DCMVOX #016 March 2017

#016 – March 2017

Dorset County Museum Volunteer Newsletter Dates for Your Diary: HARDY TALK Thursday 2nd 7.30pm Jonathan Godshaw Memel: Hardy and the Victorian School Mistress ARCHAEOLOGY Friday 3rd - 7.00pm Dr Kate Verkooijen Tears of the Sun— Bronze Age Amber Spacer Beads GEOLOGY REVEALED Wednesday 8th 7.00pm Late Triassic Mass Extinction Event and its Aftermath.

Prof. Richard Twitchett LUNCHTIME CONCERT Thursday 16th 1.00pm to 2.00pm Dorchester Piano Quartet

Welcome to Issue No.16 of DCMVOX… We are very conscious that the Library has been used for meetings on a very regular basis over the last few months preventing access by staff, volunteers and most importantly, Members of the Society. Huge thanks to Brenda for her tolerance and for her team of volunteers who have re-organised themselves to accommodate this need—we are very grateful!

Dippy on Tour 10th February to 8th May 2018 —Volunteers Needed!

We’re expecting this free exhibition to attract big crowds, and that means we are actively looking for volunteers during Dippy’s stay to help us in lots of different and interesting roles from Front of House and the tearoom, to stewarding in the galleries, to running family craft activities and educational sessions.

You would need to be available during the period 10th February to 8 th May 2018, and be able to offer at least six sessions (morning, afternoon or evening). In addition, before Dippy’s arrival we will be running training days for all existing and new volunteers which you would need to attend. Days and times are yet to be confirmed.

If you’d like to be involved with Dippy on Tour, please contact Cathy Breward for more details on volunteeringasst@dorsetcountymuseum.org. Over the next few months there will be publicity going out to encourage new volunteers to step forward, as we will need lots of volunteers on the ground to run Dippy On Tour successfully. Do feel free to mention this opportunity to any friends or family who you think may be interested in this unique experience (they must be over 18). We look forward to hearing from you!

Staff Update—We are delighted to welcome:   

Claire Bell to the Visitor Services Team. Claire will work primarily in the Tea Room on Saturdays.

David James—Commercial Director (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) Lucy Johnston—Curator of the David West Temporary Exhibition

Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset Update ...

Main Exhibition: 4th February to 5th March MIX Artwork by Maddy Down, Helen Francis and Peter Runeckles

Tea Room 16th January to 1st April Merrily Harpur

Where we are… 

Focus groups are currently being held throughout the county to engage with a wide range of people about the latest concepts for the new galleries. If you are yet to see them, the latest gallery concepts are currently being displayed in the Victorian Gallery and we would love to hear your thoughts on them.  The whole project team is working full steam ahead for the upcoming Stage 2 submission to the HLF in May. Please be aware that Jon will be extremely busy over the next few months due to the demands of writing this application and may not be available as normal. However, David James has been newly appointed as our Commercial Director, and will be taking on some of Jon’s normal roles during this time. David will be in the Museum on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to assist you with any enquiries or tasks you may normally require Jon for.

Please visit www.tomorrowsmuseumfordorset.org and sign up to the e-newsletter for the latest Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset news Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA Tel: 01305 262735 - www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

Visitor Quote of the Month: From Oscar aged 5 and 20 days—It was nice.

My Favourite Object—Flesh Hooks Richard Breward, Honorary Curator of Archaeology There are so many objects from which to choose but I think my favourite has to be the “flesh hook”. This was found as part of a hoard at Winfrith Newburgh and given to the museum by Mr Weld in 1934. Only 36 have been found in Europe and of those only three of this type and complete apart from the shaft, have been found in England. They are thought to have been used as goads, for pulling flesh off meat in a pot, or for pulling leathers out of the tanning vats. The favourite is pulling meat off bones as a number have been found in association with cauldrons. The example in the collection has a modern wooden shaft on which the four rings found with the flesh hook have been mounted. The example in the collection is of a Class 3 flesh hook of elaborate design and two or three prongs.

The mystery about the flesh hook is that no-one really knows how it was used or the purpose for what it was used. There are many unanswered questions. For example, if they were a necessity for eating meat, why have so few been found in England?

What was the purpose of the four rings? In the days when metals were comparatively rare, why put in into something utilitarian rather than the more usual weapons or jewellery or ritual?

All Volunteers Please Note

A Note from Helen Sergeant Thank you for all my absolutely lovely presents. I was completely bowled over …. It’s all been a bit like weirdly being at my own funeral and people saying lovely things and getting great presents – It will never happen again in my life and I’m incredibly lucky to have had the experience !

With effect from 3rd February, there is a freeze on nonessential expenditure. 

Thanks to your contribution, we were able to present Helen with: Waterstones gift voucher (£50), White Stuff gift

voucher (£65), White stuff make-up bag, Handmade fabric bag, Handmade fabric key ring, Set of four mugs from the museum shop, “Dorset” fridge magnet, Fashion timeline journal, William Morris notebook for signing.

Anna



Volunteers must not make any purchases on behalf of the Museum without prior permission. This means a signed P.O. form completed and signed by Jon or Kath before ordering.

Anybody purchasing without authorisation may be liable for that debt.

Missing Books— Antiquary Our catalogue card says we have Volume I, 1880 to Volume LI 1915, but Volume II and Volumes IX to XXX are not on the library shelves.

Does any other collection have a shelf with these volumes or know anything about them, please?

Brenda Turnock

Volunteers Needed Maintenance, Front of House and Tea room We continue to require cover for both Maintenance and Front of house. We URGENTLY need a volunteer for Saturday mornings in the Tea room. If you, or someone you know, is interested in having some shifts, please get in touch with: Jill Minchin on volunteering@dorsetcountymuseum.org

Welcome to our new volunteers….

We continue to receive applications from folk interested in joining our Volunteer team, and this month we welcome as newly accredited volunteers John Stuart, who has joined Ken’s Merry Maintenance Men, and

from Dr Janet Davis who by joining our Natural History team, has increased its membership from two to three. Many thanks to you both and we hope you will enjoy a long association with us.

We still have vacancies in almost all departments, and with the ‘Dippy’ exhibition time coming

ever nearer, we shall need a great many more—so spread the word amongst your family and friends, please.

Jill Minchin, Trustee & Volunteer Co-ordinator

Calling all Volunteers Tours of All Saints and Old School   

Tuesday 28th March Tuesday 25th April Tuesday 16th May

9.30am; 10.00am and 11.00am Booking essential (01305 756827)

Refreshments in the Victorian Hall from 9.00am

If you would like to receive this newsletter by email please send your contact details to Anna Butler on secretary@dorsetcountymuseum.org