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Children tended
to comment on what they had liked best. Child after child mentioned
the 1940's pram. One child took a longer view when he wrote:
"When I'm older I'll come back and see what's changed."
Many older people were making a nostalgic return to the town
- one wrote simply, "MEMORIES" and one, "Brings
back old feelings". Another wrote sadly: "I miss the
place." Younger adults appreciated the insight it gave them
into the historical background of the area where they lived:
"This is real history, not just Royalty and wars,"
and, "Good to see history kept alive ".
Researchers into
family history were very grateful - "Wonderful discoveries
and stunning help from the stewards", wrote someone from
London. From Maryland: "Someone kindly helped me to trace
my family".
Our exhibitions
during the year, one on Gert and Daisy (Elsie and Doris Waters),
music hall stars who were long term residents, and one of local
maps received many compliments. Many commended the layout and
signage of the collection and the friendliness and helpfulness
of the stewards. The Museum attracted some delightful compliments
- "Passionant" wrote one visitor from Paris, and a
more local one wrote, "A fascinating museum with friendly
and knowledgeable staff'". A Sussex visitor wrote: "Obviously
tended with loving care", and another: "What a delightfully
presented and well put together museum!"
Someone from London
wrote: "The best small museum seen! " and someone from
Cheshire: "One of the best local museums I've had the good
fortune to find." Someone of undisclosed origin wrote: "The
smallest museum in the world and the most friendly." Some
superlatives were more striking - from Milan simply "bello",
from London "enchanting" and from Middlesex "small
but superb". The most comprehensive endorsement came from
Bradford - "Comprehensive, well-organised, helpfully labelled,
informative and entertaining - a credit to its founder and its
helpers". A German visitor wrote: "I loved it! That's
how England should be!" He also wrote: "I think I'll
return." An amazingly large proportion of contributors expressed
this intention - "I can't wait to come back", and many
were themselves clearly repeat visitors - "Always interesting"
and "It improves every time we visit".
All the comments
above relate to 2003/4. However, we still treasure some past
endorsements. Someone in January 2002 wrote: "An hour of
pure pleasure" and another, "I once had gerbils called
Gert and Daisy". But our favourite visitor is still the
Russian who wrote in April 2001: "God bless those who cherish
and honour their past."
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