SEPTEMBER 2009
Greetings to our loyal supporters!
We are nearly at the end of another extremely successful season - we close our doors for the winter on Sunday 25th October. At the time of writing our numbers are up, our revenue from refreshments is very healthy and the shop goes from strength to strength! Hopefully you have paid a visit to the Museum this year to see our exhibition covering the Centenary of the Spa Pavilion. If you have missed it please try to get down before the season closes.
After the tremendous work that Sue Tod and Ann Trewick have put in over the last eighteen months we have finally received the news that we are now an Accredited museum. Every congratulation should be given to this extremely hard working pair. This status has been given to us by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). To qualify museums must meet nationally agreed standards on how they care for and document their collections, how they are governed and managed and on the information and services they offer to their users. Well done ladies!
A FULL YEAR!
There was a pre-season workshop dealing with health and safety issues, the fire policy and the Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy. This is all necessary in the current climate and part of our accreditation process.
We had a slow start to the season, even with Easter being quite late, but that was soon behind us with good attendance figures from then on. (We are hoping to break our record this year!)
We said our goodbyes to John Fairclough, our Museum advisor for many years. He was a considerable pillar of support and strength and will surely be missed. Jayne Austin has stepped comfortably into his shoes and has quickly built up a fine working relationship with Ann and Sue. She was recommended by John!
The project with Maritime Heritage East came to a successful end and we would like to thank the staff and students of
Another real stalwart of the Museum died. Alan Lockwood was a very important member, who spent hours dedicating himself to the Museum and its needs. His particular expertise was meetings and he represented the Museum on many occasions. Although much of his work went unnoticed he was a vital part in making the Museum the success that it is to-day.
A Conservation Workshop was held for volunteers in May and although not the most successful venture some interesting ideas came out of this.
On the 2nd May the Museum manned a stall at the Felixstowe Learning Initiative and on 13th May we had the official unveiling of the Dock Clock in the Beehive room. The book sale over the Whitsun weekend, very ably organised by Colin Tod, raised £272.25 for Museum funds.
7th June saw us hosting a collection of cars from the Lotus Car Club.
A really major event was staged at the Museum on 13th June when we hosted a special day for the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust. A plaque was unveiled at the Viewing Point and then a reception for over 130 invited people was held in the Museum. A very moving, but satisfactory day, which brought great credit to the Museum and its volunteers.
Farthing's Funeral Directors replaced the coffin that had been damaged with a fine specimen obviously meant for someone rather special! Our thanks to them for their generosity.
On 4th and 5th July Felixstroll took place with an opportunity to walk from the Ferry to Landguard Point. To help support this event we mounted a display of Felixstowe Flood photographs.
11th July saw Pam and Graham Peachey man a stall at the 70th Anniversary celebrations at RAF Wattisham and on 16th August we hosted an extremely successful Vintage Car Rally with the help of the Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club. Public, the Museum and vehicle club members were delighted with the event, which hopefully will become a regular feature of our year.
Behind the scenes our archivists were working to obtain items from
We had a visit from the Suffolk Constabulary with regards to safety issues and their report has been accessed by the committee who have made certain suggestions, many to English Heritage to implement.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
On Sunday 18th October we will be manning a stall at the Lions Steam Day at the Felixstowe Leisure Centre.
We start our winter series of talks on Wednesday 21st October when local personality, Captain Roger Jenkins, tells us about some his experiences captaining a ship in the Falklands War.
Wednesday 18th November sees our secretary, Phil Hadwen talking to us about the History of the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe. This should be a popular talk so make sure you arrive early to get a seat!
Our Christmas meal and social evening, complete with a quick quiz will be held at the Brook Hotel on Tuesday 15th December. If you want a pre Christmas treat then contact Colin Tod at the Museum to book your place. Price £12-50
In the New Year,
A respected member, Mike McKeon, will tell us about Smuggling in
Our AGM and quiz are on Wednesday 17th March and Ian Heeley will complete his History of the
We hold our speaker meetings in the
VOLUNTEERS
We are always on the look out for more volunteers as we are all getting older by the year! If you feel you can help at some stage on Sundays or Wednesday afternoons from April until the end of October or on a few Sundays during the winter please contact us on 01394674355 or e-mail felmuseum@btopenworld.com.
Any help would really be appreciated.
NEW MEMBERS
We would like to increase our numbers over the next few years so please try to persuade your friends, neighbours or even your relatives to join us. Remember every person and every penny counts!