One of the main reasons the volunteers were recruited back
in July 2012 was that they would become an integral part of the new Museum
Collections Centre at the Heritage Motor Centre's (HMC) Gaydon site. As with
most big projects, especially where lottery funding and planning is involved,
progress has been slow. However, the builders have now arrived and progress is already
well underway, with completion and opening anticipated for early October. The
volunteers can't wait.
Behind the fence work
is now underway on the new Collections Centre
Meanwhile work continues with our three main projects,
restoration of the 1958 Standard Ensign, vehicle data recording of the Trust's
entire collection and the Oral History project.
The Standard, as explained in previous blogs, was in a very
poor state chassis-wise, but good progress is now being made. This blog will
give an update of the current situation soon.
The data team continues its laborious, but interesting, task
of researching and collating detail on every vehicle in the museum. The fruits
of their labour will greatly enhance the viewing experience of the new
Collections Centre, particularly among the technically minded.
The curator gets an
update from the data team project leaders
Having interviewed HMC-based colleagues and fellow
volunteers, the Oral History team is now busy interviewing people who have an interesting motor industry
story to tell, past or present, as part of the "Car Stories" project
for the new Collections Centre. With the protection of unanimity, great stories
are emerging from those who held roles across the motor industry, from
secretaries to senior managers and shop floor workers.
A volunteer from the
oral history team conducts an interview
If that's not enough to keep us all busy, there's yet more
to do in 2015. Previous blogs explained that volunteers will be very much
involved in the two "Classic Virgin Experience Days", while shortly
volunteers will be going out to the local community to give presentations on
what the new Collections Centre is all about.
Volunteers are now being recruited to help out at the
popular Club Expo on 28th February and more requests will follow for other HMC-based
events. HMC will be announcing future events that they will be attending in due
course and it is more than likely that volunteers will also be asked to assist
at shows and festivals where the HMC has a presence.
So, a busy and exciting year lies ahead. All we need to do
now is to persuade the Tuesday Resto Baker Boys to make a special cake for the
opening of the Museum Collections Centre.
Details of all the activities etc. at Gaydon can be found on
the HMC website here