Museum Report Louise Stockwin The 2019 visitor season is well under way. Everyone is delighted Steph returned after her maternity leave along with destination team returners Bev, Hayley, Sharon and Catriona, who couldn’t resist another visitor season. It’s also great to welcome three local faces to the team, Phoebe and Will along with Nelly who’s been working away in London and has returned to her childhood haunt, Stoke Bruerne. The first of the region's Customer Service Improvements here was completed at the beginning of June, the refurbishment of the public toilets, a huge improvement. The Trust's rebranding is now evident on all the signage and the investment of Canal & River Trust, smart blue and white parasols, for the picnic benches has proved popular with visitors. This stretch of the Grand Union continues to benefit from the marvellous, monthly upkeep from Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership's task force. Their work along the flight, on the Museum green, including the installation of the region's first children’s mud kitchens, picnic bench staining plus the underplanting and care taken in the woodland walk and wildlife garden is evident and much appreciated. This year the gift shop set aside two book cases to accommodate the offers of preloved books, guides and maps. This is proving popular with both people wanting to rehome their books to good homes. If you have any donations or you have a keen eye
for an interesting bargain, we’d love to see you, between 10am to 5pm any day of the week. Thanks to you, the Friends of the Canal Museum, who continue to support the work here. Two ‘Friends’ have recently been trialling additional activities. ‘You Can Crafts’ short sessions on how to make miniature origami books and pamphlet stitch handmade journals from an assortment of attractive paper and ‘Your Story’ family history surgery in the waterside café have both been enjoyed by visitors. Laura Sturrock provided four free creative workshops and will be back on Sunday 15th September with a crochet workshop, please book a place if you’d like to try it. Lorna York has been helping visitors, new to family history and those who are already researching their ancestors, if you’ve been meaning to investigate yours, pop in on Saturday 28th September from 10.30am. Stoke Bruerne has for a long while been recognised as a pretty and interesting place to visit, irrespective of your waterways knowledge. There is a growing interest from the public, on the positive impact, special waterside places have on everyone’s general health therefore, the destination team would be delighted to welcome you, to this special part of the canal network which you continue to care for.
The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne (The Friends) may not agree with the opinions expressed in this newsletter, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official statement unless so stated. The Friends accept no liability for any matter, errors or omissions contained within this newsletter. We will however gladly publish corrections if notified. The Editor reserves the right to shorten or modify articles published in the interests of space or clarity.
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