Issue ONE 201 3 Fresh Look to the Museum As soon as the museum closed to These pictures show what a huge the public at the end of October the task has been taken on - and I hope first phase of the decorating work, you will all visit during 2013 to see masterminded by Bob Duncan, was the improvement and how much started. Bob was assisted by Tony more welcoming and cheerful the Stimson and other members of the museum entrance now is. committee. Dorothy When the museum re-opens at Easter the lobby, stairs and reception area will have been transformed. Newsletter and Echo Deliveries We have a stalwart band of Trust members, who deliver four times a year, our Our colour pages are newsletters in their local area, mainly PO10 7**. This represents a very sponsored by Steven Borland considerable saving in postage costs! of Borland & Borland Sadly in the last year we have lost three volunteer deliverers, so we are looking the local estate agents. for their replacements. If you feel that you could deliver 10 to 20 items, four times a year, please contact our Treasurer, Geoff Higgins, on 01243 376757 or [email protected] Hon. Secretary Dorothy Bone - 24 Hollybank Lane, Emsworth, PO10 7UE 01243 373780 [email protected] Membership enquiries to Peter Morse 01243 697582 Newsletter by Marguerita Taplin 01243 374105 [email protected] Copyright © Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust Page 1 Dates for your diary All talks and the AGM are held in the Mountford Rooms, Emsworth Community Centre, Church Path, Emsworth starting at 7.30pm. TALKS: Admission Members of EMHT - £1.50 Non Members £3.00. GUIDED WALKS: Start at 6 pm outside the Museum The MONTHLY EXHIBITIONS are held in the museum’s David Rudkin Room. February 25th “The River Ems” A slide show / talk by Michael Edwards. March 7th, 12th Stewards’ Instruction afternoons. If you stewarded during 2012 a letter giving 14th and 19th details of these sessions will be included in the envelope with this newsletter. March 18th Annual General Meeting followed by a talk (see agenda). March 30th Museum re-opens March 30th ) Exhibition “Secrets of the Solent” by Hampshire and Isle of - April 23rd ) Wight Wildlife Trust and Maritime Archaeology Trust April 27th & 28th ) Art Trail May 4th / 5th & 6th ) Weekends April 27th ) Exhibition (names of artists to be confirmed) - May 27th ) April 30th Guided walk starting from outside the museum. May 28th Guided walk starting from outside the museum. June 1st - 23rd Exhibition “Past, Present, Future: Girls Brigade Celebrate 120 Years” June 4th Guided walk starting from outside the museum organised by Chichester Harbour Conservancy. June 19th Annual Treasure Hunt June 25th Guided walk starting from outside the museum. June 29th ) Exhibition (title to be confirmed) - July 21st ) July 27th ) Exhibition “Birthday Celebrations in Emsworth Museum” - August 26th ) July 30th Guided walk starting from outside the museum. August 27th Guided walk starting from outside the museum. August 31st ) Exhibition (title to be confirmed) - September 29th) September 24th Guided walk starting from outside the museum. October 5th – 27th Exhibition “Chichester Harbour: A Year of Photos” by Chichester Harbour Conservancy October 21st “A Railway Miscellany” talk by Linda Newell October 25th Birthday Dinner at the Brookfield Hotel November 18th Talk (speaker and title to be confirmed) Page 2 Admin's Alcove Another New Year and what can I but at least Geoff and I were able to This year we have spent the winter say but – Happy New Year to you all add something extra to make it decorating the hall, stairs and and hope that you all had an worth a second visit. Marguerita reception area, and rehanging the enjoyable Christmas. Usually this is curated her first exhibition and exhibits there. For the real donkey the time for a review of the previous produced a very interesting display work we do have to thank Bob year and a preview of the coming about Royal occasions in Emsworth, Duncan and his assistants, Tony year, so let’s see what I can do. while we scored a coup with Angela Stimson and Peter Allen. Their skills Loader holding her first exhibition in hanging on to the scaffolding We began our year by revising the for many years in our Museum. while placing large heavy exhibits on steward’s training sessions, by These were both very popular. the walls had me holding my breath moving them into the Museum itself, and taking a step back. Thank you so the information I was trying to We were able to persuade (intimidate all of them – your efforts are really impart was more relevant and could or torture!!) some newer members to appreciated and the entrance is a be referred to immediately. We also become committee members, which breath of fresh air and light as we had a wider range of dates, which means that the load of work of enter. most people seemed to prefer, and I running the Museum can be spread must say I felt that everyone over a few more shoulders. Their More exhibitions are in place, and I benefitted from this change. It was interests and skills are a real bonus to hope you will all come and visit on a not just tea and chat, but there was a us, and we hope not to frighten them monthly basis so that you see what a definite purpose, and Joyce and away too quickly by smothering them breadth of information and talent we Linda were able to fill in many of the with too many tasks. I am really have in Emsworth. I will also be slots on their rota. This can be a grateful to them for their assistance. leading the guided walks again this large worry – will we get enough year and dates will be available in the people, because without our Looking to the future? Well - who diary section. Wendy is already volunteer stewards (and we must has the crystal ball? Obviously, our looking for next winter’s speakers for have two on duty at any one time) we usual worry is finance, and we are talks, while Joyce and Linda are busy would not be open to the public. If lucky that Geoff is still our preparing the rota for you all to fill we were not open to the public – Treasurer, because he knows how to your names in to help. then what was the point of being a handle us, and keep a firm hand on museum? the reins. His experience in business So we are all beavering away and it is is a real bonus for us and at the business as usual in the Museum. Although Dorothy had problems moment we are managing quite well. Join in and we will welcome you with with persuading people to stage More members and more fund open arms!! exhibitions, I think the final balance raising events would ease the burden, was very good. We did have to so please if you have any ideas we Happy New Year stretch one of them over two are willing to listen. If you would Linda months (not a very good idea) run a fund raiser we would be even more interested. OPENING TIMES Emsworth Museum is open from Easter Saturday (30th March) until the end of October on Saturdays and Bank Holidays from 10.30am until 4.30pm. and on Sundays from 2.30pm until 4.30pm. Also on St. George’s Day (April 23rd) from 10.00am until 2.00pm and all Fridays in August from 2.30pm until 4.30pm. Final arrangements have not yet been made for the Art Trail weekends but the museum is likely to be open on Sunday April 28th and Sunday May 5th from 10.30am. Members are welcome to visit the museum for research on most Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2.00pm until 4.00pm EXCEPT the first Tuesday of each alternate month (5th March, 7th May, 2nd July, 3rd September and 5th November) when committee meetings are held. From time to time groups of people ask to visit on these afternoons or events are organised. If you wish to visit, and would like to be sure that the museum will be open, please check by emailing [email protected] or telephone 378091. ADMISSION FREE We are always grateful for financial donations to help with the costs of running the museum. Dorothy Bone 01243 373780. Page 3 Strahan Soames’ Diary Using an extract from a diary written by Strahan Soames Some of the students and Dan Musty (the film company in the summer of 1940 a short film is being made that Producer / Director) have visited the museum to find out eventually will be used by the Chichester Harbour what Emsworth was like in the 1940s and also to learn Conservancy Education Service for their history field more about Strahan. trips. At the time that he wrote the diary Strahan was living with his parents in Trentham House, Tower Street. After a career and time His father was the local GP. He had left school and was away Strahan returned to waiting call-up for the Army. The grounds of Trentham Emsworth to live in the House went down to the shore line and from the garden late 1970s. He was an he had a clear view of Thorney Island and also across to active member of Portsmouth. Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust and from 1990 until 1994 he was Vice-Chairman. Strahan Soames This was followed by Chairman from 1994 until 1997 when he was made Vice-President.