That was the Year that was for Rase Heritage Society
WHAT A year the Rase Heritage Society has had, starting this time 12 months ago with an excellent presentation by David Robinson on the history of the petty sessions held in Market Rasen, with the added bonus of being held in the Old Magistrates Courtroom giving it atmosphere.
He later got members’ support to help transcribe court documents.
In December, Mal completed George’s walk through the town, and this time the technology worked.
Brian Ward’s presentation on Market Rasen Railway Station attracted some new faces and in April, along with a minibus trip to Southwell Workhouse and Minster, the society was about to come of age.
Since the death of Brian Ayre in August 2008 the group had been pondering on the future of his amazing collection that it had come to so belatedly.
“We now received notice of the up-coming auction and felt that we should try to ‘save’ some of the items, but with our limited funds we would have to be selective,” recalls chairman Hazel Barnard.
Adrian Campbell came up with the solution of a pledge scheme and with the Mail’s support pledges were fullsome.
“We were offered a private preview of some of the items, the rest we viewed on the field and in the sheds at the farm, we selected our items and discussed our tactics and I set off for three days of auction, ably supported by Philip, Mal, Caroline, Lisa and Betty, it was fun but tiring.
“After the three days we had spent 84 per cent of the pledge fund, which was called in. Apart from a couple of people, all pledges were met, and a lot of these were at 100 per cent too! Suddenly we had things that needed storage,” said Hazel.
A supporters evening to show what had been bought was a very successful evening, even bringing in a couple more items.
“After the euphoria came the realization that we had moved from being a small casual group, meeting once a month to being a recognised society with items worthy of a museum. I sought grant funding of 745 to start our cataloguing and conserving of our precious items.
“All we needed now was some space to do this in. I approached the town council and asked if the timing was right for a museum in the old police station; it appears not! So I sought other options, one of which is The Hub.
Grant funding from the Lincolnshire Community Foundation’s Grassroots fund has been secured to cover the rental for one year, ‘which will give us ample time to catalogue etc correctly, under the helpful eye of Sara Basquill, collections officer at Lincolnshire Life Museum, and test whether a museum will be welcomed in town.’
“It promises to be a year of learning new skills and should be an exciting time as we all discover how it feels to be a curator.”
The monthly programme continued with an evening visit to Brackenborough Medieval Village and a walk and talk around the outside of De Aston School, and an exhibition in September recalling the outbreak of WWII in Market Rasen 70 years ago.
“Here’s to another eventful year and thank you all for your enthusiasm and commitment,” said Mrs Barnard.
MR Club Heritage Report 1 4-11
The auction of Brian Ayre’s agricultural artefacts from which the Heritage Society gleaned some treasures
MR Club Heritage Report 2 4-11
Among the items picked up by the Rase Heritage Society was the Coates ironmongers' sign, held by Hazel Barnard and Caroline Fisher.
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Weather for Market Rasen
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
