Freeman

All the information about times follows:

Thursday 27 December:
Morning session: 10.30 - 12.30
Sue Jones Davies will be offering story telling for young children. Sue will be reading short tales of animals and fables of much loved characters. Drop in for any or all of it. All children will have to be accompanied by an adult and the sessions will be flexible.

Thursday 27 December:
Afternoon session: 2.00 - 4.00
Ami Marsden will be offering a 'making session' where all ages, from eight upwards, can produce a paper or cardboard sculpture or mask of an animal. Please give us a ring on 01970 633088 to book a place (limited to ten per 45 minute session)

Friday 28 December:
Morning session: 10.30 - 12.30
Ami Marsden will be offering a 'making session' where all ages, from eight upwards, can produce a paper or cardboard sculpture or mask of an animal. Please give us a ring on 01970 633078 to book a place (limited to ten per session)

Friday 28 December:

Afternoon session: 2.00 - 4.00
Oliver Morys will be inspiring you to write about animals, whether it is a short story, a poem or a simple description. This is a chance to let your mind wonder and express yourself through words. All ages welcome. This session will be in English only.

Saturday 29 December
Morning session: 10.30 - 12.30
Oliver Morys will be inspiring you to write about animals, whether it is a short story, a poem or a simple description. This is a chance to let your mind wonder and express yourself through words. All ages welcome. This session will be in English only.

Saturday 29 December
Afternoon: 2.00 - 4.00
Sue Jones Davies will be offering story telling for young children. Sue will be reading short tales of animals and fables of much loved animal characters. Drop in for any or all of it. All children will have to be accompanied by an adult and the sessions will be flexible.