Dear volunteer, supporters & friends of the Museum
January 2024 Update
The Museum has got off to a good start to 2024 – two talks have already happened! The first one was John Stedman giving his ever-popular “What the Hunts did for Earls Colne” in a new venue – the Atlas Social Club in Foundry Lane. The club – founded, of course by the Hunts – has linked with the Museum to explore and retain the heritage of the Atlas Works. The talk was very warmly received by over 30 members & friends, and we will be holding further talks at the Club – see below!
Next, I was invited to speak to the Colne Valley Classic & Vintage Car Club who hold their meetings at Great Maplestead. The topic was “Earls Colne in World War 2” with a request to focus on the airfield. This was very timely, as we had just received the kind donation of Lt Robert Ransom’s uniform and military effects – see below. The talk went well, and we received both a club and a kind personal donation to help support the Museum.
Lt. Robert Ransom USAAF
In January, by the kind agreement of his daughters, Karen and Roberta, we received from the USA the uniform and effects of Lt Robert Ransom, who flew 50 bombing missions from Earls Colne 1943-44 as part of the 323rd Bomber Group in a B-26 Marauder “Hades Lady”. Then by the kind offer and support of Malcolm Hobbs, these have now been placed on permanent display in the reception of the Essex Country Club on the Airfield Business Park. Entrance to view these – and other memorabilia – is open to all.
Hunts BMO Corn Crushing Mill
In November we became aware of a Hunts corn crushing mill lying in a derelict barn in Great Leighs and heading for the scrapheap. By excellent liaison with the Friends of Alderford Mill, http://www.alderfordmill.org.uk/about/ we are very pleased that this has now been saved and moved to the Water Mill by the Friends – they are looking forward to restoring it this Spring!
We regularly receive reports – from Aberdeen to Australia – of Hunts machinery both still in use and on display – do let us know if you see any!
Future events
Thursday 15th Feb – Earls Colne and WW2 – I will be giving this talk at Halstead Local History Society 7.30pm Halstead Baptist Church, Hedingham Road. Non-members may attend – £5 entrance. Please do come support our fellow Museum & local history society as well as giving me some friendly faces in the audience! https://www.halsteadhistory.org.uk/programme.html
February Date TBC. St. Andrews Church TBC – John will give an afternoon talk – “What the Hunts did for Earls Colne”. Further information shortly.
Saturday March16th -FarmMachineryPreservationSocietyhttps://www.fmps.org.uk/– will be visiting the Museum – guided walk around the Works, followed by talk & tea at the Atlas Social Club. There will be a few spaces available for museum supporters to join this talk.
Tuesday March 19th 7.30pm – Earls Colne and WW2 – Fordham Local History Society https://www.fordhamhistorysociety.co.uk/ Fordham Village Hall
Saturday March 23rd 7.00pm Atlas Social Club Jan Cole of the Hedingham History Group will give a talk: ROYALISTS & ROUNDHEADS: Hedingham, Halstead, Earls Colne & Colchester in the English Civil War, 1642-1649. This will be a very interesting talk indeed.
Looking ahead – Saturday 1st June, Village Hall – WW2 commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.
& more in the pipeline!
Many thanks
Gordon Brown
Chair https://echm.org.uk/
Reminder: The Museum is Open Sat & Sun 2-4 – do visit!
