We are welcoming in the New Year with a fascinating new exhibition! We’ve called it ‘Mere’s Amazing Neighbours!’ as it shines a spotlight on a few aspects of the history of each of the five parishes surrounding Mere which the Museum also serves. They are West Knoyle, Kilmington, Stourton with Gasper, Maiden Bradley and Zeals. Each of these parishes has at least one remarkable story to tell. One is the tale of a murder of two members of one family by a peer of the realm. Another is about a 16th-century poet, a member of a local family, who may well have known Shakespeare. A third is all about a WWII airfield hacked out of local farmland that was vital for the war effort in the 1940s. Yet another relates the astonishing life history of an very gifted woman as far back as the 12th and early 13th centuries, well before the era of equal pay. What is more, this particular story is tied up with hospitals for female sufferers from leprosy. The fifth parish has two stories! One is about a devastating flood that happened at the beginning of the last century, and the other is an inspiring contemporary story of the creation of a special garden of remembrance. Of course there is much, much more to learn about than simply these tales. Do make sure that you give yourselves lots of time to peruse what we have to show you!
The Friends’ Preview is on Monday January 22nd at 6.30 p.m. at the Museum. We very much hope that lots of you will be able to come!
