Page 77 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

Harry Challinors’ medals now on display at the museum
home town of Runcorn, Runcorn Council asked local artists to submit designs for
the proposed statue. Garrett made a submission which involved the creation of a number of preparatory works, unfortunately, although of an excellent standard, his design was not selected. In clearing his studio ready for a move to Europe he decided to offer a small statue and a bust of ‘Todger’ made as part of his preparatory submission, to the Museum. They will be placed on display shortly.
While there have been too many lovely donations in the past year to list them all individually, other new acquisitions recently displayed include the medals and beret of Charles Sullivan. Charles, a D-day veteran who served with the 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment sadly died in August of this year just a few days after his 100th birthday. We have also received a very nice Cheshire Yeomanry embroidery dating to the Second World War. The embroidery was a gift to Vice-Admiral Sir Peveril William-Powlett
during his time with Dartmouth Naval College at Eaton Hall near Chester (1943- 46).
While the museum remains closed to the public at this time the Museum staff are busy behind the scenes and have recently been working on the ongoing task of photographing every single item both on display and in storage. Progress is slow – but we will get there!
We have also begun organising the
new education store room in the recently vacated club kitchen. The store will be next to the club rooms where our education sessions take place. This will be ready in the New Year and hopefully we will soon be able to welcome groups to the museum very soon.
During the first lockdown we were contacted by a representative from St Andrews United Reformed Church in Handbridge. Unfortunately, the Church was to be closed due to a dwindling congregation, the last few parishioners
were greatly concerned what would happen to a number of War Memorials within
the Church. Could we help? Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was touch and go whether the memorials could be rescued before the building was sold. Fortunately, Joe, Geoff and Nick were able to access the church and bring two memorials and a lectern dedicated to four servicemen killed in World War Two back to the museum where they will be preserved for the future.
Alex Clark, Museum Assistant, with the Depot mail bike and letters produced by pupils from St Marys College, Liverpool. During ‘In Their own Words’ exhibition
Harry Challinor
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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