May 2019

Dear Member,

Is it just me, or did May come up fast? I hope this newsletter finds you well and looking forward to the gorgeous summer weather as much as I am! As you’ve read in my numerous emails, PMF has quite a few events coming up over the next few months, starting with G&Ts in the Garden on May 23. I would love for you to join me in making the perfect cocktail while taking in the beauty of Scaplen’s Court Garden. Sponsored by Conker Gin and Dorset Tea, this is sure to be one tasty evening! To get your tickets, simply call or email me (see below).

Current Exhibition:

I would love to hear what events YOU would like to see the Foundation 18 May-29 September: put on in the future. Members like you are the backbone of the Henry Lamb: Out of Foundation, and it would be great to get your feedback. the Shadows

The next time you find yourself in the museum, please don’t be shy! I’m always happy to have a chat in the café over a cup of coffee and would love to get you know you better! Please feel free to get in touch anytime Important Dates at a by emailing [email protected] or call me on 01202 262 Glance: 607. I look forward to seeing you soon at our brilliant summer events!

17 May: Private Exhibition View Kind Regards,

Christine 23 May: G&Ts in the Garden

7 June: Archibald Knox, jardinière designed for Liberty & Co and modelled and made by Carter & Co, Poole- now on display on Floor 3! Henry Lamb

Fundraising Dinner at Archibald Knox (1864-1933) is the most Sandbanks Hotel celebrated of Liberty’s designers, and produced a significant number of designs for the company for products in a range of materials in the early 15 July: years of the 20th century. He designed a series Members Exclusive of garden wares which were modelled by Garden Party and James Radley Young, head of the design Private Henry Lamb: department at Carter & Co, Poole, and made in Out of the Shadows terracotta. It was James Radley Young who gave the main impetus for the development of Exhibition View modern design in Carter’s pottery, and who also worked with Roger Fry and Vanessa Bell to 17 September: produce wares for the Omega Workshop. Young Curator Review was designing unglazed wares at the time and his approach may have in turn influenced 25 October: Knox’s designs for Carter’s. VIP Guest Lecturer

and Private Victoria We have been steadily making new acquisitions over recent years, particularly since we and Albert: Our Life in acquired a significant number of pieces at Watercolour Exhibition auction from the Poole Pottery Museum auction View when it closed down in 2002. This is the best piece that has appeared on the market. By their 9 December: nature these garden wares are rare and often in Members Exclusive poor condition. This is a beautiful piece and in Christmas Party good condition in the circumstances. The piece was made in Poole, some 300 yards from Poole Museum, and it is very fitting that it can have a permanent home in the museum.

May 2019

Guest Author

BOAC, where it all began

The Blue plaque is on the left sidewall of Poole Museum

In 1939 operations were transferred from Hythe () to Poole Dorset, as it was thought that the latter would be less likely to suffer from German bomber attacks than Southampton. The two existing , and were merged to form British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and the state-owned British established in April 1940. The rationale behind the nationalization was that during the war the new airline would be operated directly under the auspices of the Secretary of State for Air. Initially as the transport service for the

RAF, with no requirement to act commercially. Sir John Reith, who was Chairman of Imperial Airways and then BOAC until January 1940, laid down the ethos that service to the public rather than profits and dividends should be the driving force for the airline. It operated the only regular civilian flights throughout World War Two and for three years afterwards. The airline connected Britain with its colonies and former dependencies around the world, including South Africa, India, and . In September 2017 a small group of local enthusiasts, myself included, witnessed the Mayor of Poole unveil a blue plaque depicting an Empire Flying Boat. The ceremony took place at Poole Museum, the current occupant of the building, which hosted the airline's former headquarters. Captain Bill Lock, a flying boat pilot, now honorary vice-president of the voluntary group Poole Flying Boats Celebration, attended the unveiling. I have lived in Poole all my life and before the unveiling was never aware that BOAC’s first operational building, my first company, was ‘just round the corner’. It was gifted by local heritage charity Poole Flying Boats Celebration that aims to raise awareness of Poole's civil and military flying-boat heritage. Hence my interest in Poole Museum Foundation. Throughout the war and until 1948, BOAC became the towns’ largest employer with over 600 staff supporting their various flight crews and the Flying Boat services. Up to 24 of its passenger Flying Boats were based in the Harbour.

Continued >

May 2019

Its Marine Department had 60 more staff operating 12 high speed launches used to convey flight crews, passengers, mail and freight from Poole Quay and the Marine Terminal to the Flying Boats. There was another fleet of 14 fast launches used for Water Control - operated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and maintained by the British Power Boat Company with its Poole base in West Quay Rd. These marked out runways, and kept them clear of all obstructions. In April 1948 services returned to

Southampton.

Speedbird Logo & Call Sign Devised by graphic artist Theyre Lee-Elliot, the famous ‘’ Logo first appeared for the Imperial Airways Limited (IAL) in 1938. With the creation of BOAC as its successor the Logo and matching ‘Speedbird’ Call Sign became synonymous with all its operations. The design was popular throughout its time at Poole, and even retained on camouflaged aircraft. It is still used as the call sign for all British Airways aircraft.

The present day This year marks the centenary of British Airways. On August 25, 1919, British Airways forerunner company Aircraft and Travel Limited (AT&T) launched the world's first daily international scheduled flight between and . Later services were launched by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and , which merged 45 years ago to form British Airways. To mark the occasion BA have painted a 747-400 in the former BOAC livery. I think it still looks very elegant!

Peter Dobson ex BOAC & BA, Poole Museum Foundation Trustee

“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” Board of Trustees

—William James Felicity Irwin DL (chair) Big or small, every gift in a Will we receive helps to support our mission to Peter Burt John Butterworth preserve, protect and share Poole’s amazing heritage. For more information Prof. Timothy Darvill OBE Samantha Tuck on how you can leave the gift of a lifetime, please contact me by telephone Peter Dobson at 01202 262 607 or email [email protected] Prof. Emma Hunt Simon Jenner