New Acquisition
We have a fine new addition to our collection of local Friendly Society material, in the form of a member’s staff, or stave, with a superb brass head. This unique design was used by a small group of 19th century local societies active in the villages of Farrington Gurney, Ston Easton, Chewton Mendip and Litton. The brass polehead is stamped with the member’s name, J PAINE. It will be mounted on display next to the Friendly Society exhibition case on the ground floor.
New Displays
The mezzanine floor of the museum is currently the focus for development. The intention is to create new displays on the themes of health, social care and religious life on the coalfields.
Objects are currently being prepared for the new displays. These include a huge Sunday School banner from Coleford which is shown in the image below undergoing restoration by Textile Conservation Ltd. Restoration of the banner has been made possible with the aid of a substantial grant for remedial conservation from the Association of Independent Museums / Pilgrim Trust Grant Fund with additional support from the Rackvernal Old School Hall Trust (ROSH).
The banner is being conserved with the aid of a grant from the AIM Pilgrim Trust Conservation Scheme
