June has been quite a busy month. The Soap Box Derby held in the Hall Park, and the Windrush Event and the Mission Band in the Walled Garden brought extra visitors to the museum. The lovely weather has also meant more people in the park. The Lego pig was added to this year’s exhibition at the beginning of June.
Lego Pig
Committee Meeting
At the committee meeting on 5 June suggestions were put forward for Party in the Park day, and there was some discussion about the exhibition for next year, but no definite decisions were made. Our entries for the Heritage Awards to be held at Wicksteed Park on 9 July have been sent in, so fingers crossed for that. We have entered the “Best Exhibition” category, and the “Best Volunteer Project.”
Platinum Jubilee Mosaic
The Platinum Jubilee mosaic, which has been covered for several months disappeared for a few days, but has now been returned, completely protected and the plaque added at the side. It looks good and makes all the work that went into it worthwhile.
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee mosaic, designed by the late Clive Wood, on the wall outside the museum
Thursday Work Days
We had an inspection by the Fire Safety Officer and that went well with only a couple of things to sort. We also had a visit from the Work Experience Co-ordinator of Isebrook SEND School, with a view to one of her students working with us on Thursdays, starting in September. He will be visiting us within the next few weeks so we are looking forward to meeting him.
Our Collection
Our IT expert spent some time with us last Thursday, so the computer is sorted and the Modes catalogue is working well. The touch screen which shows “Our Collection” was updated and unfortunately decided not to co-operate. Some of the presentations are working, others are not. Hopefully it will be sorted within a few days. Below are two items which can be found on our touch screen in the Domestic Items presentation.
Hot water bottle by George Mence Smith
Spedeweve Darner c1950
Cataloguing
Work continues in sorting and cataloguing the photos and items bequeathed to us. One of the items catalogued this month is the Pifco Trouser Presser which was recently donated, and the framed picture of Church Street from among the items bequeathed to us.
Pifco Trouser Presser recently donated to Rushden Museum
Church Street, Rushden
Donations during June
One item donated to the museum during June is a leather skiving machine made by Cox & Son Ltd., Rushden. The machine has been restored so is in very good condition. It is also very heavy. Cox & Son Ltd. later became Cox & Wright Ltd.
The leather skiving machine made by Cox & Son Ltd.
Social Media
The most popular photo on Facebook during June shows the bottom of Wellingborough Road before the Duck Street roundabout was built.
Wellingborough Road
The most popular photo on Instagram shows the corner of Fitzwilliam Street and Wellingborough Road, and the house that used to be Blousic Dairy. Houses are now built on the site and there is no phone box and no seat.
The corner of Fitzwilliam Street and Wellingborough Road