Wincanton Museum is to be Reborn
Until 2010 Wincanton Museum operated from a cottage in the High Street. Our landlords were the Quakers, who were highly supportive while the Museum was there. However, changes in Charity Law precipitated them to decide to adopt different plans for the property and the Museum was unable to remain in that site.
As a result we entered into discussions with the Somerset County Council Libraries Department and our chairman, Dr Terry Stanford, is able to report that a very good offer has been received from them.
This means it is possible the Museum can be reformed and will occupy a useful space within Wincanton Library. Terry has also been pleased to report that the Libraries Department has been very helpful and that both the Museum and the Library see distinct synergies in their respective operations and displays.
Separate talks have also begun with Wincanton Town Council. Again the Museum is extremely encouraged with the supportive attitudes that have been shown.
There remains just one hurdle. In order to comply with “Duty of Care” responsibilities, and meet the requirements of the insurers, it will be necessary to have a steward in attendance during the Museum’s opening hours. The Museum can possibly operate as often and as long as the Library doors are open. However, the eventual times will be dependent on the volunteer support levels.
Terry reports that, “We were very lucky to have a band of cheerful and knowledgeable stewards when we were in place in the High Street and we hope they will all, together with new volunteers who have come to live here, think about coming to join us in what we see as an exciting and useful future. A town like Wincanton deserves good community and educational services and we see the Museum as making an important contribution towards this.”
It is planned that an information and questions evening will be organised very shortly. This will be well publicised. So if anybody is interested in joining us the Museum committee members will be very happy to meet you on the evening. Otherwise do not wait. Just contact Terry Stanford on 01963 31665 .
The Museum organises public talks on interesting topics of local and historic interest. These number approximately eight per year.
Hello
You have in your archives a contribution from Jennifer Newland posted on 14 Dec. 2009 about the DAY family of Wincanton (Jennifer is a great grand daughter of Jack Morris Day and Maude Farrall).
I am related to Jennifer and wish to contact her. Can you e-mail her details to me please? If you have a confidentiality bar on doing this, would you please be kind enough to e-mail this message to her for me.
Many thanks
Chris Farrall
Chandlers Ford, Hampshire
02380 275401
I have recently been given two original programmes titled ‘ Wincanton and District Warship week’ for February 7th to 14th 1942 and Wincanton and District ‘Wings for Victory Week’ April 10th to 17th 1943.
I was wondering if they might be of any use for your museum, if so I would gladly send them on to you. If not maybe you may know of someone who would like them as I wouldn’t want to throw them away.
Regards
Mrs A Lucas
I would be grateful if any member of the society could advise me as to the location of the births, deaths & marriages registers for the Church of St Peter and St Paul. My paternal great-grandmother, Anne Marie Radford (variantly Anna, Maree, Maria) was born Wincanton c. 1805, the daughter of the Vicar, John Radford. In 1832 she and her sister Mary voyaged to Australia on the “Royal Admiral” accompanying convict women and in Hobart she married the Captain, David Fotheringham. She later returned to Devon & Somerset with her sons John David (who has baptised in the church) and Peter. I plan a visit to your region in May 2012 to research my family history and would welcome any assistance in this regard.