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An article that did not make the press this month

Back to school

If you would like to jog your memory of the old Halesworth Middle School and Secondary Modern School, Halesworth & District Museum is the place to go. Photos, sports cups, school magazines and a national award for choral singing are just some of the memorabilia in a brand-new display featuring the town’s former schools. Even if you hated your old uniform, you might be tempted to have another look at those old school ties, jumpers etc. There is also a chance to pick up the Middle School bell and give it a ring for old times’ sake.

From 1923 to 1958, Halesworth children aged 5–15 attended the Halesworth Area School, at the site which is now Edgar Sewter Primary School. Those who passed the 11-plus exam had the opportunity to continue their education at Bungay or Beccles, and the rest left school and generally entered the work force.

In 1958, Halesworth Secondary Modern School opened its doors to 11–15-years-olds, on a site facing the Norwich Road. The former Halesworth Area School became Edgar Sewter Primary School, for children aged 5–11. As before, those who passed the 11-plus could go on to Bungay or Beccles.

In the 1970s, Suffolk introduced a three-tier system of education. In Halesworth, this meant children left Edgar Sewter Primary School at age 9, and moved to Halesworth Middle School – on the premises of the former Secondary Modern. At age 13, they transferred to high school in Bungay or Beccles without sitting an 11-plus exam.

Then in 2010, Suffolk reverted to a two-tier system. Edgar Sewter incorporated two extra year groups, so children could stay until they were 11, then their education moved out of Halesworth when they transferred to high school. Halesworth Middle School closed in 2012.

So, whether you were a schoolchild, a parent or indeed both during these years of educational change, why not come and jog your memories at the Museum? There will also be a reunion at the end of this month, so do book a place.

Schools Reunion Evening

Who is invited?
Former pupils of Halesworth Area School, Halesworth Middle School and Halesworth Secondary Modern School, and/or their parents

When is it?
Thursday 27 April, 6–8pm

Where is it?
Halesworth & District Museum

What does it cost?
It’s free, and there will be refreshments

Should I book a place?
Yes. Please email the Museum at office@halesworthmuseum.org.uk, using ‘Reunion’ as the title of your message

Floods past and future

A very different kind of memory will be evoked by another new display. In collaboration with the Ink Festival, Halesworth & District Museum is staging a multimedia focus on flooding – a perennial threat to those of us living in coastal East Anglia.

The Rising Waters display, opening this month, commemorates the disastrous events of 31 January 1953, when the worst floods in recorded history hit the east coast of Britain.

There was no warning, and people had little or no chance to escape from the relentless inundation. The cost, in both human and financial terms, was huge. Along the coasts of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, 307 people died. Farmers in East Anglia lost around 46,000 head of livestock. Nationally, more than 30,000 people were forced from their homes and almost 1,000 miles of coastline was seriously damaged.

Although many inland communities were devasted as the tide rushed across the land, Halesworth itself was not flooded on this occasion. Two Halesworth police officers joined the rescue efforts in Southwold and Walberswick. And local volunteers stepped forward to help with the massive clean-up. In Southwold, the worst of the damage was on Ferry Road, where a tidal wave swept along the River Blyth, destroying homes in its path. Five people in the town were killed – a mother and baby and three elderly women.

Before and after 1953, Halesworth has seen its share of flooding, albeit on a far less devastating scale. Many will remember the incongruous sight of people boating along The Thoroughfare, and the plight of traders trying to save their stock.

And, as the Rising Waters display points out, there are important questions to ask about the future, with the evidence of rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and sometimes bizarre weather conditions. More people live in our region now than in 1953. There are more houses near our coast, and the roads carry far more traffic.

It is now 70 years since the terrible of floods of 1953. How would we cope if they happened again?

Since at least the mid eighteenth century Halesworth has had a strong association with the watch and clockmaking industry.  One of the earliest recorded watchmakers, William Dowsing, can be found in the 1793-8 Universal British Directory.  He was born in Saxmundham in 1774.  Following his father’s death, he moved to Halesworth and secured premises for his watchmaking business in the Market Place (next to the Lincoln Family of Drapers). He traded there for over 50 years until his death in the 1850’s.

George Suggate, was also enumerated in the 1793 Universal Directory. Together with his son, George, they dominated the clock, watch and jewellery trade in Halesworth for almost a century.  George Suggate, Senior was born at Great Bealings Suffolk in 1720.  Soon after marrying Ann Holgate in 1742, he settled in Halesworth and established himself as a watchmaker.  The business flourished – as his advertisement in the Ipswich Journal in 1764, for ‘a good hand’ suggests.  After his death in 1807 his son George successfully continued his father’s trade until his own demise on the 5^th February 1844. George Suggate Junior owned and occupied the house and garden in the Thoroughfare, subsequently utilized by Lloyds Bank.  There is a wall clock in the Angel Hotel, Halesworth signed George Suggate.

John Johnson, who was born in 1781, first appears in Robson’s Directory as Watch & Clockmaker in 1839 and then in other directories until 1846 where he is listed in the Post Office Directory as trading in the Thoroughfare. However, there are also apprentice documents available which refer to a John Johnson, watchmaker of Halesworth two years earlier on the 6^th January 1779 which suggests his father also traded in Halesworth and died in 1789.  Recently several examples of John Johnson Senior’s work have been made available to purchase via auction.

Another early watchmaker in the town was, Framlingham born, Samuel Taylor, firstly listed in Halesworth in Pigot’s 1830 Directory.  The 1841 census informs us he traded in the Market Place.  However, his presence in the town was short lived because sometime before 1851 he returned to his hometown with his wife Rachel.

Peter Canova was born in Italy in 1796. By 1858 he had created his watchmaking and jewellery business in the Thoroughfare, Halesworth, with his Suffolk born wife Susanna.  Although they had four children, it was John his eldest son who took over the business when his father, Peter, died on the 3^rd December 1882.  The 1901 Census informs us they traded at 49 Thoroughfare, Halesworth.  John Canova died on the 30^th October 1906 age 62.

William Wigg was born in Wissett on the 5^th August 1818 and baptised at Halesworth Independent Church a year later. After his marriage in 1839 he established his watchmaking business in the Thoroughfare, Halesworth.  He continued trading there until his death in 1890 aged 72.

Nelson Wellington Newson was also a major watchmaker in Halesworth.  He was born to Stephen and Mary Newson in Chediston Street.  After training as a watchmaker, he acquired his own premises at 13 Thoroughfare, Halesworth.  By 1861 he had developed his skills further, describing himself on the Census as ‘Watchmaker, Silversmith, Jeweller.  He continued working in Halesworth until his death in 1904 aged 75.

Thomas John Parsons was born in Ballencollig, Cork, Ireland.  He trained as a watchmaker in Woolwich.  The 1881 Census informs us he was lodging at the Station Hotel, Bungay Road, Halesworth working as a watchmaker.  By 1891 he had moved to lodgings at 41 Chediston Street where he established himself as a watchmaker in his own right working from his own abode.  He continued to live and work in Chediston Street, remaining single, until his death in 1925.

Sutton Ashford was born in Saxtead, Suffolk in 1851.  After training in Stoke Newington, London he returned to Suffolk, married Louisa Simpson, and began working in Framlingham.  By 1900 he had established his own business at 8 London Road, Halesworth where he developed his business to include clock repair.  He died in 1924 age 74. 

This is a brief outline of the main watchmakers of Halesworth from the late eighteenth century until the mid 1920’s when Robert William Bishop appears to be the last watchmaker listed in Kelly’s Directory at 15 Thoroughfare.  The son of a Norfolk gardener, he established his business in Bungay before moving to Halesworth around 1911.  Further information on any of the watchmakers mentioned above can be found at the Halesworth Museum or ascertained on request via email:  office@halesworthmuseum.org.uk.

The museum will be grateful for any additional information regarding the watch and clockmakers of Halesworth, particularly photographs or images of any items made by these individuals.

Watch & Clock Makers of Halesworth sourced from Local Directories

These directories are available in the Museum’s Local History Room

1793 – Universal British Directory
William Dowsing
George Suggate

1823 – Pigot’s Directory
Robert Bullock
William Dowsing
George Suggate

1830 – Pigot’s Directory
William Dowsing
George Suggate
Samuel Taylor

1839 – Robson’s Directory
William Dowsing
John Johnson
John King
George Suggate
Samuel Taylor
William Wigg

1844 – Whites Directory
William Dowsing, Market Place
John Johnson, Thoroughfare
George Suggate, Thoroughfare
Samuel Taylor, Market Place
William Wigg, & Jeweller, Thoroughfare

1855 – Whites Directory
William Dowsing, Watchmaker
William Ellis (Cutler) Watchmaker
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker
William Wigg, Watchmaker

1858 – Suffolk Directory
Peter Canova, Jeweller, Thoroughfare
William Ellis, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
William Wigg, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare

1868 – Suffolk Directory
Peter Canova, Watch & Clock maker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watch & Clock maker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare
William Wigg, Watch & Clock maker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare

1879 – Post Office Directory
John Canova, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
William Wigg, Watch & Clockmaker, Thoroughfare

1885 – Post Office Directory
John Canova, Watchmaker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare & Southwold
Nelson Newson, Thoroughfare
Thomas John Parsons, Watchmaker, Pound Street (London Road)
William Wigg, Watchmaker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare

1892 – Kelly’s Directory
James Bishop, Watch & Clockmaker, Thoroughfare
John Canova, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Thomas Parsons, Watchmaker, Queen Street (Chediston Street)

1900 – Kelly’s Directory
Sutton Ashford, Watchmaker, London Road
John Canova, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Thomas Parsons, Watchmaker, Chediston Street

1904 – Kelly’s Directory
Sutton Ashford, Watchmaker, 8 London Road
Thomas Parsons, Watchmaker, 41 Chediston Street
Stanley John Wright, Watchmaker, 16 Station Road

1916 – Kelly’s Directory
Sutton Ashford, Watchmaker, 8 London Road
Robert William Bishop, Watchmaker, 15 Thoroughfare
Thomas Parsons, Watchmaker, 41 Chediston Street

1925 – Kelly’s Directory
Robert William Bishop, Watchmaker, 15 Thoroughfare

Spring 2023 display

Many years ago the Museum was able to save some of the memorabilia from Halesworth Middle School. It has been held in storage for many years and now that the Museum has additional display space we can exhibit some of it in a spring exhibitionn display.

A cornucopia of memorabilia from the former Halesworth Area School (now Edgar Sewter Primary School), Halesworth Middle School and Halesworth Secondary Modern School takes pride of place in one of our brand-new display cases. Together, these institutions represent nearly nine decades (1923–2012) of education for local children. They also provide a chronicle of educational reforms and reorganisations across much of the 20^th century.

On permanent display are the achievements boards on which many names of people still living in Halesworth and surrounding villages.

There are reminders of the secondary department of the Area School (now Edgar Sewter Primary School) and the Modern School.

When you visit the Museum you can record your reminiscences in our Memories File, if you wish.

The Museum will be having a Middle School Reunion on the evening of Thursday 27 April from 6pm to 8pm. To ensure that you get an invite email us at office@halesworthmuseum.org.uk with Reunion as the subject. You may also want to add some images and memories in your email.

Looking forward to your visit.

The “Near Blythburgh” Hoard

The “Spink Guide to Coins of England” describes Ancient British coins as “the most interesting and varied of all British coins.” This collection, discovered by a detectorist in 2018 gives Halesworth and District Museum a chance to own some fascinating and unique coins of national importance, but we need your help to achieve this. In this article we will explain what makes them so interesting and worthy of your support and what they tell us about Iron Age East Anglia.

These rare 19 gold coins are amongst some of the earliest coins to be produced in Britain. They are known as “staters” from the Greek meaning “weight” and is a term using to describe ancient coins. It is thought the Celts copied the idea from the ancient Greeks as there are stylistic similarities between the two. Historians believe initially gold coins were minted predominately as war money. They were used to pay troops, pay tribute and in diplomacy. Most people in Iron Age Britain still used barter for everyday trading, or were beginning to use the new low value base metal coins, but gold coins were something for the rich. They were minted by tribal leaders. Gold coins were likely thought of as the local “king’s” money. Recently an alternative view by numismatist John Talbot in a study of Iceni coinage, is that coins could have been used more for trade than had previously been thought. If this is the case these pioneering coins represent a beginnings of a monumental change in British society, the first move away from barter to a cash/coin based economy, something only in our own age, some 2000 years later, we are beginning to witness the end of.

The coins are thought to date from an 85 year period between 60BC to around 25AD. Most knowledge we do have about Britain at this time come from archeology and coins like these, as the only written records we have are fleeting references from Roman sources. The study of the coins identifies rulers and their tribal identity. Experts suggest that a few of these coins have a Kentish (Cantiaci) style to them but are minted by an unknown leader. Two of these coins are of a style or combination not seen before which even the British museum do not have examples of. The majority of the coins in this hoard are attributed or deeply influenced by, the “North Thames” area of the Trinovantes tribe of Essex and South Suffolk. It is thought the coins may reflect a period of unrest started by an invasion by the Cantiaci tribe into the Essex/Thames homelands of the Trinovantes. The Romans tell us at some point the Trinovantes moved their capital from Hertfordshire to what was to become Camulodunium (Colchester) during this period, which may suggest they took back the territory, maybe after some years. This Collection of coins also includes a number that were probably minted by the Iceni tribe of Norfolk and North Suffolk. How do we explain this strange collection of coins and how they ended up in Blythburgh?

One theory could be that Blythburgh and the river Blyth marked a shifting boundary at some point, or a trading or customs/toll post between the Icenian lands to the north and the Trinovantian lands to the south. Perhaps a soldier caught up in the fighting further south was paid in coin and returned home or was posted there. Perhaps they belonged to a rich Trinovantian or Icenian trader, or represented a nest-egg of the new currency. Maybe they were buried for safekeeping or hidden in a long disappeared dwelling and the owner either through conflict or disease never reclaimed them. We shall never know.

The style of these coins is like nothing that came afterwards. These coins have images of animals and strange symbols. Many of the coins contain hidden faces or eyebrows, wheels, plants and swirly patterns. Numismatist Robert Van Arsdell wrote “it is no secret that Celtic artists liked to hide faces in their artwork… The Celts had a fine appreciation for the surreal. They loved now you see it/now you don’t images, Cheshire cat faces appearing and disappearing, foregrounds that fade into backgrounds as new images leap to your attention. The art tied in with their religion, things are not what they seem, behind everyday scenes lurk unseen forces manipulating the action”. Chris Rudd, another expert on English iron age coins writes “Looking at these highly stylised faces with their almost childlike features, I cannot conceive that they are meant to represent human beings; indeed, in a few cases the faces look more like animals or birds. I think they are more plausibly regarded as “spirit faces” — otherworldly faces or Celtic deities or supernatural forces. I feel these human faces have a religious, mythological or magical meaning — a shadowy meaning that is unknown to us today and likely to remain unknowable”. How different these “Blythburgh” coins are from what came next, coins with the head of the leader on one side and a message or symbols on the back, which started with the Romans, and have continued into our own time. There are immense cultural differences on display. These coins give us a glimpse into a strange, very different and largely unknown past. You may like to see what hidden images you can see in these remarkable coins…

Coins 8 and 18. The mysterious “SS” Staters

  8.    18.

Nobody is sure what the double SS symbols meant although they are likely to refer to a local king or tribe. These coins are used to support the idea of the Cantiacian Kentish invasion of Essex as most of this type of coin have been found around Colchester and deeper into East Anglia. The horse image with “clumpy hoofs” is found in Kentish coins and not those of the Essex based Trinovantes tribe. Archaeologist Dr John Sills believes the “SS” may refer to the Segontiaci (meaning “people of the place of strength”) who were mentioned by the Romans as a tribe who surrendered to Julius Caesar in 54BC and suggests that this was the name the breakaway Kentish tribe gave themselves. You can see some hidden images in these coins such as possible faces, crescent moons, a wing motif (coin 18) and other patterns. It is thought these coins were minted between 60-25 BC.

Coins 5, 6, 7, 13-17. The Addedomarus Staters and Quarter Staters

 5.         6.  7.        13.  14.                15.

 16.         17.

Although unscribed, these coins are very similar to others that are that are scribed to one King Addedomarus. Who was King Addedomarus? We know next to nothing about him apart from the coins he minted. It is thought he was a king between 35 and 15 BC. The distribution of his coins suggest he was King of the Trinovantes in Essex although others have suggested he may also have ruled over the kingdom of the Catuvellauni to the west of Essex. His name possibly means “Addedo the Great” although others have suggested it means “Good with chariots”. We think he may have temporarily lost his kingdom to a character called Tasciovanus (‘Strong as a dog”) and that he had a son called Dubnovellaunus (“Killer of badgers’)

It is thought it may be Addedomarus who was buried in the Lexden Tumulus, the best known of many pre-Roman graves found in the Colchester area. Here, between 15 and 10BC, in a pit beneath a large, circular mound, a mature man was buried, surrounded by many luxurious objects of both Celtic and Roman origin. They included bronze figurines, a suit of chain mail, silverwork and goldwork, and a small medallion of the Roman emperor Augustus dated to between 19 and 15 BC – presumably a mark of Roman favour.

Coins 5, 6 and 7

All coins display the horse motif although Coin 7 is not struck properly but contains a wheel. There are also “hidden faces” within these coins. The obverse display a spiral type image (coins 5 and 6) and a crescent and cross (Coin 7). The spirals may contain flowers or grains of wheat or barley images (brewing?). The meaning of these images and patterns is obscure.

Coins 13-17

All these coins contain a daisy wheel/flower image, plus the normal horse images, with hidden faces and other possible symbols. Again the meaning of the flower and the other images is obscure

Coins 3-4, The Freckenham Cross Staters

3.        4.

Another example of a “Freckenham Cross” showing clearer image of “comet”

So named after a hoard of 90 gold coins found in Freckenham , West Suffolk in 1895, the cross referring to the symbols on one side of the coins. These are thought to be Iceni coins. The “cross” on Coin 3 seems more like a dotted “T” shape. Are these just patterns or what did they represent? Coin 3 displays some wonderful “hidden faces” and a mis-struck horse and more strange dots that look a little like a comet. This can be seen more clearly in the picture of a similar Freckenham cross coin. Interestingly Halley’s Comet was visible in 12BC and it is thought these coins were minted between 20BC-20AD. Coin 4 displays a horse a wheel and more hidden faces. Most interesting is the image emerging above the horse’s back. Is it a face with a crown, or perhaps the sun or fragments of writing?

Coins 9-10 The “Mossop Mystery” Quarter Staters

 9.         10.

Named after Henry Mossop a noted collector and numismatist who was the first to identify this type of coin. These are excessively rare: There is one in the British Museum and another found near Bungay was sold in 2015. The reverse of this coin is different to the one in the British Museum. They are thought to date from about 20 BC to 20AD, and that they were a small local issue. The Mossop Mystery has an S-shape between its two crosses above a horse. The other side of the coin has eyebrow patterns or two crescents, or maybe it’s part of a wider ‘face”. Nobody is sure which is why they have the “mystery” tag attached to them.

Coin 11 The “Mildenhall Mystery” Quarter Stater

 11.

This is a very rare coin, there is only one other known example found at Mildenhall. Even the British Museum has no example of this coin. A horse is surrounded by multiple pellets and the design on the other side of the coin is obscure, but faces, “eyebrows” and other patterns can be distinguished. It is thought to date to between 20BC-20AD.

1801 PRIVATE BERTIE RICHARD CALVER
‘C’ COMPANY 1/4^TH BATTALION SUFFOLK REGIMENT (T.F.)
KILLED IN ACTION
26^TH AUGUST 1915
AGED 18 YEARS

Born in Halesworth on the 9^th October 1896, Bertie was the third child of a family that would eventually reach a total of eight children.  His father Charles and mother Mary (née Clarke) ran a small fruiterers’ and market garden business in the town.  By 1911 the family had grown so large that they occupied two of the small four room cottages situated near the far end of Chediston Street in an area known as Rumsby’s Yard.  On leaving school in 1910 Bertie found employment at Mr Leckenby’s boot factory in Quay Street.  Described as a lad full of spirit, in late 1913 he followed his elder brother Hubert into enlisting in the town’s Territorials serving as No.1801 private soldier in ‘F’ Company at the age of seventeen years.  Like many of his pals, including his brother in ‘F’ Company, after the outbreak of war in August 1914 he signed the Imperial Service Pledge thereby volunteering to serve overseas around the time of his eighteenth birthday. 

Barely four months later they were preparing to cross to France when it was realised that the pre-war regulations still applied which meant the youngest age a soldier could travel overseas was nineteen years, it is said that the night before the 4^th Suffolks sailed on the 8^th November 1914 there were several men who celebrated their nineteenth birthdays Bertie being just one.  For the 1/4^th Suffolks the following few months consisted of further training and gaining front line experience where they became involved in a number of minor engagements as they prepared for their first major action.  This would come during the battle of Neuve Chapelle between the 10^th and 13^th March 1915.  Bertie was not present as on the 5^th March 1915 he had been struck down with tonsillitis and had been admitted to the Canadian Field Hospital where he remained until the 17^th May after which he re-joined his battalion.  During his time away as well as the Neuve Chapelle action, the 1/4^th Suffolks had also fought during the battle of Aubers Ridge.  Their combined losses for both of these in Officers and Men amounted to well over three hundred all ranks being killed and wounded. 

Within six weeks of Bertie’s return to the 1/4^th Suffolks, the Regimental history, which was first published in 1927, records that on the 21^st June 1915, whilst the Battalion were still serving in the front line, they had been bombarded by a battery of German heavy artillery, during which one Officer and four Other Ranks had been killed, with a further three soldiers receiving wounds.  One of these had been Bertie, who had been grazed by a shell splinter to his lower stomach, for which he had been admitted into the 20^th British Field Ambulance and discharged two days later.

On 10^th July Bertie would have been present at a parade outside the town of Estaires when the Divisional Commander, Major General Keary, presented the ribbons of Gallantry medals to those of the battalion who had been awarded for their part in the battle of the previous March.  Like all the lads from Halesworth he no doubt would have been particularly proud of Percy Sones, as he had the ribbon of the Distinguished Conduct Medal pinned to his chest.  Just over a month later Bertie would be dead.  In a letter sent to his parents shortly after by the then ‘C’ Company Commander, Captain W.G. Tollemarche, expressing sympathy “for the loss of a very popular lad”, he mentioned that Bertie’s death was instantaneous.  This, combined with the fact that he was the only loss to the battalion on that day, could point to the fact that he had been shot by a German sniper or struck by a stray bullet, having attempted to look over the top of the trench.  After his death his comrades would have given him a field burial and sometime later his remains may have been transported to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery Cabaret-Rouge, outside the town of Souchez, France, where he now lies at rest.

After his death, his mother Mary having been nominated as his next of kin, received War Gratuities in the total of £8.10.4d (£8.52p) and a weekly pension of 5/- (25p).  She would also have received his medal awards of the 1914 Star Trio, Memorial Plaque and Scroll.

The present location of these is unknown.

Field Service Postcard sent to Bertie’s mum Mary by his older brother 1523 Private Hubert Calver 1/4^th Bn, Suffolk Regiment on the 1^st March 1915.

The existing building was built about 1901 after the previous building, together with the boot factory at the back of the building. Not only were these two buildings a number of cottages were also burnt.

MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS, TAKE A BOW

The Halesworth and District Museum was one of six finalists in the Suffolk Museum of the Year Awards announced in Ipswich on 21 October. Not bad considering how small a museum we are.  There were over 30 entrants and we came away, not winner (that’s next year!), but a well-appreciated runner-up. All that’s down to our terrific team of volunteers. Take a bow all of you.

We also have to give a great big thankyou to the team of very willing volunteers who turned up at the Museum on the 14th, rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in to the task of clearing our store room for the next new development in the Museum’s life . Thanks to their energy and willingness, the task was completed in a fraction of the time we’d allowed. Many thanks.

That move will allow us to start work on the next exciting phase in the Museum’s life, the creation of a Research Room where people will be able to come and pursue their interests in local history and family history. There will be computer access to lots of resources as well as the opportunity to use the extensive research collection of books, notes and photographs which the Museum has built up over the years. So watch this space for further news. In the meantime, the space gained gives us a chance to put on public display for the first time, some of the Museum’s extensive collection of historical pictures.

Thanks to our ever-supportive team of volunteers, we’ve taken the bold step this year of maintaining our summer opening times into the winter, doubling the number of hours. So until Friday 13 December, when we close for our ‘winter recess’, we shall still be open Tuesday to Saturday mornings, 10.00 – 12.30.

This year, we plan a Thankyou Tea for all our Volunteers and Friends, without whom none of this would be possible. Make a note in your diary if you’re one of our ‘Ring of Support’ and keep the afternoon of Saturday 23 November free. You’ll be hearing more from us.

And if there’s anyone out there wishing they were part of this award-winning team, do pop in and see us at the Museum or ring Brian Howard on 01986 875551 for a chat. There’s still room on the bus.