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Haverhill’s new museum, the Centre for Computing History will be taking part in St Edmundsbury’s annual Heritage Open Days event over the weekend of the 13 and 14 September. As the Centre is not yet open to the public, this is a great opportunity to view some of its treasures.

The centre’s primary focus is the social impact of the ‘Information Age’. Exhibitions will demonstrate how computers have changed our lives, spotlight our dependence on them in the home, at work and at play, and remind people of how we now take them for granted. The centre highlights many interesting facts about computers e.g. there are around 150 computers in the average home in 2008, a mobile phone today has more memory than the computers that helped put man on the moon.

In addition, the centre also showcases many of the great stories of the ‘Information Age’ – the rivalry between Apple and Microsoft, the pioneering heritage of British computing, the fascination of the first PC in 1974.

Just like the BBC, the Centre aims to ‘educate, inform and entertain’. At the heart of the exhibition is interactive experience. To this end, one of the centre’s most important exhibitions is based around computer games. Visitors will be able to sample vintage favourites like Elite, Space Invaders and Pong.

As well as free entry to the building, the collections and the current exhibition, ‘Computer Games 1977 to 1990 ’, visitors can enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the centre’s internationally important core collection.

Although this event is free it is essential to book as places are limited and admission is strictly through bookings only. For further details and to book contact Bury St Edmunds Tourist Information Centre on 01284 764667 or email:

E-Mail Link: tic@stedsbc.gov.uk