The Friends of Museums

A Brief History 1949-1999 By Len Drinkell

PUBLIC MEETING was held at the Town was the Mayor Councillor Dansie, and it is Hall on Tuesday, 30th November 1948 pleasing to note that every Mayor since has Aunder the chairmanship of the Mayor kindly agreed to support and help the Friends of Colchester, Councillor Leonard Dansie, who as President during their year of office. Officers explained that over a long period many people elected were Hon. Secretary, Mr. Duncan W. Clark and Hon.Treasurer, Mr. J. F.Elam, had suggested that a Society of Friends of together with a committee of 16 members. Colchester and East Museum should be formed.After much discussion, it was proposed The First General Meeting was held at the by the Right Reverend the Bishop of on 19th May 1949. 100 “Friends” and Colchester seconded by Alderman Christopher visitors attended and were welcomed by the Jolly and resolved unanimously that a society Mayor and Mayoress. Mr. M. R. Hull, Curator, called “The Friends of Colchester and East gave a brief account of the foundation and Essex Museum and Art Gallery” be formed. history of the Museum.The Reverend Montagu Benton, Hon. Secretary of The Essex It was a wonderful start for the society to be Archaeological Society presented to the Mayor, led by two such distinguished and respected as a first acquisition, two original blocks for characters of the town. Bishop Dudley book plates used by the old Castle Society. (See Narborough, seen in gaiters and always brightly the logo on the front cover). One of these it polished shoes, hands clasped behind his back was noted, was engraved by Edward Ladell, so accentuating the wide expanse of purple the well-known Colchester painter who died waistcoat, and Alderman Jolly, chairman of the in 1886. Library Committee and crack engine driver of the huge main line steam locomotives working The first Committee Meeting was held at the between Norwich and Liverpool Street! Town Hall on Monday 28th March 1949. Councillor Dansie became the first chairman It was also resolved that an ad hoc committee and remained so for the next 28 years until his consisting of the the Bishop of Colchester, death in 1975. He also served as chairman of Colonel R. J.Appleby, John Bensusan Butt, the Museum and Muniments Committee of Duncan W.Clark and Dr. Penry Rowland be Colchester Borough Council for some 30 empowered to draft rules and recommend years, and must surely be considered the officers etc.This duly took place on 14th leading light in developing Colchester’s December 1948 when draft Rules were museums and cultural heritage during the submitted and after revision recommended for post-war years. adoption at the next General Meeting.This took place at the Town Hall on Tuesday, 1st Alderman Dansie was succeeded by Mr. John March 1949, with the Mayor of Colchester, Bensusan Butt, the acknowledged authority on Councillor Leonard Dansie in the chair.The Georgian Colchester and a staunch supporter Draft Rules were considered clause by clause, of the Art and Culture of the Town, particularly amendments made, including the reduction of the development of The Minories Art Gallery, the minimum subscription from 10/6 to 5/-. his former home. It was agreed that persons joining the Society before 31st March 1949, should be termed John retired in 1987 to be followed by our “Founder Members”.The first President elected current chairman, Mr.Andrew Phillips,

Page 1 Colchester’s present day “Mr. History”.Andrew the cost of displaying the splendid brought to the Society a great enthusiasm for Middleborough Mosaic in the Castle. Barbara all things historical.A professional historian, was also responsible for The Castle Appeal recently retired from the position of Head of Fund.When she was appointed the “Friends” Humanities at The Colchester Institute, we funds were under £1,500, but she retires cannot but succeed with a person of his calibre knowing that just over £10,000 is in the kitty. at the helm. Our first Secretary was Mr. Duncan W.Clark, The Society's first treasurer was Mr J. F.Elam, a senior partner in Messrs. Duncan Clark & then headmaster of The Colchester Royal Beckett, the Colchester architects. During his Grammar School. Serving for only three years, long career he designed The Colchester War he retained a keen interest in The Friends and Memorial and also the new church at Little Colchester’s cultural heritage right up to his Horkesley.A delightful character, Mr. Clark was recent death. He encouraged his pupils to in office for nearly ten years until his death in participate in several projects undertaken by February, 1958. Mr. Len Drinkell was his the Society. He was also instrumental in successor and remained so until retiring some commissioning and donating to the museum thirty years later in 1988. Mr. John Trent taking archives the Eric Richards Collection of over, but in 1993 resigned due to business photographic slides of post-war Colchester.The and family commitments. Mr. Patrick Denney next treasurer, Mr. C. McLeish, was only able becoming our current secretary. John and to help for one year, to be followed in 1953 by Patrick masterminded the very successful series Mr. Bernard Mason.Throughout the next of ‘Themed’ lectures which have been such a twenty years, the financial affairs were in very feature of recent years and helped to boost sure hands, correct to the last halfpenny! membership to nearly 400. Nearly every year there was some item donated or some documents reproduced by HE SUCCESSFUL launch of The Friends Mr. Mason, including the silver model of the of Colchester Museums and Art obelisk mile stone, now part of the town TGalleries was due to four people - regalia and the magnificent gift to the Town of Councillor Leonard Dansie, Mr. J. F.Elam, “Tymperleys” together with The Bernard Mr. Duncan Clark and Mr. Bernard Mason. Mason Collection of Colchester Clocks and However, the original list of founder members Watches. shows the impressive support given to the venture. In 1973, it was difficult to find Mr. Mason’s successor but after some persuasion, the office Over the last fifty years we have had a very was accepted on a temporary basis by Mrs. supportive, knowledgeable and active Barbara Napper. Now after 25 years, Barbara committee. It is not possible to mention every has decided to retire! Some of the more promi- member, but stalwarts include Tony Doncaster, nent acquisitions during her stewardship Leonard Gant, Kenneth Mabbitt and Mrs. include, the Smythe Screen, the Taylor pedestal Edna Swan. card table, a delightful John Vine watercolour of the Phillips children, the important 18th The first Annual Report tells us “if activities Century watercolour of North Gate by have not been ambitious they may fairly claim to Edward Eyre, and a donation of £1500 towards have been highly successful. It is felt that the funds of

Page 2 the Society should not be expended in the purchase of Mary Honywood at the age of 93 and of minor objects and that it would be better to wait leaving a descendant for each day of the year until an opportunity arose of acquiring works of plus two over! Mr. Bernard Mason presented exceptional importance.” Our first was the the Sanctus Bell dated 1591 from East Bergholt beautiful 15th Century silver brooch purchased Church, cast by Colchester bell-founder from a local clergyman for £5! The other Richard Bowler.We were also able to purchase acquisitions in that first year were two 17th for £11.12.0 a fine Worcester porcelain plate Century double-handed Tygs given by Mr. R. with a view of Colchester Castle. Simkin and the fine collection of caddy spoons bequeathed by the late Mr. H.W.Lewer, Our first picture was a watercolour of St. former treasurer of the Essex Archaeological Botolph’s Street and Mersea Road (c.1790), Society. by James Dunthorne junior and purchased for £8.10.0. Other pictures include a Frank Sadly two years later we read “consideration Daniell portrait of Charles Benham; a collection given to purchase of a watercolour of St. Botolph’s by of original drawings and caricatures by Sir Michael Angelo Rocker ARA - but price too high”! Gurney Benham; two watercolour sketches by Mary Benham of costumes for Colchester The objects of the Society are : Pageant; Major Bale’s watercolour of St. “To stimulate interest in the Museum and Art Nicholas Church; a delightful painting, dated Galleries by Meetings and Lectures and to 1844, by John Vine the arm-less artist, of the promote a fuller knowledge of their contents. Phillips Children who lived at Spring House, To further the work and well-being of the Museums , purchased jointly with the Borough and Art Galleries by: Council for £500; watercolour of Castle Park a) The acquisition of objects of interest and works of by Tom Simpson;a modern painting of the Art. Castle by Bill Burton; the important 18th b) Assisting,where practicable, in the expansion of the Century watercolour of old North Gate,by Museums and Art Galleries and the development of Edward Eyre, bought for £1450, to join the the Castle. painting of East Bridge, by the same artist, c) The promotion of special exhibitions. purchased by the Council, cleaned and d) To encourage and foster in the younger remounted by the “Friends.” generation the study of Local History,Archaeology and the Arts.” The collection of John Constable Life Drawings was remounted and we also cleaned and Over the last fifty years members have been renovated the pair of Frank Daniell paintings quite successful in maintaining those objects. of the Blue Coat School Boy and Girl, leading Nothing spectacular, perhaps, but apart from to the identification of the girl as Miss Cardy. the early disappointment just mentioned, we have managed to meet the calls made upon us. Do you know why Roddam Close is so named? Older “Friends” can tell you, because HE EARLY DAYS saw the acquisition of in 1954, one member Mr.V.Palles-Clark dug three panels of heraldic stained glass up in his garden the cast iron name plate of Tfrom Marks Hall, ; more Dr. Roddam, who lived in “St. Mary's Lodge” relics of the Honywood Family to join the which was demolished to make way for tombstone at Holly Trees recording the death Roddam Close and Vint Crescent.

Page 3 Another well known town doctor was Penry Rowland, whose residence and surgery was in Wellesley Road.A delightful character and founder member, always donating some unusual item remembered best for his collection of French Prisoner of War Relics - some twenty items of straw marquetry and over twenty made from bone, including a working model of a Guillotine, with basket and decapitated head.

In 1956, Mr. Eric Calvert gave a silver punch ladle, hallmarked 1723 made by Colchester silversmith Richard Hutchinson - the first piece of local work in the Town Regalia.The only other piece known at the time was a tankard sold at Sothebys in 1936 and traced by Mr. Calvert to New York.The Borough Council bought it with the help of a grant from the National Arts Collection Fund. In 1962, a George I chocolate pot dated 1719, was purchased by the Council for £945, with £372 Mr. Len Drinkell with the Guillotine from our funds and a further contribution from made from bone by prisoners of war. the National Arts Fund.

Mr. Bernard Mason, Mr.Len Drinkell with the Mayor of Colchester, Brigadier J. F.Panton holding the George I silver Chocolate Pot.

Page 4 High Street has changed in recent years, but an Gant, in memory of her husband, the late Mr. earlier example of change was the demolition Leonard Gant. Mr Gant was a very active in 1960 of Joslins’ old premises at 108 and 109 “Friend”, the last compiler of “Important for the new Tesco Stores.The medieval building Dates” printed in Benham’s Directory. Many contained a fine 17th Century moulded plaster will remember the “Leonardo da Vinci ceiling, which, under the eagle eye of Mr. Madonna Appeal”- we gave five guineas. Bernard Mason, was carefully dismantled and re-erected in Holly Trees as a memorial to our In 1973, £100 was given to the Castle first secretary, the late Mr. Duncan Clark. How Museum and Excavation Committee to help do you remove a heavy plaster ceiling? Saw it provide a comprehensive photographic record into suitable size sections and wheel it down to and in 1991 £400 given to the Natural History your new site! Museum towards the cost of producing sound tracks of Bird Song for the new displays.We We splashed out in 1956, spending £72 on a also donated £1500 towards cost of displaying silver coin of Cunobelin (only one other was the Middleborough Mosaic in the Castle, and known) and just over £11 for a few coins from we partook in the scheme by Councillor Paul The Lockett Collection. In 1994 we donated Spendlove in 1983 by purchasing the year 1949 £250 towards the acquisition of the Woodham in “The Save the Castle Appeal”. Walter Hoard of Coins bought by the Museum for £4389.A bronze seal of Lord Marney was As our contribution to Architectural Heritage dug up at St. Osyth and purchased for £20 and Year in 1976 we undertook the refurbishment a brass Oyster Gauge cost us £30.The forged of the Wire Obelisk in Colchester Cemetery. Irish bank note given the same year was not Originally the 51st Milestone from London, much use to our funds! A silver Consular designed by James Dean in 1760, sold by Denarius (c.129BC) found at St. Helena auction in 1858 for 65/- and bought by School, was presented by the headmaster and Charles Wire as a memorial to his wife.The Mayor, Councillor H. Hepburn Reid.We have work was carried out by L. J.Watts Ltd. received two legacies, £100 from the late Mrs Maud Howe and £500 left by the late Miss The following year the we gave £100 to East Margaret Lazell. Hill Association towards cost of renovating the Drinking Fountain at the top of the hill and in £25 was spent on collating and binding The 1962, we allowed the Minories Trustees £50 Rickword Papers, a fascinating record of local for repairs to the Gothic Summer House. history and gossip compiled by the late Gerald Rickword, and passed on to the Reference From the report of the first 25 years, “in the Library.The Philip Laver/Harry Barton Holly Trees is a fascinating collection of 18th Century collection of some 300 Essex and Heraldic and later bygones and a fine costume gallery, but Book Plates was purchased for £5 and later unfortunately, very little furniture. However, in May exhibited at the Minories in a display arranged 1962, the Curator, Mr. David Clarke, outlined a by John Bensusan-Butt.An Account Book of scheme for furnishing one or two rooms at Holly Fynches Charity, covering the period 1685 to Trees.” Our first acquisition under this scheme 1835, was bought for £46 our share being was a lacquered corner wall cabinet (c.1730) £25.A manuscript history of Berechurch and made by Simon Verlander.We had already other similar items were presented by Mrs. J. helped to buy in 1965 a mahogany Pembroke

Page 5 table (c.1800) made by John Taylor of 40 High Annual Service in the 17th Century Chapel Street, and in 1981 a mahogany pedestal card at Walpole, Halesworth; the wonderful wood table, also by Taylor, was purchased in carvings in Dennington Church; and partnership with the Council for £800.Two fascinating visits to Southend-on-Sea and years later, an antique wheel barometer in a Great Yarmouth. mahogany case by P.Aggeo cost £340 and a 19th Century walnut stool from G. Rickword We have also been privileged to see many and Sons cost £34, again the purchases made historic houses and mansions - Sawston Hall, in partnership with the Borough Council. 1978 Cambridgeshire, home of the Huddlestone saw one of our major contributions, when the family; the Walthams and “Langleys” by Town bought The Smithe Screen for £3500. courtesy of Mr. John Tufnell; Hengrave Hall Our donation being £750, a grant of £1000 by kind permission of the Sister Superior; New from the National Arts Fund and the balance Park,Wivenhoe, by invitation of Mr. C. M. D. of £1750 paid by the Council. Gooch; Helmingham Hall with Lord and Lady Tollemache;Worlingham Hall to be welcomed The Fiftieth Annual Report gives a list of items by Viscount Colville Culross, where, despite donated over the years, but is not complete.At warnings by the Viscount,the driver of the a conservative estimate well over 700 articles coach managed to sink it up to its axles in the have been passed to the four museums, the soft ground and we had the added spectacle of Local Studies Centre or the Essex Records heavy lifting gear to put it back on the road.A Office. It is amazing what things have come to delightful excursion to “Felbrigg Hall”, Norfolk, light, but two items must be mentioned. One just before it was taken over by The National favourite is the Victorian Baker’s hand cart from Trust.Arranged by Mrs P.E. C. Brown, who Wivenhoe, presented by Mr.W.C. Cracknell knew the house well from her childhood days, in 1970, when he was chairman of Wivenhoe she was able to show the secret door in the Urban District Council.The cart was duly library and other fascinating details.We had renovated by the “Friends”.The other gift is a afternoon tea served on genuine old Derby Second World War gas mask complete with its porcelain plates. Roos Hall, Beccles by courtesy original cardboard box.According to the donor of Mr. H.W. Suckling; South and North the mask was regularly used by her late husband Lopham then to the Brandon factory of J.W. once or twice each year, “when he was shredding Walker, the famous organ builders; Kings horse radish roots for making sauce!” School, Ely, Prior Crudens Chapel and the Cathedral; Belchamp Hall and Glazenwood. XCURSIONS to places of interest have been popular and some 70/80 have London excursions have included The Russian Ebeen arranged during the past 50 years. Cathedral to be welcomed by His Grace the The first, on 5th October 1950 was to most Reverend Anthony Bloom; the V & A Norwich where we were received by the Lord Museum by personal invitation of the Director Mayor.Visits have been made to many other Sir Trenchard Cox; Bethnal Green Museum; towns and villages in East Anglia. Bury St. Sir John Soane Museum and The Overlord Edmunds for the Pageant of ; Embroidery;Whitbread Brewery;Waltham Saffron Walden and Engelmann’s Carnation Abbey and the Pinto Collection of Wooden Nurseries; Otley Church and hall; Framsden Byegones, Northwood; the Whitechapel Bell Farm and the meadow of fritillaries; the continued on page 11

Page 6 The Phillips Children, painted by local disabled artist John Vine, mentioned on pages 2 and 3.

East Bridge, painted by Edward Eyre, forming a pair with North Gate, by the same artist. See pages 2 and 3.

Page 7 The Roman Mosaic found at Middleborough, Colchester, now on display in the Castle Museum, see page 5. Below: The Silver Punch Ladle, hallmarked 1723, see page 4.

Page 8 The ceiling moved from 108/9 High Street, Colchester, to the Holly Trees Museum, mentioned on pages 2 and 5.

Page 9 Four coins from the late Iron Age from a hoard buried at Weeley dated c.AD25.The earliest, top left, an issue of the Trinovantes tribe struck about 50BC.The others feature CVNO (king Cunobelinus) and CAMV ().

A gold coin struck by king Cunobelinus c.AD 10.The legend gives the A 4th Century AD Roman A 17th Century finger abbreviated name of the king and the finger ring found at Great mourning ring found at Great first four letters of Camulodunum, the Bromley. It features a twisted Bromley featuring a skull on ancient name for Colchester. Coins like rope pattern flanking the green the outside and an inscription this are called biga staters. Biga is the glass set in the bezel of the ring. on the inside marking the death Latin word for chariot - on one side is a of someone on 4th January pair of horses that drew the chariot, with 1667 with the initials IK . a single wheel symbolising the vehicle.

Three coins of king Addedomaros ruler of Essex c.25BC, found at Little Bromley.The first features a horse, the symbol of secular authority in the period.

A rare Anglo Saxon sword pommel from Ardleigh, dated AD575-625, with an attractive interlace pattern.

Page 10 continued from page 6 frame building. Modernised and enlarged in the Foundry and the nearby German Church; mid 1700’s, the rare spiral staircase inserted and Apsley House; the Wellington Museum; The the brick front added, all in keeping with the Sonorous Works of Boosey & Hawkes;The needs and aspirations of a successful Georgian Cabinet War Rooms,Whitehall; and The business man. R.A.F.Museum, Hendon; Sadler’s Wells Theatre to see Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Mikado”, a joint Mr. David Papillon invited us to “Olivers”, meeting with the Colchester Literary Society; Shrub End, his fine country residence with The Cutty Sark and the Painted Hall, its picturesque grounds and lakes. Mr. Leonard Greenwich with Mr. Frank Carr, former Gant gave a brief history of the house, director of the Royal Maritime Museum;The Mr. John Bensusan Butt spoke to us about National Portrait Gallery to see the Reference the interesting family portraits while Mr. Len Library and vast reserve stock, under the Drinkell spoke on the furnishings. guidance of Dr. Roy Strong;The National Sound Archives Museum;The National Army Also “Bridge House”, Coggeshall, the home of Museum and The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, Mrs. Hilda Sebastian.A former brewery house with vivid memories of the parade of Nannies renovated in the early 1800’s, containing a walking in the gardens in their distinctive fascinating collection of antique furniture, uniforms and pushing their high coach-built paintings, books and a unique collection of perambulators. exquisite needlework, each piece by Mr. Sebastian, mostly on his travels round the The excursions and visits to so many places of world as a Queen’s Messenger. interest are a vital part of our Society, but the invitations to the homes of some our members All the proceeds from these events were in aid have been most memorable. of the Acquisitions Fund.

Our first invitation was to No. 64 Belle Vue Two of our more unusual events included the Road,Wivenhoe, the home of Mr. and Mrs. invitation from Mr.A. G. Smith, managing David Clarke.A family house containing some director of James W.Cook, Ltd., of Wivenhoe, lovely examples of antique furniture and a to attend a traditional ship launch, followed by delightful collection of early toys. a tour of the shipyard.The other being “An Organ Ramble”, giving members the chance Then to No. 71 High Street, Colchester by of visiting interesting churches and hearing fine kind courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth organs, described and demonstrated by Mr. Mabbitt, to see “A Multifarious Collection of David Drinkell, Master of Music at St. Magnus Bygones”.A unique opportunity of seeing a Cathedral, Orkney. fascinating collection of family archives and artefacts in the delightful atmosphere of their N SUNDAY, 13th December 1970, 18th and 19th Century town house. a Christmas Festival was held in the OCastle, perhaps the first ever Carol Then to No. 15 East Hill, to visit the home of Service to be held there. Conducted by the Mr. and Mrs. John Cooke.The narrow frontage Reverend Eric Turner, Rector of St. James’ with its Georgian brick facade concealed the Church, the parish in which the Castle stands, fascinating interior of a typical medieval timber and led by the choirs of St. James and Castle

Page 11 Methodist Churches. Readings were given by The “Friends” had constantly badgered the Mr. Leonard Dansie, David Clarke, David powers-that-be regarding the use of Trinity Forder, George Young and the Reverend D. Church, where we undertook several projects. Stranack.The Festival was so popular that extra One of the first being the renovation of the chairs had to be obtained from the Castle Dr.William Gilberd monument.The work by Methodist Church. L. J.Watts Ltd. cost of £36 and the armorial bearings reblazoned by Mr. Kenneth Mabbitt. The carol services continued for the next four On 22nd November 1961 (358 years after years. Sadly, however, their success proved their Gilberd’s death on 30th November 1603) death knell as newly enforced fire regulations Professor Duane Roller of Oklahoma caused their cancellation. University, unveiled the renovated monument, and after a commemorative dinner at the Red OR SOME YEARS Alderman Dansie and Lion Hotel, gave an interesting talk on the life others had been giving talks on local of the great doctor.The Colchester branch of Fhistory.To bring the heritage of the the Electrical Contractors Association kindly town to a wider public, he was invited by the provided a push-button spot light. “Friends” to give an illustrated talk in The Moot Hall. In co-operation with Mr. H.W. Three years later the five funeral hatchments Poulter, the former Assistant Curator, a were cleaned and renovated and the following fascinating selection of slides of “Bygone year the Stuart Royal Coat of Arms at the Colchester” was presented on 25th November church was restored at a cost of £30.Then in 1952.The large audience was entertained and 1967, the pupils of Colchester Royal Grammar enlightened by the comments and asides of the School cleaned and tidied the interior after the two speakers, with Mr. Poulter’s home-made ravages of pigeons and hooligans. outsize screen, this was perhaps, the last occasion when an old-fashioned magic lantern HE SUCCESS of the Gilberd was used in public.These talks continue to commemorative Dinner prompted the the present day, but fortunately, without the TCommittee to arrange Annual Dinners. encumbrance of a huge brass magic lantern to The first on Wednesday, 28th November 1962 carry around! was at the Red Lion Hotel, with the theme “Colchester, Past and Present”. Its form was an 1959 saw us really flexing our muscles, when imaginary perambulation of the town based on the Society sponsored the “Wildfowling and old photographs from the Rudsdale Collection Firearms Exhibition” at the Castle.A highly in the Holly Trees Museum. Starting from the successful venture produced by Mr. C. E. Owen, Obelisk which formerly stood outside the Red then Curator of the Natural History Museum, Lion, Mr Bernard Mason gave a short history and opened by Mr. James Wentworth Day the of the Obelisk, its sale by auction in 1858 and well-known sporting personality and author. subsequent re-erection in Colchester Cemetery. Mr. Owen gave practical and successful The silver model of the Obelisk was also on demonstrations of firing different firearms - view.The perambulation continued under the while Mr.Alan Dace showed us the correct guidance of Alderman Dansie and Mr. Len procedure for loading, priming and firing a Drinkell and was completed by Mr John flintlock wildfowling piece. Incidentally the Bensusan Butt giving biographical notes on expenses were just under £40. former occupants of the principal residences.

Page 12 Over the next few years a sequence of highly National Portrait Gallery, describing the new successful dinners was held, when we were ways of presenting the Gallery, including the privileged to welcome such eminent guests as: use of photographs and films. He also wanted Sir John Eliot, a distinguished historian and to develop regional listing of portraits in homes chairman of Thomas Cook and Son, who gave and collections in conjunction with the local a most enlightened talk “The Great War and Records Office; Fifty Years After”; Mr. Frank Carr, former Director of the Sir Trenchard Cox, Director of the Victoria and National Maritime Museum, Greenwich spoke Albert Museum, his theme being “Friends of about the preservation of the “Cutty Sark” and Museums”; recalled his long association with Colchester Sir Charles Wheeler, President of the Royal and Colne-side towns and villages; Academy accompanied by Lady Wheeler. Sir Sir David Follett, Director of the Science Charles spoke of the problem of assessing val- Museum, giving an account of the museum ues in art. He said “Pictures could not be valued in from its earliest days and indicated help would money and value could not be equated to cost”; be available for developing the proposed Sir Frank Francis, Director and Principal science museum in Colchester.; Librarian of the British Museum. He referred Sir John Wolfenden, Director and Librarian of to the caustic remarks made about the British the British Museum, spoke of the future plans Museum made at Colchester several years ago and his reluctance to the loan of National by Sir Mortimer Wheeler. He continued with Treasures leaving the Museum. the basic functions of a museum - to acquire, In every case we were invited back to the preserve and display; respective museums and each time privileged Dr. Roy Strong, Director and Secretary,The to have a personally conducted tour.

Dr. Roy Strong (far left), now Sir Roy, pictured at a “Friends” Dinner with the Mayor, Councillor Cecil Howe, the Mayoress,Alderman Leonard Dansie and Mrs Dansie, with Mr. Len Drinkell, Mr. John Bensusan Butt and Mr.W.Duncan Clark forming the back row.

Page 13 HE FIRST Annual Dinner held in received in the Mayor’s Suite by Her Worship November 1962 taking the form of the Mayor,Alderman Mrs. Nancy Smith and Tan imaginary perambulation round the Alderman Leonard Dansie, Chairman of The town, prompted the creation of one of our Cultural Committee. Guests were then taken greatest successes - the provision of Town on tours of the Town Hall by our guides. Guides. In the Annual Report for 1964, it said “with the active support and co-operation of 1978 provided us with our biggest problem Colchester Borough Council, the Society has this when we were approached by The Winged year started a scheme providing competent guides for Fellowship Trust to provide guides to the parties visiting Colchester”. Castle for twelve disabled persons in wheelchairs! When the Castle was built in We started with ten guides - provided for four 1076, it contained all “Mod Cons”, including parties comprising of some 170 people.The fireplaces and toilets, but no lifts! After much first group was from a well-known public thought, the secretary wrote to the C.O. of school at The Hague, Holland and involved Colchester Military Corrective Establishment. four guides with 65 boys and girls on a full He kindly provided six stalwart “Volunteers” tour of the Town.The following year special with a sergeant in charge, to man-handle the badges, bearing the Borough Arms, were wheelchairs and occupants. It proved to be an provided by Colchester Corporation. interesting and enjoyable day, with pupils from Colchester Royal Grammar School pushing 1967 saw the scheme extended to “The the chairs round the exhibits and members of Constable Country” with tours including visits the Castle Methodist Church providing to the terrace of “Stour House”, home of refreshments. Randolph Churchill, the splendid Church of St. Mary the Virgin and Bell Cage, East That same year we also provided guides for Bergholt and introducing the sites of some of 100 members of The British Numismatic John Constable’s most famous paintings. Society from their Annual Conference. On 4th April 1968, we held our first Open Day as part of National Museum Week. Over Late 1983 saw the formation of the Colchester 400 visitors were conducted around the Castle Tourist Association, leading eventually to the and Holly Trees including the new Poulter provision of professional guides under the Laboratory.The following year, we supported National Blue Badge Guide organisation. the Mayor, Councillor Reginald Hilham, in his campaign to publicise Colchester, including By 1986 guide work was completely taken tours of the Town Hall. Our visitors comprised over by the Blue Badge members and after people from Africa, Russia and Germany. some 22 years one of our more prominent and certainly appreciated functions came to an In 1971 we assisted at a “Teach-In”held at the end. One effect was the loss of income as the Castle under the auspices of The Civic Society service produced £40-50 per year. It must be with the theme “Know Your Colchester”.After admitted, however, that the “Friends” realised extensive interior renovation to the Town Hall, that they would not have been able to cope three Open Evenings were held on 2nd and with the great increase in demand for tours. 8th December 1971 and 12th January 1972. We never had more than about a dozen or so On each evening about 200 visitors were guides, whereas the Town is now served by

Page 14 over 50 qualified Blue Badge holders. in our Museums and Art Galleries and to encourage However, members still provide illustrated talks and foster the study of local history, archaeology and on “Old Colchester” and other similar topics. the Arts. However, new members are needed, especially would we like to see more young people PPRECIATION must be recorded to the joining in our activities”. staff of Colchester’s five museums and Athe Resource Centre, for all the help Mr. Drinkell finished his talk by saying how and advice received over those fifty years. From proud he was to have been part of the first fifty the early days with Horace Poulter, then Mr. years of the “Friends” and excited at the sheer M. R. Hull, the Curator, followed by David scale of knowledge and influence which is Clarke, Oliver Green and now Peter Berridge. generated by our Museums at international and local levels. The Silver Jubilee Report records “…the past years have been ones of steady progress and service.We look forward to furthering the prime objects of our Society which are to stimulate interest

One of two paintings by the disabled Victorian artist John Vine which were purchased with the help of the “Friends”.

Page 15 One of ten prints by Blair Hughes-Stanton (1902-1981) painter and engraver who moved to Manningtree after the Second World War and taught at the Colchester School of Art.

Page 16