Rushden Research Group: FORM - Friends Of Rushden Museum

FORM - Friends Of Rushden Museum

Sunday June 30th 2002 was one of the major events held - a 'Country Day' with bygones, farming machinery, classic cars and motorbikes, with a range of stalls, and homemade refreshments.

The event was held courtesy of Joy and Nick Holt at their home 'Ravensoake' in Bedford Road.

	Country Day for Susan 30th June 2002 Nick Holt welcomes the visitors and declares the event open, watched by Susan's husband, Mick Hollowell.
		Above: some of the vintage motor cycles Below: as the train goes by the motor cycles Below left: visitors enjoying their refreshments

Evening Telegraph, July 10, 2002, transcribed by Kay Collins

Tribute day for Susan boosts museum hope - A Country Day in memory of a leading volunteer worker helped raise money for a new museum in Rushden.

Hundreds of people visited exhibitions, bygones and stalls at Ravensoake Farm, in Bedford Road, Rushden, in memory of Susan Hollowell.

DELIGHT - from left, FORM trustee Clive Wood receives the cheque from Mr Holt, on tractor, watched by Mrs Hollwell's children, Sarah Peacock, Rachel Roberts and Edward Smith

Mrs Hollowell, who died earlier this year aged 63, was a tireless fundraiser and organiser for many community groups and activities. She was a member of the Friends of Rushden Museum (Form), which is trying to set up a heritage museum in the town.

Form is still looking for premises in Rushden in which to display memorabilia about town author HE Bates, the boot and shoe industry and other facets of Rushden history.

Mrs Hollowell's daughter Sarah Peacock said: "The Country Day" for Susan raised £1,187 which was brilliant. There were vintage cars, a race around the fields on tractors, antiques and lots of different stalls."

Mrs Peacock thanked everyone who attended and helped, and also Nick and Joy Holt who live at the farm.

The Museum was opened in May 2006, after several years of fund raising.

On May 8th 2009 the trustees and members of FORM - Friends Of Rushden Museum - met to celebrate the opening of the newly extended museum and the new exhibition for the season "Gas Masks to Gravy Legs". Rushden during the second World War was the main theme supplemented with a display of Robert Marriott Ltd, builders, assembled by Clive Wood, Milkmen in Wartime assembled by Eric Fowell, a display of wartime toys by Jim Osborne and wartime memorabillia was displayed by the Collectors' Circle. A ceremony to unveil a plaque to commemorate the founder was also held.

Rushden Museum