A NEW book featuring historical objects from a museum in Cirencester has been launched in the town.

Artefact, which features items from the Corinium Museum in Park Street, was launched on Saturday, October 19 at a special event at The Parish Forum in the Market Place.

It was hosted by the book’s publisher, Crumps Barn Studio in Syde.

“The launch was very well attended,” a spokesperson for Artefact said.

“So many of the authors came along, and we celebrated the release of this beautiful book in style.

“The launch event ran for several hours, and the authors kept arriving.

“Some had travelled a really long way to get here by coach and other routes.

“It was really meaningful to bring together so many people to celebrate a book which is all about our connection to the past.”

Artefact - a collaboration between Crumps Barn Studio and the Corinium Museum - contains poetry and stories inspired by objects from the museum collections.

It features the work of 29 authors, as well as a foreword by Emma Stuart, Corinium Museum director.

“We invited authors of short stories, memoir and poetry to respond to a historical object in some way, and the results are incredible,” said Lorna Brookes, the main editor of the collection and the lead at Crumps Barn Studio.

“Artefact is a truly beautiful book.

“Each of the authors has found a means of bringing the voices of the past to life or giving voice to the objects themselves.

“The book also features images from the Corinium Museum collection.”

Emma, who helped develop the concept for the book, said: “When you look at an ancient object, something happens.

“There is an appreciation of it and a connection, not just to the object but to the maker, to the owner and to its final resting place under the ground or to its current home.

“To see that these artefacts have the power to inspire writers is just wonderful.

“It has been a true pleasure to read the stories and poetry inspired by objects from the Corinium Museum collections and from elsewhere.”

Notable objects cared for by the Corinium Museum that have inspired writers in the collection include a copper alloy head of the Roman god Vulcan and a pocket watch from the 19th century.

“The collection as a whole leads readers into a world of ancient myths and Roman treasures, lost loves and haunted relics,” Lorna added.

“It’s fascinating to reimagine historical objects in fiction, memoir and poetry.”

A companion book to Artefact will be launched by Crumps Barn Studio at Powell’s School in Gloucester Street, Cirencester, in early November.

The Storming of Cirencester is a history of the important Civil War battle told from the point of view of the people and animals who witnessed it.

Crumps Barn Studio collaborated with the Corinium Museum and Year 5 pupils at the school to explain what happened in a collection of 59 short stories.

There will also be photographs and historical notes to take readers on a tour of the principal locations in the town.

Both books have been created to tie in with Cirencester History Festival.

Artefact is available from the Corinium Museum shop, as well as high-street bookshops across the UK and online retailers.