Can you unravel the mysteries of Gloucestershire’s own Egyptian mummy? Gloucestershire Archives is offering you the chance to unearth some spooky secrets next week.

  The Archives service is running free ‘Mummy Roadshows’ at Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery on Wednesday, April 15th. The three one-hour sessions are between 10am and 11am, 11.30am and 12.30pm and 1pm and 2pm. There is no need to book, just turn up at any of the sessions.

  If you go along, you can find out why a mummy was once unwrapped in Gloucestershire, try your hand at hieroglyphics and enjoy arts and crafts activities on an Egyptian theme. The sessions are suitable for children aged five and over and their parents and carers.

  Cllr Ron Allen, Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet member for Archives, said: “What a fascinating story about the acquisition of Edmund Hopkinson’s Egyptian mummy - you couldn’t imagine anything like that happening today.

  “But what is happening in modern times is that you have a chance to find out more about the mysteries of ancient Egypt with Gloucestershire Archives. Do come along and delve into the unknown - it sounds spooky but it will be great fun!”     For more information, call Gloucestershire Archives on 01452 425295, e-mail archives@gloucestershire.gov.uk or go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives   The story behind the Gloucestershire Mummy   In December 1848, Edmund Hopkinson, a wealthy member of the Gloucestershire gentry, won an ancient Egyptian mummy in a grand raffle at a Christmas dinner party in London.

  He brought the mummy back to his country home, Edgeworth Manor House, near Cirencester. In September 1851, he decided to hold a ‘mummy unwrapping party’ for the ‘Who’s who’ of Gloucestershire’s gentry. There were drinks, dinner and even music supplied by the Cirencester Town Band.