Hundreds visit Cannon Hall as Barugh Green Primary School takeover!
12th November 2025
On 23rd October, hundreds of visitors streamed through the doors of Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens as 47 young children from Barugh Green Primary School took over the running of the site for the day. The event was part of the national Kids in Museums Takeover Day initiative when young people take over museums, galleries, historic homes, archives and heritage sites across the UK.
The young people took on a range of roles, becoming front of house assistants by welcoming the visitors on arrival; learning assistants by supporting visitors with a spooky craft activity; and gardeners as they helped the outdoors team maintain the gardens and parklands.
A number of guests were also invited to attend on the day including the Chief Executive of Barnsley Council, Sarah Norman, Executive Director of Public Health and Communities, Anna Hartley, the young Mayor of Barnsley, Florence Asquite and Rev Canon Keith Farrow, the Deputy Lieutenant of South Yorkshire. The children were able to showcase their new knowledge and skills by welcoming the guests and providing an insightful tour of the museum.
Fusion and Barnsley Museums are passionate about including children and young people and providing opportunities to find out more about some of the brilliant creative careers across the borough.
This supports Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s Great Childhoods Ambition programme which is helping children and young people in Barnsley to benefit from the opportunities that great childhoods can bring.
Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It was amazing to see the young people from Barugh Green Primary School take over Cannon Museum, Park and Gardens last week as part of the Kids in Museums Takeover Day.
“The museum was full of visitors and parents throughout the day, and it was great to see the buzz around one of the cultural hotspots in the borough.
“It was yet another example of delivering on our Great Childhoods Ambition commitment by providing a range of experiences and learning opportunities that can help give children and young people the best start in life.”
The Trust was delighted to be able to provide the funding to allow the day to happen, thanks to donations received from our supporters.
