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Arts Council (England)
Emsworth Maritime & Historical Trust
NEWSLETTER
Reg. Charity No. 294965
Emsworth Museum
10b North Street, Emsworth, Hants PO10 7DD Tel: 01243 378091 www.emsworthmuseum.org.uk
I s s u e T WO 2 01 5
LINDA NEWELL OYSTER GALLERY
Councillor Marjorie Smallcorn,
Havant Civic Day. She was
Mayor of Havant opened the new
accompanied by a number of
oyster history permanent exhibition
Hampshire mayors, the Mayor and
gallery at Emsworth Museum on
Mayoress of Chichester and the Lord
Thursday 19 March 2015. The
Mayor of Portsmouth. In welcoming
gallery is the culmination of a year
the group, Mr Stimson, Chairman of
long Heritage Lottery Fund
the Emsworth Maritime and
supported project recording the
Historical Trust, thanked Havant
rise and fall of the oyster industry
Borough Council for its much-valued
in Emsworth. It was the brain child
support in the provision of the
of Linda Newell the museum
premises for the Museum for the
administrator who spearheaded the
past 27 years. The Mayor, a strong
project. Sadly, Linda recently died
supporter of the Museum, was then
and the gallery will now be called
invited to cut a ribbon made of
the Linda Newell Oyster Gallery in Marjorie Smallcorn opening the gallery
oyster shells to officially mark the
memory of her. Linda was present at the opening and said, ‘The Mayor has been supportive of this project right from the start. She attended the film premiere and met with the
children who worked with us. We were thrilled that she was able to join us for this final part of the project.’ The Mayor included her visit to the Museum as part of the annual
opening of the exhibition. The group then toured the museum and watched the oyster film.
Clive Pugh
LINDA NEWELL
Emsworth turned out in force to bid farewell to Linda Newell at her funeral service on
April 28th at St James Church. Reverend John Pilkington welcomed a congregation of over
150, including Mayor of Havant, Marjorie Smallcorn and a large contingent from the
Museum with many others representing Guides, Business Association and the Community
Association.
Linda’s younger sister, Sheila Privett, read a moving eulogy about how Linda’s abiding love
of history was kindled as a pupil at St James School. She married Ernie, a motor mechanic
and raised their children Stephen and Helen, before working in tourism and historical
research. She will be much missed by the whole community.
Sylvia Courtnage
Two pages of tributes to Linda follow on pages 4 and 5.
Website www.emsworthmuseum.org.uk
Hon. Secretary Dorothy Bone 01243 373780 dorothybone@btinternet.com
Membership Peter Morse 01243 697582 Newsletter by Marguerita Taplin 01243 374105 margueritataplin@yahoo.co.uk
Copyright © Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust
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Dates for your diary
DIARY (MAY – DECEMBER 2015)
All monthly exhibitions are held in the museum’s David Rudkin Room. Talks are held in the Mountford Rooms, Emsworth Community Centre, North Street, Emsworth at 7.30pm. Members £2.00 non members £3.00.
April 25th – May 17th Exhibition - “Emsworth Artists Chris Abel and Carol Millard”
(Emsworth’s Art Trail - April 25th / 26th and May 2nd /3rd /4th)
May 11th
Local history guided walk led by Dr Margaret Rogers
May 18th
“Emsworth Oysters” Illustrated talk in memory of Linda Newell
given by film maker Dan Musty and Alison Beckett
May 23rd – June 28th Exhibition - “Monty Reed: Local Teacher 1934 - 1956”
by Bernie Gudge
June 8th
Local history guided walk led by Dr Margaret Rogers
June 18th
Coffee Morning at 3 Swan Close
July 1st
Treasure Hunt
July 4th – August 2nd Exhibition - “Chichester and District Archaeology Society (CDAS) and
the Warblington Villa” by Dr Trevor and Mrs Ann Davies
July 13th
Local history guided walk led by Dr Margaret Rogers
August 7th – 31st
Exhibition – “Celebrating 175 years of St. James Church”
(St. James’ Church Flower Festival 24th/25th/26th July)
August 10th
Local history guided walk led by Dr Margaret Rogers
August 31st
Emsworth Show
September 14th – 17th E.M. & H.T. holiday to Cheshire.
September 5th – 27th Exhibition - “Terror: celebrating 125 years”
September 21st
Illustrated talk by Dr Trevor Davies
“Warblington: A Late Iron Age and Roman Estate - Investigations by
Chichester & District Archaeology Society”
October 3rd – 25th
Exhibition “50th Anniversary of Emsworth Marina”
October 19th
Talk “Meet a Naval Captain of 1805 and his Lady”
by Roger Glancefield
November 19th
Title and speaker to be confirmed.
December
Stewards Christmas Tea party
Museum Opening Times Emsworth Museum will be open from 4th April until 25th October on Saturdays and Bank Holidays from 10.30am until 4.30pm, on Sundays from 2.30pm until 4.30pm. and on all Fridays in August from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.
Members are welcome to visit the museum for research. Until 30th June the museum will be open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2.00pm until 4.00pm. From 1st July these mid week days might change. If you plan to visit and would like to be sure that the museum will be open, please telephone or email me. ADMISSION TO THE MUSEUM IS FREE We are always grateful for financial donations to help with the expenses of running the museum.
Dorothy Bone 01243 37378 dorothybone@btinternet.com
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TALK REPORTS
LIFE ON THE MARY ROSE
Despite it being one of the coldest evenings of the winter on 19 January the talk on ‘A Sailor’s Life and Death on the Mary Rose’ by Trevor Sapey attracted almost a full house in the Community Centre.
French, pinpointing their position in some detail from the Cowdray painting. He discussed several possible reasons as to why and how the Mary Rose sank with such a great loss of life, only some 35 surviving. He described the several attempts to
right and then recover the ship and
how and why it was allowed to
remain in the Solent mud for so
many years, in retrospect proving to
be an excellent preservative. He
informed the audience how the new
Mary Rose museum was sited over
one of the dockyard’s dry docks and
detailed the stages of the ship’s
Trevor was dressed in a Tudor sailor’s uniform and gave a presentation illustrating the situation of the British ships and manpower against the
preservation up to the present day. Because the ship’s discovery was supervised by our late President, Dr Margaret Rule, the 19,000 artefacts recovered were recorded in situ and
Forthcoming Talks
have given historians many new insights into life of the period aboard ship. Trevor then provided the audience with a detailed description of his uniform and how it was made up and then went on to supply a variety of duplicate artefacts, inviting the audience to guess their uses. Among them were instruments such as a barber-surgeon would use and
personal belongings of various ranks, including some ‘nit’ combs. The evening then concluded when he answered questions from a most appreciative audience.
Margaret Rogers
EMSWORTH OYSTERS : This talk is in memory of Linda Newell. The history of Emsworth's oyster
industry needed telling so local historian Linda Newell and Emsworth Museum worked with Chichester Harbour Conservancy supported by Heritage Lottery Fund backing to explain the importance of Emsworth's oysters. Filmmaker, Dan Musty of Millstream Productions and Ali Beckett, project manager tell the story. Monday 18 May 7.30 pm Emsworth Community Centre
WHAT THE BUTLER SAW Dr Bob France once again attracted a full house on Monday 16 February to hear his illustrated talk entitled ‘What the Butler Saw’.
Beforehand he had set out a place setting on a side table to demonstrate what it would have looked like in Georgian times in a stately country house, which members and visitors
were invited to inspect. He entered the room attired in the authentically reproduced clothing of a butler including a specially-made tailored pressed wool jacket and his wig. To begin Dr France introduced his talk by saying that he worked as a volunteer at both Petworth and Uppark where he gave tours. He went on to describe dining habits and customs of the Georgian era and how guests and visitors to large houses lined up to enter the dining room, such formations denoting importance and rank. Both stately homes have, in the past, attracted some notable visitors to dine and Dr France also discussed some of the
eyebrow-raising habits of the owner of Petworth, the Earl of Egremont; butlers clearly knew everything that went on in their domain! He was warmly thanked for such an entertaining talk before the evening ended with the traditional raffle.
Margaret Rogers
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LINDA NEWELL 13th June 1950 – 1st April 2015
“Fond tributes are paid to tireless volunteer who died suddenly” was Jeff Travis’s headline to Chairman Tony Stimson’s tribute to Linda in The News on Monday 27th April. Linda’s unexpected death was a great shock and sadness to everyone who knew her and her passing will be a great loss to the Trust and museum.
Linda lived most of her life in Emsworth and over the years got to know the town and residents very well. She married Ernest Newell, a local boy, in 1971 and after living for a short time near Chichester they returned to Emsworth and set up home in Highland Road. It was her love of the area that sparked her interest in local history and this became one of her great passions. She enjoyed delving into old records and particularly researching Emsworth’s buildings, families and industries – especially the oyster trade. She had a wealth of local knowledge and was always keen to add to it wherever and however she could.
Linda was born in Kings Lynn, Norfolk: the eldest of two daughters. Her father, Philip, worked for the Postal Service and when she was nine years old they all moved to Emsworth. Linda attended St James’ Primary School, and then went on to Chichester High School for Girls. After completing her A-Levels she worked as a secretary (progressing to the position of Senior Partner’s Secretary) at Dobsons Solicitors in Chichester and worked there until she married. In 1980 she started up a small business making teddy bears and soft toys and selling them directly to the public at craft fairs around the country. Later she worked for the Southern Tourist Board, Havant Borough Council and Chichester District Council in their various Tourist Information Centres.
In 2006, shortly after her book “Images of England: Emsworth” was published, Linda became Emsworth Museum’s Administrator and she took on the task of caring for and displaying the artefacts in the museum. This included rearranging existing displays in the Main Room as well as researching and putting on some of the exhibitions in the David Rudkin Room on such themes as P.G. Wodehouse in Emsworth, the Washington Road School centenary in 2009, Seven Decades of Emsworth People and the Emsworth Improvement Scheme. She also planned and organised the dinner at The Brookfield Hotel together with the museum display to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the museum in 1988. One of Linda’s on-going projects was based on WWI which gave her the opportunity to stage an initial exhibition “The Men of Emsworth who went to War 1914 – 1918”. Following this she gave a talk and at both of these popular events she obtained additional information which she had intended to use for future talks and displays.
Linda’s research gave her the information to write leaflets and books on a variety of subjects such as the War Memorial in The Square and Northlands Nursing Home, “Emsworth’s Plum” and “Uncovering the Past….Emsworth, Oysters and Men”. Another of her major contributions to the Trust has been her summer local history guided walks around Emsworth and her winter talks which have attracted lots of attention.
Linda’s other interests have included the Girl Guides (she served as the District Commissioner for Emsworth for 5 years), needlework and all forms of motor racing – especially historic racing at Goodwood. She helped to organise the very successful Emsworth Food Festivals and for a number of years has been the Secretary of the Emsworth Business Association. Recently she has helped with the Famers' Markets, Emsworth’s British Food Fortnight and Red Nose Day. In addition to her voluntary work she has also been a member of the staff in Bookends and The Brookfield Hotel.
For the past year Linda and Sylvia Courtnage have worked with Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Millstream Productions and local schools on a Heritage Lottery Funded project to produce a film and information packs explaining the local oyster industry. This excellent film can be viewed in the newly named “Linda Newell Oyster Gallery” in the Museum’s Main Room.
A book of condolence has been opened in the Emsworth Museum and will remain open until the end of October. Dorothy Bone
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A Very few of the many tributes we have received about Linda ..
Linda will always hold a special place in my thoughts. She touched an unbelievable amount of organisations from the Museum to being one of the first on board with the original Food Festival and so much more in between. I have worked with Linda on so many Emsworth events and I can honestly say that none of them would have been as successful without her input and hard work. In particular in the last 6 months we successfully won a national competition for Emsworth British Food Fortnight, a wonderful achievement for this community and of course we raised an amazing amount of money for Comic Relief when we became the UK’s First Official Red Nose Town. The last time I saw Linda was in the Square wearing a red nose as we had a picture taken to acknowledge this achievement, I shall treasure that image of her. Linda understood community, she understood and cherished Emsworth and most of all in a place that understood its sense of place, Linda understood and loved her place in it. Allistair Gibson. Emsworth Business Association
Linda worked so hard for Emsworth Museum. She was always cheery and positive and very knowledgeable about Emsworth. She will be sorely missed as Administrator and as a friend. Cathy R Rudkin (Trustee)
Such fun we all had as part of the Lillywhite Gang with your Ernie, Keith and Roger. Happy Days and lately helping me with the Fosters and Reed exhibitions. I shall miss you so much.
Bernie Gudge
Linda was such an energetic, active and competent person that the Museum's loss will be considerable, whoever follows in her footsrps.
John Vickers
A real shame.. Linda was an inspiration to everyone in Chichester Harbour reaching beyond Emsworth. She was a kind, caring and thoughtful person who touched the lives of thousands. Rest in peace.
Richard Austin
“I was very sorry to learn of the sad loss of Linda Newell. She really did contribute enormously to the Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust. I have happy memories of her proudly welcoming me to the museum and I do hope you will pass on my condolences to her family and friends”.
David Willets
Always full of energy and enthusiasm. A wonderful person to work alondside or be around Linda put so much into Emsworth and made a huge difference for so many people. A lovely, kind and special person!
Mike Blatch
Linda - You were my most sensible friend but with a great sense of humour! We worked together on food festivals, Stauton Festival to name but a few. Our last event together was a silent disco for RedNose weekend. Great memories of a really great woman. I shall miss you on “the barricades” but know you'll always be there behind us in the future.
Lulu Bowerman. Emsworth Community Association. Emsworth Business Association
I just wanted to send you my deepest sympathy to you and everyone at the museum with regard to the tragic loss of Linda. The news came as a huge shock to me as she had seemed so full of zest until very recently. I regarded her in many ways as ‘Mrs Emsworth’ as she was such a fountain of knowledge on all things Emsworth related and put her heart and soul into so many projects for the good of the town. I will miss her terribly. In a funny way, it comes as a relief, and should indeed be a lasting tribute to her, that we did the Oyster project when we did. I hope that it will stand up for many years as a testimony to her hard work and dedication.
Dan Musty. Millstream Productions
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Chairman’s Message
It is very sad that we are recording in this Newsletter the deaths of two people who were significant in the life of the Trust.
First, Linda Newell, our Museum Administrator for the past nine years, who died suddenly and tragically on 1 April 2014, just three months before her planned retirement. Elsewhere in this Newsletter, there is a tribute to Linda. To mark Linda’s service to the Trust and to the Museum, the committee decided that as the Heritage Lottery Fund grant funded Emsworth Oyster Project was Linda’s swansong project, it is fitting that the new Oyster Gallery in the Main Room should be named The Linda Newell Oyster Gallery.
Second, Dr Margaret Rule, our President for the past 21 years, died on 9 April 2015. Margaret was 86 and had not enjoyed the best of health in recent times, and also lost her husband, Arthur, in February 2014. Margaret found national and international fame for her involvement in the discovery and uncovering of the Roman palace at Fishbourne and for her pioneering underwater archaeological work on the Mary Rose. Margaret’s husband, Arthur was involved in the early days of the Trust and was our ViceChairman for about a year. Later, when Margaret became our President, they both became staunch supporters for many years. She last visited us at our Reception on 29 July 2013 marking the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Museum and in her address, she spoke of “our gem of a museum”.
Our sympathies and condolences have been sent to Linda’s family. To
date we have been unable to contact Margaret’s family but when we do, our sympathies and condolences will be sent to them.
It was very bad luck that Dorothy Bone had an accident on 14 March and was hospitalised for two weeks. I am pleased to report she is now on the mend, and back home and active, very active, on her computer! We wish her a speedy return to full mobility again very soon.
It was disappointing that the AGM on 16 March 2015 was attended by so few members. Fortunately, there was nothing contentious on the agenda requiring a properly constituted vote. The committee does need the support of the membership on these occasions if we are to avoid the work, expense and complication of some form of postal ballot. It will be much appreciated if you can please endeavour to give the committee your full support at future Annual General Meetings.
Under the terms of Accreditation, all small independent museums, such as Emsworth Museum, must appoint a mentor - a full time museum professional, who will act as a part time, unpaid adviser. I am pleased to report that we have appointed as our new Museum Mentor, Miss Tracy Teasdale in succession to Oonagh Palmer who moved on some months ago. Tracy lives in Emsworth, is professionally employed in the Museums service and is a lovely, bubbly, enthusiastic person keen to give us whatever good advice she can for the benefit of the Emsworth Museum. I am sure she will be an asset to us.
My thanks to all those members of
the committee who have turned to and really helped out in the Museum following Linda’s demise and Dorothy’s accident. In particular, Sylvia Courtnage who has picked up the Oyster Project and is seeing it through to a satisfactory conclusion. Also, Wendy Bright who has done an enormous amount of work in the Museum, with Clive Pugh’s help, including tidying the office. Bob Duncan has also done a wonderful job in putting up additional shelving in the office.
Until Linda’s replacement is appointed and in post, we are maintaining the routine of the Museum being open to Members (not the general public) on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with committee members manning the office on a rota. Both members and the general public are encouraged to visit the Museum on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during May to purchase tickets for the Oysters talk on 18 May.
The sub-committee set up to recruit a replacement for Linda on her planned retirement in June is well on the way to making an appointment. Expressions of interest in the position were received from seven individuals and interviewing will start very shortly of those who have responded positively in the follow up process.
We are now into the summer season and in the thick of stewarding again. My thanks to all those stewards who attended the Museum briefings and Fire Evacuation training sessions in March. My thanks also to Wendy Bright who took over the briefing previously done by Linda. As is so often the case, we would like to welcome more volunteers to join the
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happy band of stewards. Our stewards have fun and enjoy their work so, if you’ve not done it before, why not volunteer for a spot of stewarding.
I am pleased to welcome Bernie Gudge and Barry Mapley who have agreed to act as our Photographic Archivists. We have a huge collection of photographs which few people ever see because we do not know how to find a photo of a
particular subject. With Bernie’s and Barry’s help we will have a new properly indexed system to enable us to find a photo quickly and easily. This will enable stewards and others to respond to a visitor’s enquiry on the spot and help to make the Museum and its records a bigger attraction.
Finally, just a small word of warning should you happen to be walking past the Museum at about 6:30 p.m.
on a Tuesday evening and you hear the Fire Alarm bells ringing. The Museum is not about to be reduced to a heap of smouldering ash but the Fire Service is testing the Fire Alarm systems which are linked between the Fire Station and the Museum. We have a formal agreement in place allowing the Fire Service to do this every week without a representative of the Trust being present.
Tony Stimson. Chairman
Emsworth Celebrates its Military Heritage
St George’s Day Thursday 23rd April
The community of Emsworth once again celebrated St. George’s Day with its annual parade. Emsworthians
are rightly proud of their military neighbours on Thorney Island and St George’s Day gives residents and visitors the opportunity to show their gratitude to the men and women of our armed services for their unstinting dedication to duty and bravery under fire in extremely hostile conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq. As an example Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey, a Hampshire man, has become only the third soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery in Afghanistan.
This year had a special significance with the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, with national celebrations scheduled in May commemorating VE Day, “one of the most pivotal moments in our nation’s proud history,” according to David Cameron. For Emsworth it also has particular significance with the reformation of the Imjin Battery (now part of 12 Regiment based at Thorney Island) and its links with the Korean War. The Imjin Rose also known as the Emsworth Rose was presented to the Imjin Battery and all the veterans marching in the parade.
The Emsworth Rose honours the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Imjin River in the often forgotten Korean War. This battle was a valiant rearguard action to halt the Chinese and North Korean army and was concluded on St George’s Day 1951.
marching with 12 Regiment Royal Artillery and military band of the Royal Artillery through Emsworth. Children also accompanied the parade from Thorney Island Primary School and Emsworth Primary School.
It culminated in St Peters’ Square in front of the Mayor of Havant, Cllr Marjorie Smallcorn and the Commanding Officer of 12 Regiment Royal Artillery. Entertainment included the George Regis Jazz Band and there was a street collection on behalf of local branches of SSAFA.
John Tweddell
The parade commenced at 10.30am with Veterans from various conflicts going back more than 60 years
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Approved by You!
Emsworth Museum made a successful application to this Community Grant Scheme, open to local voluntary organisations that provide a service or specifically benefit residents in the Borough of Havant.
On 24th March 2015 residents in Emsworth and Havant were encouraged to go and vote in person for their chosen charity. Projects were colourfully displayed on 12 stands at the Beacon in the Meridian Centre, Havant, and residents
were given the opportunity to learn about schemes from enthusiastic members. We are indebted to EM&HT members who took the trouble to journey over there and vote for a grant to enable the purchase of a plan chest to store documents, boat plans and maps. As the only Museum in the Borough of Havant, it was also an opportunity to raise our profile in the community.
In the face of strong competition we were delighted to be joint 4th and awarded a grant £262 made available by Hampshire County Council and Havant Borough Council.
Wendy Bright
Forthcoming Exhibitions
23rd May – 28th June “Monty Reed: local teacher 1934 – 1956” Monty Reed was a very popular teacher although a strict disciplinarian. His pupils say that he was an inspirational teacher who always gave time to help them with their academic work but also encouraged them to take part in sport and outdoor activities. He was born in 1913 and after teacher training college started teaching at the Council school in Emsworth in 1934. He also taught at the Church School and Havant’s Bosmere School. During WWII he joined the Navy and, we understand, served on a small cable laying ship (Bullfrog) based in Ceylon. Monty Reed was a keen photographer and the exhibition will consist mainly of his pictures but also some by former pupils. In addition to group class pictures the display will include the school football and netball teams and pupils involved in country dancing and physical training displays, dinghy sailing, swimming, cycling and visits to Kingley Vale and of course his beautiful collie dogs.
4th July – 2nd August “Chichester and District Archaeology Society and the Warblington Roman Villa” by Dr Trevor and Mrs Ann Davies CDAS have excavated at the site of the Warblington Villa complex on four occasions in the last four years – the last time being in 2014. This exhibition will help to explain life in the area in Roman times and how the local sites in Havant and Horndean relate to each other. Recent finds in a garden in Warblington Road will also be included.
7th – 31st August “Celebrating 175 years of St.James’ Church St. James’ Church was built in 1840 at a total cost of £1,900.00 – John Elliott was the architect. It has been extended several times and the addition of a vestry in 1894 completed the building. This exhibition will show how the original structure described as Byzantine Romanesque has changed over the years and the various events and activities that are now held within its walls.
Dorothy Bone
Oyster Industry
Copies of the film on the local oyster industry produced as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded project can now be purchased from the museum at a cost of £5.00.
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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TRUST
Membership Secretary
After 8 years as Membership Secretary, Peter Morse has decided that he would like to spend more time enjoying his other interests – which include sailing and walking. Peter has constantly worked hard to encourage more people to become members of the Trust and this is reflected in the present total of just under 500. He also runs the very successful 50 / 50 Club – which provides several hundreds of pounds each year so that special items can be purchased for the museum. The Membership Secretary has a very important role to play in the efficient running of the Trust and museum. He works closely with the Treasurer particularly at the start of the year when subscriptions are paid. If you think this job might interest you and you would like more information about what it entails please speak with Peter Morse on 01243 697582. He will be happy to discuss it with you.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE MUSEUM
Website Editor
Role: To keep the website news and events sections fresh and up-to-date. To coordinate other volunteer contributors. Previous Experience Required: Surprisingly little computing experience required actually! Essentially word processing knowledge and a keenness to maintain freshness of the website. (Please feel free to speak to Clive Pugh on 01243372400)
Museum Shop Manager
Role: To re-design the Museum shop, and develop its sales and its stock. To coordinate other volunteer contributors. Previous Experience Required: Some basic retailing experience, and experience of, or a wish to develop, internet sales. (Please feel free to speak to Clive Pugh on 01243-372400)
Cheshire Holiday. 14th to 17th September
The National Trust at Snowshill have now decided that they cannot accommodate our coach on the return journey from Cheshire so we have arranged an alternative at Upton House in Oxfordshire which, I am sure, will meet with everyone’s approval. This will be on the way to Cheshire so we will now visit Shugborough on the way back.
Lord Bearsted acquired Upton House in 1927 because he was keen to see his expanding collection paintings and porcelain accommodated under one roof. It was, and is, one of the finest private art collections in England. In 1939
the owners moved out and driven by the need to protect bank staff and assets from the London air raids, M. Samuel & Co. moved in lock, stock and barrel for the duration of the Second World War. The house has been taken back to wartime Britain so that we can see how the bank staff lived and worked in their new surroundings. There are office desks and typewriters in the Long Gallery, just as there were in the 1940s, alongside the world class paintings and porcelain collection. This year, new rooms have been opened, the gardens are enhanced with wartime features and we can now explore for ourselves what happened when ordinary people took over this extraordinary place.
We still have some vacancies for this holiday at £304 per person for two people sharing so please let me know if you would like to join us on this holiday to Upton House, Shugborough, Chester, the Anderton Canal Boat Lift (with cream tea on the river Weaver), and a whole day visit to Quarry bank Mill.
Peter Morse 01243 697582
Upton House
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Guided local walks
Our summer series of evening guided local walks will start on
Monday 11 May, starting at 6pm at the museum door, and there will be one in each month during the summer (ref. Diary). The walks take approximately two hours and the cost will be £2 for members and £3 for non- members. If you are new to the area or are visiting this is a great way to learn about the history of Emsworth or if you have lived here for some time you may wish to refresh your
memories. The walk is not strenuous and we go at a comfortable pace, taking about two hours and of course you may leave at any time on the tour.
Margaret Rogers
INVITATION
Fund Raising Coffee Morning at 3 Swan Close (offKing Street) Thursday 18th June from 10.30 – 12.30 You are cordially invited to come along to meet your friends, drink coffee and watch the tide come in. The views from Bob Duncan’s garden are stunning. Everyone welcome: non members as well as members.
No need to book. No charge for the coffee and cake. Admittance by donation please. All profits will go towards paying the expenses ofrunning Emsworth Museum
and enhancing the displays.
Annual Treasure Hunt
Wednesday 1st July starting from Emsworth Museum at 7.00pm.
The winners of this popular event in 2014 have already planned the route for 2015 and with new people setting the questions each year the challenge is always different. The walking treasure hunt usually lasts for just over an hour at which time everyone returns to the museum to discuss how they got on and get their answers checked. The charge is £1.00 per person which includes a much deserved cup of coffee (or squash) and biscuits whilst the answers are checked - after which the new winners (who set the clues for the following year) are announced. If you’ve never taken part before – put the date in your diary – come along and join in the fun!!! Everyone welcome. No need to book – just turn up.
Dorothy Bone
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50/50 CLUB
Spring-clean!
In anticipation of the Mayor’s Civic visit, Stewards’ training sessions and the opening for the new season, a small group of enthusiastic volunteers came together with polish and dusters to give the Museum rooms extra sparkle! At the same time it gave stewards a chance to get “close up and personal” with the artefacts in the Main Room. Doesn’t it look fun, so why not join us next year?
Wendy Bright
Further Research Regarding two items in the 2014 issue of the Echo.
Following the article about Maisemore Gardens, the Trust has been given a copy of the details of land sales and transfers concerning the area where the Maisemore Gardens estate was built in 1960. The documents cover the period 1900 to 1960, this will enable us to fill in more details of the early history of that area of Emsworth. A short piece by our archivists entitled “One More Pub”, interested me because the Licensee was a Charles Bishop. He was a beerhouse keeper and tailor. I have ancestors by the name of Bishop who were beerhouse keepers in Southampton, they originated from Dorset. When I found that Charles Bishop was born in Wareham, Dorset, I started researching his family to see whether I can claim to have a distant relative who lives in Emsworth!
Geoff Higgins
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ALL ABOARD FOR EMSWORTH OYSTERS!
the Museum where they were greeted by Chairman, Tony Stimson, along with ‘crew members’ Bob Duncan, Clive Pugh – and me. They were able to spend time in the main exhibition area and visit the new oyster gallery.
It was ‘all hands on deck’ at the Museum recently when the Terror skippers and their partners paid a visit as part of a Chichester Harbour Conservancy training day, partfunded by the Heritage Lottery Fund Oyster project. The 28 attendees started their day at the Emsworth Sailing Club with a hearty breakfast and a showing of the Emsworth Oysters film, which was introduced with a talk by Ali Beckett, the project manager. Afterwards, the group ‘came aboard’
The visitors showed a lot of interest in the museum, especially our many exhibits connected with the sea. (For many, including some Emsworth residents, it was their first visit – although several vowed to return.)
Judi Darley, Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s Communities Officer,
said: “We had some very positive feedback. Everyone enjoyed the visit.” The day was a successful part of our outreach efforts and should contribute to increased visitor numbers in future.
Sylvia Courtnage
ARTS TRAIL EXHIBITION
Emsworth Museum was once again one of the venues on the Emsworth Arts Trail. Chris Abel, a fused glass artist, makes an exceptional selection of coastal inspired items using art glass and recycled materials. His display complemented Carol Millard’s paintings which are mainly in acrylic. Her subjects are varied, whatever she finds interesting at the time, but mainly topiary and portraiture. Both have featured on the Arts Trail in past years and are very popular - although this is the first year that Carol has shown her work in Emsworth Museum. The display continues until the 17th May.
Dorothy Bone
The views expressed by contributors to this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the General Committee. All rights are reserved. Contact the editor for permission to use material.
If you would like to provide a news article or illustrations for the newsletter, please send this to the editor, Marguerita Taplin margueritataplin@yahoo.co.uk (disk or email preferred to hard copy)
Printed by PDC Copyprint of Havant (Tel: 02392 471333)
Page 1 2
Emsworth Maritime & Historical Trust
NEWSLETTER
Reg. Charity No. 294965
Emsworth Museum
10b North Street, Emsworth, Hants PO10 7DD Tel: 01243 378091 www.emsworthmuseum.org.uk
I s s u e T WO 2 01 5
LINDA NEWELL OYSTER GALLERY
Councillor Marjorie Smallcorn,
Havant Civic Day. She was
Mayor of Havant opened the new
accompanied by a number of
oyster history permanent exhibition
Hampshire mayors, the Mayor and
gallery at Emsworth Museum on
Mayoress of Chichester and the Lord
Thursday 19 March 2015. The
Mayor of Portsmouth. In welcoming
gallery is the culmination of a year
the group, Mr Stimson, Chairman of
long Heritage Lottery Fund
the Emsworth Maritime and
supported project recording the
Historical Trust, thanked Havant
rise and fall of the oyster industry
Borough Council for its much-valued
in Emsworth. It was the brain child
support in the provision of the
of Linda Newell the museum
premises for the Museum for the
administrator who spearheaded the
past 27 years. The Mayor, a strong
project. Sadly, Linda recently died
supporter of the Museum, was then
and the gallery will now be called
invited to cut a ribbon made of
the Linda Newell Oyster Gallery in Marjorie Smallcorn opening the gallery
oyster shells to officially mark the
memory of her. Linda was present at the opening and said, ‘The Mayor has been supportive of this project right from the start. She attended the film premiere and met with the
children who worked with us. We were thrilled that she was able to join us for this final part of the project.’ The Mayor included her visit to the Museum as part of the annual
opening of the exhibition. The group then toured the museum and watched the oyster film.
Clive Pugh
LINDA NEWELL
Emsworth turned out in force to bid farewell to Linda Newell at her funeral service on
April 28th at St James Church. Reverend John Pilkington welcomed a congregation of over
150, including Mayor of Havant, Marjorie Smallcorn and a large contingent from the
Museum with many others representing Guides, Business Association and the Community
Association.
Linda’s younger sister, Sheila Privett, read a moving eulogy about how Linda’s abiding love
of history was kindled as a pupil at St James School. She married Ernie, a motor mechanic
and raised their children Stephen and Helen, before working in tourism and historical
research. She will be much missed by the whole community.
Sylvia Courtnage
Two pages of tributes to Linda follow on pages 4 and 5.
Website www.emsworthmuseum.org.uk
Hon. Secretary Dorothy Bone 01243 373780 dorothybone@btinternet.com
Membership Peter Morse 01243 697582 Newsletter by Marguerita Taplin 01243 374105 margueritataplin@yahoo.co.uk
Copyright © Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust
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Dates for your diary
DIARY (MAY – DECEMBER 2015)
All monthly exhibitions are held in the museum’s David Rudkin Room. Talks are held in the Mountford Rooms, Emsworth Community Centre, North Street, Emsworth at 7.30pm. Members £2.00 non members £3.00.
April 25th – May 17th Exhibition - “Emsworth Artists Chris Abel and Carol Millard”
(Emsworth’s Art Trail - April 25th / 26th and May 2nd /3rd /4th)
May 11th
Local history guided walk led by Dr Margaret Rogers
May 18th
“Emsworth Oysters” Illustrated talk in memory of Linda Newell
given by film maker Dan Musty and Alison Beckett
May 23rd – June 28th Exhibition - “Monty Reed: Local Teacher 1934 - 1956”
by Bernie Gudge
June 8th
Local history guided walk led by Dr Margaret Rogers
June 18th
Coffee Morning at 3 Swan Close
July 1st
Treasure Hunt
July 4th – August 2nd Exhibition - “Chichester and District Archaeology Society (CDAS) and
the Warblington Villa” by Dr Trevor and Mrs Ann Davies
July 13th
Local history guided walk led by Dr Margaret Rogers
August 7th – 31st
Exhibition – “Celebrating 175 years of St. James Church”
(St. James’ Church Flower Festival 24th/25th/26th July)
August 10th
Local history guided walk led by Dr Margaret Rogers
August 31st
Emsworth Show
September 14th – 17th E.M. & H.T. holiday to Cheshire.
September 5th – 27th Exhibition - “Terror: celebrating 125 years”
September 21st
Illustrated talk by Dr Trevor Davies
“Warblington: A Late Iron Age and Roman Estate - Investigations by
Chichester & District Archaeology Society”
October 3rd – 25th
Exhibition “50th Anniversary of Emsworth Marina”
October 19th
Talk “Meet a Naval Captain of 1805 and his Lady”
by Roger Glancefield
November 19th
Title and speaker to be confirmed.
December
Stewards Christmas Tea party
Museum Opening Times Emsworth Museum will be open from 4th April until 25th October on Saturdays and Bank Holidays from 10.30am until 4.30pm, on Sundays from 2.30pm until 4.30pm. and on all Fridays in August from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.
Members are welcome to visit the museum for research. Until 30th June the museum will be open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2.00pm until 4.00pm. From 1st July these mid week days might change. If you plan to visit and would like to be sure that the museum will be open, please telephone or email me. ADMISSION TO THE MUSEUM IS FREE We are always grateful for financial donations to help with the expenses of running the museum.
Dorothy Bone 01243 37378 dorothybone@btinternet.com
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TALK REPORTS
LIFE ON THE MARY ROSE
Despite it being one of the coldest evenings of the winter on 19 January the talk on ‘A Sailor’s Life and Death on the Mary Rose’ by Trevor Sapey attracted almost a full house in the Community Centre.
French, pinpointing their position in some detail from the Cowdray painting. He discussed several possible reasons as to why and how the Mary Rose sank with such a great loss of life, only some 35 surviving. He described the several attempts to
right and then recover the ship and
how and why it was allowed to
remain in the Solent mud for so
many years, in retrospect proving to
be an excellent preservative. He
informed the audience how the new
Mary Rose museum was sited over
one of the dockyard’s dry docks and
detailed the stages of the ship’s
Trevor was dressed in a Tudor sailor’s uniform and gave a presentation illustrating the situation of the British ships and manpower against the
preservation up to the present day. Because the ship’s discovery was supervised by our late President, Dr Margaret Rule, the 19,000 artefacts recovered were recorded in situ and
Forthcoming Talks
have given historians many new insights into life of the period aboard ship. Trevor then provided the audience with a detailed description of his uniform and how it was made up and then went on to supply a variety of duplicate artefacts, inviting the audience to guess their uses. Among them were instruments such as a barber-surgeon would use and
personal belongings of various ranks, including some ‘nit’ combs. The evening then concluded when he answered questions from a most appreciative audience.
Margaret Rogers
EMSWORTH OYSTERS : This talk is in memory of Linda Newell. The history of Emsworth's oyster
industry needed telling so local historian Linda Newell and Emsworth Museum worked with Chichester Harbour Conservancy supported by Heritage Lottery Fund backing to explain the importance of Emsworth's oysters. Filmmaker, Dan Musty of Millstream Productions and Ali Beckett, project manager tell the story. Monday 18 May 7.30 pm Emsworth Community Centre
WHAT THE BUTLER SAW Dr Bob France once again attracted a full house on Monday 16 February to hear his illustrated talk entitled ‘What the Butler Saw’.
Beforehand he had set out a place setting on a side table to demonstrate what it would have looked like in Georgian times in a stately country house, which members and visitors
were invited to inspect. He entered the room attired in the authentically reproduced clothing of a butler including a specially-made tailored pressed wool jacket and his wig. To begin Dr France introduced his talk by saying that he worked as a volunteer at both Petworth and Uppark where he gave tours. He went on to describe dining habits and customs of the Georgian era and how guests and visitors to large houses lined up to enter the dining room, such formations denoting importance and rank. Both stately homes have, in the past, attracted some notable visitors to dine and Dr France also discussed some of the
eyebrow-raising habits of the owner of Petworth, the Earl of Egremont; butlers clearly knew everything that went on in their domain! He was warmly thanked for such an entertaining talk before the evening ended with the traditional raffle.
Margaret Rogers
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LINDA NEWELL 13th June 1950 – 1st April 2015
“Fond tributes are paid to tireless volunteer who died suddenly” was Jeff Travis’s headline to Chairman Tony Stimson’s tribute to Linda in The News on Monday 27th April. Linda’s unexpected death was a great shock and sadness to everyone who knew her and her passing will be a great loss to the Trust and museum.
Linda lived most of her life in Emsworth and over the years got to know the town and residents very well. She married Ernest Newell, a local boy, in 1971 and after living for a short time near Chichester they returned to Emsworth and set up home in Highland Road. It was her love of the area that sparked her interest in local history and this became one of her great passions. She enjoyed delving into old records and particularly researching Emsworth’s buildings, families and industries – especially the oyster trade. She had a wealth of local knowledge and was always keen to add to it wherever and however she could.
Linda was born in Kings Lynn, Norfolk: the eldest of two daughters. Her father, Philip, worked for the Postal Service and when she was nine years old they all moved to Emsworth. Linda attended St James’ Primary School, and then went on to Chichester High School for Girls. After completing her A-Levels she worked as a secretary (progressing to the position of Senior Partner’s Secretary) at Dobsons Solicitors in Chichester and worked there until she married. In 1980 she started up a small business making teddy bears and soft toys and selling them directly to the public at craft fairs around the country. Later she worked for the Southern Tourist Board, Havant Borough Council and Chichester District Council in their various Tourist Information Centres.
In 2006, shortly after her book “Images of England: Emsworth” was published, Linda became Emsworth Museum’s Administrator and she took on the task of caring for and displaying the artefacts in the museum. This included rearranging existing displays in the Main Room as well as researching and putting on some of the exhibitions in the David Rudkin Room on such themes as P.G. Wodehouse in Emsworth, the Washington Road School centenary in 2009, Seven Decades of Emsworth People and the Emsworth Improvement Scheme. She also planned and organised the dinner at The Brookfield Hotel together with the museum display to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the museum in 1988. One of Linda’s on-going projects was based on WWI which gave her the opportunity to stage an initial exhibition “The Men of Emsworth who went to War 1914 – 1918”. Following this she gave a talk and at both of these popular events she obtained additional information which she had intended to use for future talks and displays.
Linda’s research gave her the information to write leaflets and books on a variety of subjects such as the War Memorial in The Square and Northlands Nursing Home, “Emsworth’s Plum” and “Uncovering the Past….Emsworth, Oysters and Men”. Another of her major contributions to the Trust has been her summer local history guided walks around Emsworth and her winter talks which have attracted lots of attention.
Linda’s other interests have included the Girl Guides (she served as the District Commissioner for Emsworth for 5 years), needlework and all forms of motor racing – especially historic racing at Goodwood. She helped to organise the very successful Emsworth Food Festivals and for a number of years has been the Secretary of the Emsworth Business Association. Recently she has helped with the Famers' Markets, Emsworth’s British Food Fortnight and Red Nose Day. In addition to her voluntary work she has also been a member of the staff in Bookends and The Brookfield Hotel.
For the past year Linda and Sylvia Courtnage have worked with Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Millstream Productions and local schools on a Heritage Lottery Funded project to produce a film and information packs explaining the local oyster industry. This excellent film can be viewed in the newly named “Linda Newell Oyster Gallery” in the Museum’s Main Room.
A book of condolence has been opened in the Emsworth Museum and will remain open until the end of October. Dorothy Bone
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A Very few of the many tributes we have received about Linda ..
Linda will always hold a special place in my thoughts. She touched an unbelievable amount of organisations from the Museum to being one of the first on board with the original Food Festival and so much more in between. I have worked with Linda on so many Emsworth events and I can honestly say that none of them would have been as successful without her input and hard work. In particular in the last 6 months we successfully won a national competition for Emsworth British Food Fortnight, a wonderful achievement for this community and of course we raised an amazing amount of money for Comic Relief when we became the UK’s First Official Red Nose Town. The last time I saw Linda was in the Square wearing a red nose as we had a picture taken to acknowledge this achievement, I shall treasure that image of her. Linda understood community, she understood and cherished Emsworth and most of all in a place that understood its sense of place, Linda understood and loved her place in it. Allistair Gibson. Emsworth Business Association
Linda worked so hard for Emsworth Museum. She was always cheery and positive and very knowledgeable about Emsworth. She will be sorely missed as Administrator and as a friend. Cathy R Rudkin (Trustee)
Such fun we all had as part of the Lillywhite Gang with your Ernie, Keith and Roger. Happy Days and lately helping me with the Fosters and Reed exhibitions. I shall miss you so much.
Bernie Gudge
Linda was such an energetic, active and competent person that the Museum's loss will be considerable, whoever follows in her footsrps.
John Vickers
A real shame.. Linda was an inspiration to everyone in Chichester Harbour reaching beyond Emsworth. She was a kind, caring and thoughtful person who touched the lives of thousands. Rest in peace.
Richard Austin
“I was very sorry to learn of the sad loss of Linda Newell. She really did contribute enormously to the Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust. I have happy memories of her proudly welcoming me to the museum and I do hope you will pass on my condolences to her family and friends”.
David Willets
Always full of energy and enthusiasm. A wonderful person to work alondside or be around Linda put so much into Emsworth and made a huge difference for so many people. A lovely, kind and special person!
Mike Blatch
Linda - You were my most sensible friend but with a great sense of humour! We worked together on food festivals, Stauton Festival to name but a few. Our last event together was a silent disco for RedNose weekend. Great memories of a really great woman. I shall miss you on “the barricades” but know you'll always be there behind us in the future.
Lulu Bowerman. Emsworth Community Association. Emsworth Business Association
I just wanted to send you my deepest sympathy to you and everyone at the museum with regard to the tragic loss of Linda. The news came as a huge shock to me as she had seemed so full of zest until very recently. I regarded her in many ways as ‘Mrs Emsworth’ as she was such a fountain of knowledge on all things Emsworth related and put her heart and soul into so many projects for the good of the town. I will miss her terribly. In a funny way, it comes as a relief, and should indeed be a lasting tribute to her, that we did the Oyster project when we did. I hope that it will stand up for many years as a testimony to her hard work and dedication.
Dan Musty. Millstream Productions
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Chairman’s Message
It is very sad that we are recording in this Newsletter the deaths of two people who were significant in the life of the Trust.
First, Linda Newell, our Museum Administrator for the past nine years, who died suddenly and tragically on 1 April 2014, just three months before her planned retirement. Elsewhere in this Newsletter, there is a tribute to Linda. To mark Linda’s service to the Trust and to the Museum, the committee decided that as the Heritage Lottery Fund grant funded Emsworth Oyster Project was Linda’s swansong project, it is fitting that the new Oyster Gallery in the Main Room should be named The Linda Newell Oyster Gallery.
Second, Dr Margaret Rule, our President for the past 21 years, died on 9 April 2015. Margaret was 86 and had not enjoyed the best of health in recent times, and also lost her husband, Arthur, in February 2014. Margaret found national and international fame for her involvement in the discovery and uncovering of the Roman palace at Fishbourne and for her pioneering underwater archaeological work on the Mary Rose. Margaret’s husband, Arthur was involved in the early days of the Trust and was our ViceChairman for about a year. Later, when Margaret became our President, they both became staunch supporters for many years. She last visited us at our Reception on 29 July 2013 marking the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Museum and in her address, she spoke of “our gem of a museum”.
Our sympathies and condolences have been sent to Linda’s family. To
date we have been unable to contact Margaret’s family but when we do, our sympathies and condolences will be sent to them.
It was very bad luck that Dorothy Bone had an accident on 14 March and was hospitalised for two weeks. I am pleased to report she is now on the mend, and back home and active, very active, on her computer! We wish her a speedy return to full mobility again very soon.
It was disappointing that the AGM on 16 March 2015 was attended by so few members. Fortunately, there was nothing contentious on the agenda requiring a properly constituted vote. The committee does need the support of the membership on these occasions if we are to avoid the work, expense and complication of some form of postal ballot. It will be much appreciated if you can please endeavour to give the committee your full support at future Annual General Meetings.
Under the terms of Accreditation, all small independent museums, such as Emsworth Museum, must appoint a mentor - a full time museum professional, who will act as a part time, unpaid adviser. I am pleased to report that we have appointed as our new Museum Mentor, Miss Tracy Teasdale in succession to Oonagh Palmer who moved on some months ago. Tracy lives in Emsworth, is professionally employed in the Museums service and is a lovely, bubbly, enthusiastic person keen to give us whatever good advice she can for the benefit of the Emsworth Museum. I am sure she will be an asset to us.
My thanks to all those members of
the committee who have turned to and really helped out in the Museum following Linda’s demise and Dorothy’s accident. In particular, Sylvia Courtnage who has picked up the Oyster Project and is seeing it through to a satisfactory conclusion. Also, Wendy Bright who has done an enormous amount of work in the Museum, with Clive Pugh’s help, including tidying the office. Bob Duncan has also done a wonderful job in putting up additional shelving in the office.
Until Linda’s replacement is appointed and in post, we are maintaining the routine of the Museum being open to Members (not the general public) on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with committee members manning the office on a rota. Both members and the general public are encouraged to visit the Museum on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during May to purchase tickets for the Oysters talk on 18 May.
The sub-committee set up to recruit a replacement for Linda on her planned retirement in June is well on the way to making an appointment. Expressions of interest in the position were received from seven individuals and interviewing will start very shortly of those who have responded positively in the follow up process.
We are now into the summer season and in the thick of stewarding again. My thanks to all those stewards who attended the Museum briefings and Fire Evacuation training sessions in March. My thanks also to Wendy Bright who took over the briefing previously done by Linda. As is so often the case, we would like to welcome more volunteers to join the
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happy band of stewards. Our stewards have fun and enjoy their work so, if you’ve not done it before, why not volunteer for a spot of stewarding.
I am pleased to welcome Bernie Gudge and Barry Mapley who have agreed to act as our Photographic Archivists. We have a huge collection of photographs which few people ever see because we do not know how to find a photo of a
particular subject. With Bernie’s and Barry’s help we will have a new properly indexed system to enable us to find a photo quickly and easily. This will enable stewards and others to respond to a visitor’s enquiry on the spot and help to make the Museum and its records a bigger attraction.
Finally, just a small word of warning should you happen to be walking past the Museum at about 6:30 p.m.
on a Tuesday evening and you hear the Fire Alarm bells ringing. The Museum is not about to be reduced to a heap of smouldering ash but the Fire Service is testing the Fire Alarm systems which are linked between the Fire Station and the Museum. We have a formal agreement in place allowing the Fire Service to do this every week without a representative of the Trust being present.
Tony Stimson. Chairman
Emsworth Celebrates its Military Heritage
St George’s Day Thursday 23rd April
The community of Emsworth once again celebrated St. George’s Day with its annual parade. Emsworthians
are rightly proud of their military neighbours on Thorney Island and St George’s Day gives residents and visitors the opportunity to show their gratitude to the men and women of our armed services for their unstinting dedication to duty and bravery under fire in extremely hostile conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq. As an example Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey, a Hampshire man, has become only the third soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery in Afghanistan.
This year had a special significance with the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, with national celebrations scheduled in May commemorating VE Day, “one of the most pivotal moments in our nation’s proud history,” according to David Cameron. For Emsworth it also has particular significance with the reformation of the Imjin Battery (now part of 12 Regiment based at Thorney Island) and its links with the Korean War. The Imjin Rose also known as the Emsworth Rose was presented to the Imjin Battery and all the veterans marching in the parade.
The Emsworth Rose honours the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Imjin River in the often forgotten Korean War. This battle was a valiant rearguard action to halt the Chinese and North Korean army and was concluded on St George’s Day 1951.
marching with 12 Regiment Royal Artillery and military band of the Royal Artillery through Emsworth. Children also accompanied the parade from Thorney Island Primary School and Emsworth Primary School.
It culminated in St Peters’ Square in front of the Mayor of Havant, Cllr Marjorie Smallcorn and the Commanding Officer of 12 Regiment Royal Artillery. Entertainment included the George Regis Jazz Band and there was a street collection on behalf of local branches of SSAFA.
John Tweddell
The parade commenced at 10.30am with Veterans from various conflicts going back more than 60 years
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Approved by You!
Emsworth Museum made a successful application to this Community Grant Scheme, open to local voluntary organisations that provide a service or specifically benefit residents in the Borough of Havant.
On 24th March 2015 residents in Emsworth and Havant were encouraged to go and vote in person for their chosen charity. Projects were colourfully displayed on 12 stands at the Beacon in the Meridian Centre, Havant, and residents
were given the opportunity to learn about schemes from enthusiastic members. We are indebted to EM&HT members who took the trouble to journey over there and vote for a grant to enable the purchase of a plan chest to store documents, boat plans and maps. As the only Museum in the Borough of Havant, it was also an opportunity to raise our profile in the community.
In the face of strong competition we were delighted to be joint 4th and awarded a grant £262 made available by Hampshire County Council and Havant Borough Council.
Wendy Bright
Forthcoming Exhibitions
23rd May – 28th June “Monty Reed: local teacher 1934 – 1956” Monty Reed was a very popular teacher although a strict disciplinarian. His pupils say that he was an inspirational teacher who always gave time to help them with their academic work but also encouraged them to take part in sport and outdoor activities. He was born in 1913 and after teacher training college started teaching at the Council school in Emsworth in 1934. He also taught at the Church School and Havant’s Bosmere School. During WWII he joined the Navy and, we understand, served on a small cable laying ship (Bullfrog) based in Ceylon. Monty Reed was a keen photographer and the exhibition will consist mainly of his pictures but also some by former pupils. In addition to group class pictures the display will include the school football and netball teams and pupils involved in country dancing and physical training displays, dinghy sailing, swimming, cycling and visits to Kingley Vale and of course his beautiful collie dogs.
4th July – 2nd August “Chichester and District Archaeology Society and the Warblington Roman Villa” by Dr Trevor and Mrs Ann Davies CDAS have excavated at the site of the Warblington Villa complex on four occasions in the last four years – the last time being in 2014. This exhibition will help to explain life in the area in Roman times and how the local sites in Havant and Horndean relate to each other. Recent finds in a garden in Warblington Road will also be included.
7th – 31st August “Celebrating 175 years of St.James’ Church St. James’ Church was built in 1840 at a total cost of £1,900.00 – John Elliott was the architect. It has been extended several times and the addition of a vestry in 1894 completed the building. This exhibition will show how the original structure described as Byzantine Romanesque has changed over the years and the various events and activities that are now held within its walls.
Dorothy Bone
Oyster Industry
Copies of the film on the local oyster industry produced as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded project can now be purchased from the museum at a cost of £5.00.
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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TRUST
Membership Secretary
After 8 years as Membership Secretary, Peter Morse has decided that he would like to spend more time enjoying his other interests – which include sailing and walking. Peter has constantly worked hard to encourage more people to become members of the Trust and this is reflected in the present total of just under 500. He also runs the very successful 50 / 50 Club – which provides several hundreds of pounds each year so that special items can be purchased for the museum. The Membership Secretary has a very important role to play in the efficient running of the Trust and museum. He works closely with the Treasurer particularly at the start of the year when subscriptions are paid. If you think this job might interest you and you would like more information about what it entails please speak with Peter Morse on 01243 697582. He will be happy to discuss it with you.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE MUSEUM
Website Editor
Role: To keep the website news and events sections fresh and up-to-date. To coordinate other volunteer contributors. Previous Experience Required: Surprisingly little computing experience required actually! Essentially word processing knowledge and a keenness to maintain freshness of the website. (Please feel free to speak to Clive Pugh on 01243372400)
Museum Shop Manager
Role: To re-design the Museum shop, and develop its sales and its stock. To coordinate other volunteer contributors. Previous Experience Required: Some basic retailing experience, and experience of, or a wish to develop, internet sales. (Please feel free to speak to Clive Pugh on 01243-372400)
Cheshire Holiday. 14th to 17th September
The National Trust at Snowshill have now decided that they cannot accommodate our coach on the return journey from Cheshire so we have arranged an alternative at Upton House in Oxfordshire which, I am sure, will meet with everyone’s approval. This will be on the way to Cheshire so we will now visit Shugborough on the way back.
Lord Bearsted acquired Upton House in 1927 because he was keen to see his expanding collection paintings and porcelain accommodated under one roof. It was, and is, one of the finest private art collections in England. In 1939
the owners moved out and driven by the need to protect bank staff and assets from the London air raids, M. Samuel & Co. moved in lock, stock and barrel for the duration of the Second World War. The house has been taken back to wartime Britain so that we can see how the bank staff lived and worked in their new surroundings. There are office desks and typewriters in the Long Gallery, just as there were in the 1940s, alongside the world class paintings and porcelain collection. This year, new rooms have been opened, the gardens are enhanced with wartime features and we can now explore for ourselves what happened when ordinary people took over this extraordinary place.
We still have some vacancies for this holiday at £304 per person for two people sharing so please let me know if you would like to join us on this holiday to Upton House, Shugborough, Chester, the Anderton Canal Boat Lift (with cream tea on the river Weaver), and a whole day visit to Quarry bank Mill.
Peter Morse 01243 697582
Upton House
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Guided local walks
Our summer series of evening guided local walks will start on
Monday 11 May, starting at 6pm at the museum door, and there will be one in each month during the summer (ref. Diary). The walks take approximately two hours and the cost will be £2 for members and £3 for non- members. If you are new to the area or are visiting this is a great way to learn about the history of Emsworth or if you have lived here for some time you may wish to refresh your
memories. The walk is not strenuous and we go at a comfortable pace, taking about two hours and of course you may leave at any time on the tour.
Margaret Rogers
INVITATION
Fund Raising Coffee Morning at 3 Swan Close (offKing Street) Thursday 18th June from 10.30 – 12.30 You are cordially invited to come along to meet your friends, drink coffee and watch the tide come in. The views from Bob Duncan’s garden are stunning. Everyone welcome: non members as well as members.
No need to book. No charge for the coffee and cake. Admittance by donation please. All profits will go towards paying the expenses ofrunning Emsworth Museum
and enhancing the displays.
Annual Treasure Hunt
Wednesday 1st July starting from Emsworth Museum at 7.00pm.
The winners of this popular event in 2014 have already planned the route for 2015 and with new people setting the questions each year the challenge is always different. The walking treasure hunt usually lasts for just over an hour at which time everyone returns to the museum to discuss how they got on and get their answers checked. The charge is £1.00 per person which includes a much deserved cup of coffee (or squash) and biscuits whilst the answers are checked - after which the new winners (who set the clues for the following year) are announced. If you’ve never taken part before – put the date in your diary – come along and join in the fun!!! Everyone welcome. No need to book – just turn up.
Dorothy Bone
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50/50 CLUB
Spring-clean!
In anticipation of the Mayor’s Civic visit, Stewards’ training sessions and the opening for the new season, a small group of enthusiastic volunteers came together with polish and dusters to give the Museum rooms extra sparkle! At the same time it gave stewards a chance to get “close up and personal” with the artefacts in the Main Room. Doesn’t it look fun, so why not join us next year?
Wendy Bright
Further Research Regarding two items in the 2014 issue of the Echo.
Following the article about Maisemore Gardens, the Trust has been given a copy of the details of land sales and transfers concerning the area where the Maisemore Gardens estate was built in 1960. The documents cover the period 1900 to 1960, this will enable us to fill in more details of the early history of that area of Emsworth. A short piece by our archivists entitled “One More Pub”, interested me because the Licensee was a Charles Bishop. He was a beerhouse keeper and tailor. I have ancestors by the name of Bishop who were beerhouse keepers in Southampton, they originated from Dorset. When I found that Charles Bishop was born in Wareham, Dorset, I started researching his family to see whether I can claim to have a distant relative who lives in Emsworth!
Geoff Higgins
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ALL ABOARD FOR EMSWORTH OYSTERS!
the Museum where they were greeted by Chairman, Tony Stimson, along with ‘crew members’ Bob Duncan, Clive Pugh – and me. They were able to spend time in the main exhibition area and visit the new oyster gallery.
It was ‘all hands on deck’ at the Museum recently when the Terror skippers and their partners paid a visit as part of a Chichester Harbour Conservancy training day, partfunded by the Heritage Lottery Fund Oyster project. The 28 attendees started their day at the Emsworth Sailing Club with a hearty breakfast and a showing of the Emsworth Oysters film, which was introduced with a talk by Ali Beckett, the project manager. Afterwards, the group ‘came aboard’
The visitors showed a lot of interest in the museum, especially our many exhibits connected with the sea. (For many, including some Emsworth residents, it was their first visit – although several vowed to return.)
Judi Darley, Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s Communities Officer,
said: “We had some very positive feedback. Everyone enjoyed the visit.” The day was a successful part of our outreach efforts and should contribute to increased visitor numbers in future.
Sylvia Courtnage
ARTS TRAIL EXHIBITION
Emsworth Museum was once again one of the venues on the Emsworth Arts Trail. Chris Abel, a fused glass artist, makes an exceptional selection of coastal inspired items using art glass and recycled materials. His display complemented Carol Millard’s paintings which are mainly in acrylic. Her subjects are varied, whatever she finds interesting at the time, but mainly topiary and portraiture. Both have featured on the Arts Trail in past years and are very popular - although this is the first year that Carol has shown her work in Emsworth Museum. The display continues until the 17th May.
Dorothy Bone
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