Page 92 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017

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At the Unveiling of the Thomas Barratt VC Memorial Stone
Staffordshire Regiment Museum
Danielle Crozier
2017 was full steam ahead again in Lichfield. Our schools programme grows stronger each year and we found ourselves turning groups away, which is always a good position to be in. Our volunteer
force continues to go from strength to strength and we thank them for everything they do, which allows us to operate
such a full and varied
programme. As well as
the education sessions
our volunteers also
provide front of house,
research facilities,
collections support and
assistance in running
fifteen different events
throughout the year.
As a thank you for
all their support the
annual trip out this year
was a visit down to the new National Army Museum in Chelsea. Sadly, however we have had to say goodbye to two of our longer standing volunteers this year; Mrs Jean Satchwell and Mrs Kate Thompson who both sadly passed away. Jean had served the museum faithfully for 30 years
and was always there with a fresh brew for us to enjoy, as well as a welcoming smile. Kate was one of our weekend managers and was a tower of support and advice for other volunteers and staff alike.
Our Friends group have been extremely busy this last year recreating a public
air raid shelter in the museum grounds,
making use of an old works substation. It has complemented
our Second World War school visits brilliantly and really enhanced the visitor experience. They have financed
the works themselves through fundraising and grants. A small group of the Friends carried out a sponsored bike
ride from Coventry Cathedral, in memory
of the Coventry Blitz and rode back to the museum to raise funds towards the project. We are very grateful to Mr Dennis Smart, a former North Stafford and member of the Staffordshire Regiment Association, who carried out all the works for them free of
‘Our volunteer force continues to go from strength to strength and we thank them for everything they do’
A future Recruit enjoying the Crich Heritage tent
charge. In his honour the Friends named the facility the ‘Smart Street Shelter’. Their next project is to create a WVS NAAFI caravan which will sit alongside the shelter and can be used to sell drinks and snacks on museum event days. Wing Commander Mike Harris, former Commanding Officer
of DMS Whittington, should also get a mention here for giving us his full support on the project. Throughout his time in post he was keen to preserve and promote the heritage and links associated with the site. As well as allowing us to build the shelter he also fundraised to add flood lighting to the
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