Meet the Team
During this time of isolation and social distancing, relying on digital technology to communicate has never been more important, and we wanted to help curb any loneliness and boredom with a series of blogs about our team. The team were asked a series of questions to answer so you can get to know them better. Next time you visit our museum in Tewkesbury, perhaps you’ll remember the name and the face of one of our staff members, helping you feel more connected to our property.
So without further ado, let us introduce to you…
- Name:
Simon Lawton
- What is your position at the John Moore Museum (JMM)?
I am the Curator
- How long have you worked at the museum?
27 Years (cradle to grave)
- What is your favourite thing about working (or best memory) at JMM?
Favourite thing: Being in such historic buildings with the backdrop of Tewkesbury Abbey, plus the fascinating characters who walk through the doors (and that includes our brilliant team of volunteers).
- What is your favourite quote by John Moore?
The following piece from Portrait of Elmbury (published in 1945) is very evocative and reminds us of that very English Town and thought provoking tradition of having the wealthy and the destitute existing cheek by jowl. John’s writing is not preachy and all the more powerful for it.
‘…. even among Elmbury’s slums, Double Alley was something to be wondered at. Respectable women drew their skirts closer about them as they passed its nauseous opening; even the doctor and the priest were unwilling adventurers on the rare occasions when they were summoned to visit it; and policemen, who were more frequent visitors, took care to go in pairs when their duties took them there.
One of the most extraordinary things about Double Alley was that little children who lived within it would run about naked, in the full light of day. This served to sharpen the impression which the place gave to strangers, that it was populated by fiends.
We children [John & his sister Daphne] had no such illusion. We knew very well that the inhabitants of Double Alley were flesh and blood. (The blood, indeed, was only too evident on Saturday nights). Their too human frailties were daily manifested to us. We knew the names, the relationships, and a large part of the life histories of almost all that piteous riff-raff. The ragged women, the drunken men, the screaming wanton wenches, the rickety children, were more real to us than many of our relations.’
- What is your favourite object in the museum’s collection?
Whoa, that’s like asking someone which of their children they love the best. If pressed though, I do have a soft spot for this noble cormorant.
Cormorant
- What do you do during the closed winter season?
Due to the nature of the museum buildings it is difficult to close off sections to install new exhibitions whilst we are open 5 days a week. The winter provides us with the opportunity to change the displays to give the museum a new look for the next season. This is also the time for a spot of good old fashioned museum housekeeping (those display cases won’t clean themselves – if only).
Given the many threats posed to our taxidermy collection by excessive heat, humidity, light and pests (carpet beetle, clothes moths etc.) we inspect our objects for signs of deterioration or infestation (this is actually more fun than it sounds) We also must not forget the annual stock take, if you haven’t counted stretchy dinosaurs then you haven’t lived!
- What is the most memorable museum moment you have experienced? (It doesn’t have to be from your museum)
Too many to choose from, but sitting in the Old Baptist Chapel (circa April 2016) after all the restoration work had finished and the new displays were in place and waiting for the first visitors to arrive was pretty special and very rewarding. It had been such a team effort (our brilliant volunteers once again) and it was great to see how it had paid off.
- Why did you decide to work in the heritage sector?
The Miami Dolphins already had a decent quarterback, so heritage was the obvious choice. You have to work in a sector that interests you, and if you love history then this is a good one to go for (infinite variety and a chance to work in some amazing places with cool stuff – aka museum objects).
- What project(s) or exhibition(s) can visitors look forward to seeing in the future at the John Moore Museum?
Given the current public health emergency we are not exactly certain what our opening arrangements will be for 2021 (details will be published on our website as the situation becomes clearer).
Next year visitors will be able to see a new display of archaeological finds from the Tewkesbury Abbey Meadow excavation conducted by Gloucestershire Archaeology in 1992. The meadow is owned by the Abbey Lawn Trust who manage the museum. On the ground floor we have installed new panels showing images of our historic 15th century buildings both pre and during their restoration in the late 1960s/early 1970’s.
Also expect to hear some new information about the Old Baptist Chapel (older than we thought!)
Thanks for reading this blog and hope that you are staying safe and well.
Recent Comments