Join us on Saturday 19th April at 10am at the Axminster Heritage Centre for the launch of our new temporary exhibition: ‘Axminster at War, 1939 – 1945’, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
10am – 4pm
FREE ENTRY FOR EVERYONE.
Not only will we be joined by Axminster Town Crier, Nick Goodwin and Town Mayor, Jill Farrow at 10am along with the Axminster Royal British Legion (who will have a stall inside the museum all day), we are delighted that we also have two special ladies officially opening our exhibition – Maggie Rowe and Diana Courtenay-Smith. Both ladies were children during the Second World War (Maggie in Axminster and Diana in Portsmouth) and them being here is a pertinent reminder of how WW2 affected the lives of everyone – young and old alike.
We are also delighted to announce that talented local vocalist, Jay Hobday will be performing songs from the 1940s for us at 10:30am – 11:15am in the museum courtyard, but if the good old British weather has other ideas for us then we will move indoors!
After the opening festivities you are free to view the exhibition and the accompanying items from our collection including an original 1940s Home Guard overcoat and tunic belonging to Axminster resident, Dick Snell, a baby’s Mickey Mouse gas mask and a collection of WW2 lapel and pin badges.
‘Axminster at War, 1939 – 1945’ has been curated by our Centre Manager, Nigel Sadler who will be on hand to answer any questions and talk more about the exhibition and what life was like for those who eighty years ago lived, fought and died for their country and the freedom we enjoy today.
