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). 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
|
Friends of Leatherhead Museum during an outing to
Amberley Working Museum. SOUTHDOWN No. 11 bus
formerly operating in the Worthing area.
|
from the L&LHS Newsletter,
August 2010
News from the Friends of Leatherhead Museum
Craft Days
This is the seventh year that we have been holding these
events at the museum. They are designed to introduce children
to various crafts with hands on experience. We had a record
209 visitors including 100 children in the three days with
many people staying on to look round the museum. It is always
rewarding to see the dedication and concentration with which
the children tackle the various items, testimony to the
expertese and enthusiasm of the demonstrators. We are very
grateful to them for the time they give to these events.
Justine Munson brought her potter's
wheel and children with no previous experience produced
the most amazing pots at first attempt, better than some
of the adults! She graduated in ceramic design from St
Martin's School of Art, is a member of the Surrey Guild
of Craftsmen and her ceramic drawings of floral and
aquatic subjects can be seen in galleries and
exhibitions. She has her studio in Garlands Road and is
well known for her teaching skills.
Richard Trim OBE is a member of our
society and is an expert on electronics and aviation. He
was previously a director of Racal Decca Research and
demonstrated the making of paper airplanes which the
children could then colour using the appropriate aircraft
markings. Then came the flying instructions with the
planes flying true ' courses, well nearly always!
Robin Christian is one of our museum
stewards as well as being on the staff of Horsham Museum.
Apart from being a producer of amateur dramatics he is a
woodland management expert and had on display items of
flora and fauna found in woods including a skeleton or
two! He demonstrated the making of model hurdles from
hazel and willow which the children could then take home.
Margaret Meynen and Sylvia
Oliver are experts in various crafts and showed
children how to make peg dolls including a handsome man
and a pretty woman with floral dresses which could be
taken home. Simple materials and simple techniques
resulting in an attractive toy.
Meg Crome came with her spinning
wheel on the Saturday and demonstrated spinning, carding
and drop spindles. She has lived in Mole Valley since
1962 and is a member of the Epsom Spinners and U3A craft
group. She is an expert in embroidery, cross stitching,
patchwork, quilting and knitting. Ann Lamb demonstrated
lace making and showed some of her exquisite work. She is
a member of The Epsom Spinners and Epsom Weavers and
exhibits at county fairs and farm open days.
Coffee Morning
We held our usual event on 12th June which this year was
not so well attended as it clashed with The World Cup,
Ashtead Village Day and various other sporting events. It's a
social occasion as well as raising funds for the museum and
this year 35 people attended and £167 was raised. Grateful
thanks to members for their gifts for the raffle, brie a
brae, plants and cake stall. Also to the Leatherhead
Horticultural Society for their donation of plants and to
Carole Neeser for her help with the plant stall and her
donation of plants, jam and allotment produce. The day was
blessed with good weather and enjoyed by all who came.
For events, see the History Society programme page
Fred Meynen,Chairman of'The Friends