Rushden Research Group: Museum 2009

Rushden Museum 2009


Sarah Peacock (centre) chairman of the Museum about to address the guests. l-r: Simon Peacock, Mayor Barbara Jenney, Sarah, Alan Peacock and Mayor's Consort David Jenney	After declaring the Museum open, the Mayor and Sarah unveil the plaque to Susan Hollowell the founder of the museum, watched by Simon Peacock. Susan was Sarah's mother and Simon's grandmother.

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.

This is the fourth season of displays at the Museum. The exhibits were favourably commented on by the assembled members and other guests. The Mayor, Councillor Barbara Jenney cut the ribbon to allow the guests to go in through the new doorway, constructed as part of the extension and alterations. Once inside she performed another ceremony by unveiling a plaque with Sarah, to commemorate the founder.


The guests assemble outside the new entrance	Eric Fowell - President of the Museum watches proceedings

Part of the Marriott exhibition - they celebrated their centenary in 1990 as the flag on the left declares	The boards high on the right list the award winners at the Boot and Shoe School - acquired this year

This year has also seen the IT Kiosk installed in the Museum by Rushden Research, and the Rushden Boot and Shoe School awards boards which had been displayed at Wellingborough Technical College since the Boot and Shoe School moved there in 1975.

The plaque in memory of his grandmother Susan Hollowell, was arranged by Simon Peacock, as a surprise for his mother.

Simon arranged for Clive Wood to prepare and paint the sign.

The display about Milkmen during WWII

In the corner guests are studying the new IT Kiosk

Presented to the museum in 2009 :

Evening Telegraph, July 2009, by Zara Gaspar

A MEDAL that represents an important part of Rushden's musical history has been donated to the town's museum.

Rushden Museum is now the proud owner of the medal George Sayers won when he came first at the 1947 All England Brass Band Championship for euphonium players at Westminster Hall for his rendition of The Carnival of Venice.

Mr Sayers was a clicker for Sanders & Sanders and a prominent member of the Rushden Temperance Band.

His wife, Rene Sanders, recently passed away and the medal was left to his nieces and nephew, who decided to donate it to the museum.

Nieces Pat Cumberland and Janet Denny presented the medal to the museum yesterday.

Janet Denney and Pat Cumberland
with Kay Collins of Rushden Museum

Mrs Cumberland, 67, of Rushden, said: "We thought it would be a good idea to hand it into the museum rather than just have it languishing in a drawer. It will not only add to the brass band display the museum already has, but will be a way for the town to remember our uncle.

President of the museum Eric Fowell was thrilled to receive the medal.

He said: "Mr Sayers' family thought it would be nice to present the medal to the museum, where people can see it instead of just keeping it for the family, hidden away in a drawer.

"We are highly delighted that the medal is coming our way Brass banding in Rushden is a very important part of our history.

"We have so many bands, including the Salvation Army band, the Town and Mission bands and the Temperance Band. It is a part of our past and it is still very important today.

"As well as a record of Rushden's history this is about remembering a great man.

"It caused quite a sensation when Mr Sayers won the award. He was a brilliant soloist and won many awards, but this was his greatest achievement and we are thrilled to be able to show it to the people of the town."

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