Page 119 - QDG 2022

Firing Line
Firing Line
The museum and its team have had a busy year yet again. We have seen a slow rise in visitor numbers from overseas and are hopeful that throughout 2023, footfall will continue to approach pre-pandemic levels.
The museum had to close for two weeks in early January 2023 for essential maintenance in the Castle, but our team made the most of this by beginning new exhibitions and ensuring the museum sparkled in time for re-opening!
Day-to-day, the front-of-house team continue to deliver a variety of talks on subjects such as the chronology of helmets, a history of swords and firearms, and – a recent addition – the heritage of flags! In defiance of its newness, the latter has been receiving spectacular reviews.
We hosted several military groups and educational visits in 2022, including the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS). We also continue to deliver outreach visits to schools and local cadet and other youth organisations.
Two particularly out-of-the-usual events happened in 2022. In April, the museum hosted its first hybrid confer- ence/family fun day. We were honoured
by the generosity of historian Gareth Glover who gave a brilliant Saturday afternoon lecture on the Peninsular War. And a special ‘QDG’ shoutout goes to the Colonel of the Regiment, Ian Moore, George Clegg, Martin Gardner, Rob Mansel and Jerome Tyson for leading fantastic seminars on the Cold War, the Gulf War and Iraq and Afghanistan.
Firing Line was then fortunate to receive grant funding for a family fun day and evening concert in August. This was a fantastic day in the height of summer, which ended with sparks and bangs thanks to the inclusion of a fire-eater and fireworks. Esteemed guests included Jane Hutt MS and the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Graham Hinchey.
During 2022, myself and Miss Hannah Searle, the Assistant Regimental Curator, visited the Regiment in March, July and November to carry out our audits of the collection held by the Regiment. Incor- porated in the November visit was a Trustees’ meeting and dinner. As always, the Regiment has continued to go out of its way to support us.
We continue to receive interesting donations to add to the ever-growing collection; if anyone has any artefacts
The day ended with a bang!
that will enhance the collection and that they would be willing to donate, please let us know.
Most of all, we are glad to strengthen relationship between the Regiment and the museum. The museum is free to serving QDGs and Regimental Comrades (please contact me in advance so I can arrange your entry). We are also always looking for volunteers to work in the museum!
Ongoing Items:
Modern Day Regiment Exhibition
This exhibition shows the modern-day equipment that the Regiment uses now and will stay in position for the foresee- able future.
Gulf War 1990/91 Digital Exhibition
Remembering the Gulf war and the Regiments involvement in 1990/91, this exhibition can be viewed online or in the museum.
Regimental Medals Digital Exhibition
This is an interactive exhibition allowing visitors to scroll through the years of conflicts, the medals that were issued, stories of recipients and artefacts that we have on display and in our collection.
The Living Regiment Exhibition
This is an exhibition of the modern-day Regiment; interviews were carried out on several Regimental personalities and will be another interactive exhibition. There are still interviews to be carried out.
Oral History Project
The Trust will be contacting veterans and their families to ask for their participation in our regimental oral history project. We want interesting people with interesting stories!
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
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The Waterloo Exhibition mid-revamp, with some ‘famous’ faces making an appearance behind
Photo Credit: Grant Searle]