The Friends of Leatherhead Museum

Museums and Art Galleries usually enjoy the support of a 'Friends' organisation and Leatherhead Museum is no exception.

Our contribution to the success of our museum is both practical and financial . The 'objects' as set out in our constitution are : -

(a) To help in the upkeep of the Leatherhead Museum
(b) To assist the Museum committee and the Curator to stage displays of local history
(c) To publish from time to time, as appropriate, news items of the Friends activities,
(d) To help publicise the Museum and
(e) To foster interest in museums and display techniques and other related activities.

We are active in all these fields but perhaps the greatest debt that the museum owes to the Friends is the provision and organisation of Stewards. These are volunteers willing to give their time in order to man the museum during opening hours. We are always glad to hear of local people who might wish to get involved in this interesting task ; it involves only three hours per month.

The Friends make every effort to bring about an increase in the numbers visiting us. We publicise the museum in every way possible, also sponsoring local initiatives and building links with local firms and local schools. Other activities include organising training sessions for stewards, social activities such as coffee mornings (which also help to bring in funds) and an annual visit to a place of historic interest. Membership There is always a warm welcome for new Friends, whether they live close by or are distant 'well wishers'. The annual subscription is £3 (£5 for couples).

Friends of Leatherhead Museum during an outing to Amberley Working Museum. SOUTHDOWN No. 11 bus formerly operating in the Worthing area.

To join The Friends please print off the application form and send it with the appropriate cheque to : The Membership Secretary, Friends of Leatherhead Museum, 64, Church Street, LEATHERHEAD, Surrey, KT22 8DP.

Dr Fred Meynen
Chairman, The Friends of Leatherhead Museum

NEWS FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM
The year 2005 ended with a flourish when, shortly before Christmas, the Friends were hosts to the stewards and those who help at the Museum. Stewards whilst on duty at the museum have few opportunities to meet their colleagues so this was not just a pleasant social event but also a chance to get to know others involved with the museum.

Planning towards a successful 2006 is well advanced, and dates of events throughout the year have largely been fixed. Anticipating the opening of the museum on Saturday, 1 April, training sessions for the stewards are being prepared. These will take place during the final weeks of March and once again we are indebted to Messrs Bairstow Eves, across the road from the museum, for the use of their conference room.

Events at the museum will once again include Arts and Crafts demonstrations with participation by young and old. These will be in early June during the schools’ half-term break. Also during the summer we will be assisting with the holding of the Archaeology Days, so successfully pioneered with the Roman Days last year.

Visit to Shere Museum and Church. On Wednesday, 22 March we are invited to visit this unique, privately owned museum shortly before it closes in order to move to new premises: also to visit the 12th century village church.

History Society members are welcome to join the Friends for this outing. Those interested should contact Fred Meynen, telephone 01372 372930.

As a reciprocal gesture the Society aims to combine with the Friends on their outing in June. The destination will be the village of Selborne in Hampshire - see the History Society programme for 2006.

Secrets of the Museum will be revealed at a meeting on Tuesday, 25 April, combining with a brief annual general meeting of the Friends. It will take place at the hall opposite Leatherhead parish church, and two interesting presentations will be given. The first, by Gwen Hoad, will reveal the riches of the museum’s historic costume collection, most of which has to be kept in store due to our lack of space. Afterwards Dr Fred Meynen will talk about health care in former times, telling us about some to the objects that were used in those days.

The meeting will start at 7.30 p.m. and anyone who is interested is welcome to come along. John Wettern