Butterflies at the Horniman

[Lynne]

If you'r seriously interested or want to take photos of the butterflies, don't bother. Really packed, in spite of the timed ticket entry (why bother?). Children grabbing at the butterflies with neither parents nor staff making any effort to control them.

[siousxiesue]

What a shame, I was waiting the little darlings to go back to school, but I'm seriously disappointed in any grabbing behaviour, where were the staff?

[uncleglen]

How are the staff responsible for the childrens' behaviour? I was in the Science Museum recently and there was a child trying to dismantle the cut-away mini they have on show. One of the other viewers (female) said something to the child (old enough to know better) and the pathetic father had a go at the visitor in front of the child...what is going on? I bet the daddy wouldn't have said anything if it had been a male who spoke to his child.

[bobbsy]

I went last Saturday - I thought it was amazing. It was timed entry, I didn't think it was too busy, and the range of butterflies was astounding. A couple landed on my little one and it made her day. Thoroughly recommend. Perhaps you were at an unlucky time. I'll go again.

[Lynne]

It's made me think that the Horniman is no longer a museum, it's just an indoor playground.

Why not extend the cafe (it's always full) to cover the whole of the ground floor, use most of the basement for a soft play area (keep the aquarium, it's fun for children to scream and hear the echos and bang on the glass to startle the fish) while the top floor could be devoted to just running round and round and shouting.Oh yes, keep the musical tables, it's nice for people to have something to sit and have their lunch (last week)while children randomly hit the buttons.

[Sue]

FFS.

If children aren't taken to museums, galleries etc from an early age, how do you think those places will carry on when the children grow up?

Or if they are taken, but find them totally boring because there is nothing for them to do?

My grandchildren love the Horniman.

If you want to go somewhere where no kids are allowed, maybe go somewhere else?

Or if you don't like the behaviour you see, take it up with the parents?

I have intervened in a screaming match between two kids in the cafe where the younger one was in danger of being pushed out of his high chair and the adult/s with them were nowhere to be seen.

If you do nothing (eg report the butterfly grabbing to staff) how do you think the behaviour of some parents will change?

[siousxiesue]

Sue Wrote:

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> FFS.

>

> If children aren't taken to museums, galleries etc

> from an early age, how do you think those places

> will carry on when the children grow up?

>

> Or if they are taken, but find them totally boring

> because there is nothing for them to do?

>

> My grandchildren love the Horniman.

>

> If you want to go somewhere where no kids are

> allowed, maybe go somewhere else?

>

> Or if you don't like the behaviour you see, take

> it up with the parents?

>

> I have intervened in a screaming match between two

> kids in the cafe where the younger one was in

> danger of being pushed out of his high chair and

> the adult/s with them were nowhere to be seen.

>

> If you do nothing (eg report the butterfly

> grabbing to staff) how do you think the behaviour

> of some parents will change?

Agreed Sue which is why I chose my times to visit certain things that may have children attached. Nothing against them but it's a choice. I'm glad art galleries/museums are not seen as bastions of silent worship any more and welcome the small people but the next step is getting the adults with them to police (outrageous not normal) behaviour.

[fishbiscuits]

Lynne Wrote:

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> Why not extend the cafe (it's always full) to

> cover the whole of the ground floor, use most of

> the basement for a soft play area blah blah... moan moan...

It's a family museum - always has been. There's much more there for kids than there is for adults.

In fact, why bother going there without kids? Who's really interested in glass cabinets of flea-bitten taxidermy and old musical instruments?

[Sue]

fishbiscuits Wrote:

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> In fact, why bother going there without kids?

> Who's really interested in glass cabinets of

> flea-bitten taxidermy and old musical instruments?

Well, I am actually.

Have been there quite often without kids :))

[Lynne]

I used to recommend the musical instruments section to music students as it's a remarkable collection. Now I have to warn them that the chances of hearing the instruments in the electronic display are low

[Sue]

Lynne Wrote:

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> I used to recommend the musical instruments

> section to music students as it's a remarkable

> collection. Now I have to warn them that the

> chances of hearing the instruments in the

> electronic display are low

They were perfectly audible last time I was there.