September 2012

NEWS AND THANK’S FROM HALESWORTH MUSEUM

Community News September 2012

NEWS AND THANKS FROM HALESWORTH MUSEUM

It’s a big month for thank yous from the Museum.

First, and most important, the big news this month is that, thanks to the efforts and generosity of local people and several substantial grants, we are now in a position to go ahead with the purchase for the Museum of the two Bronze Age hoards recently unearthed in Wissett. It is going to be really exciting to bring them back to the area. We haven’t finished yet, however. We are still trying to raise enough money to preserve them properly and to put them on display in a way that will bring out their meaning and significance and at the same time be exciting for local people –and in particular local children. So there’s still need for some more local cash if you’re disposed to help. Just contact the Campaign Manager, Brian Howard.

Very many thanks also to everyone who has been to see our exhibition ‘Sporting Halesworth’, which closed on 2 September after its five-week run in the Library. We’ve received many helpful, kind and encouraging comments. Our particular thanks also to the staff at the Library who have been keen to encourage this further link with the Museum.

It’s been a good month for gifts to the Museum. We received a fascinating little book belonging to Gorge Dipson of Westhall, who used it first for his school calculations and then, much later, from 1870, for his farm accounts, giving lots of fine detail about farming at the time in the area. Then we received a beautiful Victorian watch movement bearing the engraved name of the watchmaker, the grandly christened Nelson Wellington Newson, who was a watchmaker at 13 The Thoroughfare, from 1858 to 1902.

Another fine gift was a silver cup awarded in 1931 to Mrs Gwendoline Youngman (née Rumsey) when she won the Hospital Dance Waltz Competition, put on in aid of the Patrick Stead Hospital. It’s yet another reminder of how large a part the Hospital has played in the life of the town, with so many social and sporting events staged over the years in its name.

Finally, don’t forget there’s still time, before the memory fades, to see the Museum’s Jubilee Year exhibition on Halesworth’s past celebrations of royal Jubilees and Coronations. Until the end of September we’re open up at the Station, Tues.-Sat. 10.00-12.30.