The War Weekend in Pickering proved to be a very busy one. Our reception desk volunteers coped admirably with the volume of visitors and re-enactors who took advantage of the special weekend half price entrance charges to take a look at what the Museum had to offer. Demonstrations by our Printers and Blacksmith interested young and old; whilst wartime food rations were on display in the Grocer's shop in the Museum's gallery.  Taped music from the 1940's was played in the Museum foyer providing an air of reminiscence. Several School parties visited us during the week and were held spellbound by the true stories of one of our own volunteers who himself was an evacuee during WW2. At present we have an on-going exhibition about a young lady called "Dolly Shepherd". A very adventuresome young woman who in the summer of 1911 at the Pickering Gala stunned the crowds by taking to the air by hot-air balloon, holding onto a bar with one hand and waving to the crowds below with a small silk flag in the other hand.  She descended by parachute wearing her famous Knickerbocker suit shocking the ladies in the crowds below with her mode of dress.

A daring young lady indeed. The exhibition includes many photographic displays. There is also another exhibition called Remembrance open from the 7th November until 13th November when we close the Museum for its annual winter clean-up.  This exhibition reminds us yet again of the loss of our loved ones during the First world war, many of whom are still remembered by the Pickering Community.

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. until the last entry at 4.15pm. 13th November is when the Museum will be closed for the winter.

We wish you all The Compliments of the Season and hope you will visit us when we re-open in the New Year.

 Margaret Jenkinson.