Agatha Christie, justice and women and an exhibition from the British Museum - Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum is set for a busy 2022.

The Dorchester museum has announced it programme of activities for next year, which features an exhibition from the British Museum which explores immigration and refugees, an exhibition exploring Agatha Christie's life and works, as well as new interpretation and stories exploring women's experiences with justice.

Abbie King, director of Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, said: "We're thrilled to be able to share our 2022 programme of activities at Shire Hall.

"Social justice is at the heart of everything we do here at Shire Hall and next year we'll be exploring topics from immigration and refugees to women's experiences with the justice system.

"We're delighted the British Museum has chosen Shire Hall as a venue for its spotlight exhibition tour 'Crossings: community and refuge', which includes loan of the Lampedusa Cross.

"Alongside our exhibitions, we will continue our diverse range of activities from schools' workshops and business events to our memory café. 2022 promises to be an unforgettable year for Shire Hall."

Shire Hall's learning programme will also continue in 2022.

From British values, to history, English and PHSE, Shire Hall's historic building can stimulate learning across the curriculum and offer interactive sessions to schools.

It also has its Teas and Talks, which cover a range of subjects with guest speakers.

Anne Brown, learning manager at Shire Hall, said: "At Shire Hall, we strongly believe that learning opportunities should be available to everyone, no matter what age. Which is why we're so delighted to be expanding our life-long learning programme for 2022.

"We are increasing the number of schools sessions we deliver, expanding our topics for different key stages which will continue to encourage the development of critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.

"We're also delighted to welcome new guest speakers to deliver our monthly Teas and Talks."

Crossings: community and refuge

Including the Lampedusa Cross and poignant boat artwork, this exhibition opens in December 2022 and will engage with audiences in questions of identity, belonging and sharing our world.

In October 2013, an overcrowded boat carrying migrants from Somalia and Eritrea caught fire, capsized and sank near Lampedusa, off the coast of Tunisia and 311 people, who were fleeing persecution and seeking refuge in Europe, lost their lives.

Moved by the plight of survivors, the island's carpenter, Francesco Tuccio, made crosses from the wreckage. These signified salvation from the sea, hope for the future as well as the sad fate of many migrants.

Alongside the Lampedusa cross, the exhibition will also feature 12 tiny boats from Syrian-born Issam Kourbaj, from his series Dark Water, Burning World. Made from repurposed bicycle mudguards tightly packed with burnt matches, the artwork represents the fragile vessels used by refugees to make their voyages as a response to the ongoing tragedy in Syria.

Crossings: community and refuge will be on display from December 1, 2022, to December 26, 2022.

Raising Voices

In March 2022, Shire Hall launches it new series Raising Voices. The aim of this series is to share the stories of people and communities whose voices weren't always heard.

The first instalment of the series will explore women's experiences with justice. Examining the stories of Martha Brown, Charlotte Bryant and Violet der Elst, all of whom were involved with trials and sentencing at Shire Hall.

Raising Voices: women and the justice system will open in March 2022.

Agatha Christie

From May until September 2022, Shire Hall is hosting an exhibition examining the life and works of crime writer Agatha Christie.

This exhibition will give visitors further insight into Christie's writing and personal life, from the inspiration behind her work to the infamous story of her disappearance.

Agatha Christie exhibition will be on display from April 29 to September 2

Community engagement

Shire Hall will continue its work with people living with dementia, expanding its Memory Café to include regular reminiscence sessions, as well as dementia friendly Cake Concert from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

As well as stocking products from local businesses in its shop, Shire Hall will continue to showcase and promote local businesses at its markets. Following the success of its Christmas markets, Shire Hall will be hosting its first Easter market in 2022. It will feature more than 20 local businesses, selling everything from food and drink to photography and crafts.

For more information, about Shire Hall's programme of activities for 2022, visit shirehalldorset.org

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