I've signed up to volunteer at The National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket. There is a big move happening over the next year, which will take the museum from it's current building and turn it into a Heritage Centre in Palace House and some completely new buildings. It's a really exciting prospect for the whole town. The museum is absolutely full with the sporting history and I find it all so interesting. And although, I'm not a native of the town, it also provokes me to feel proud that I'm now part of the place which is the centre of our heritage sport. The more and more I read about the subject I realise how vital English horse racing has been for centuries.
When we moved to Newmarket my mother was instantly inspired to create art based on the colourful silks worn by jockeys. She used the colours and patterns to create a visual and historical archive of Newmarket and The Classic Race winners history. The designs were originally painted in acrylic but are now available to buy as prints, cards and mugs. Over the years she's been producing her art, I've been subjected to her research, and today I am happily helping her do the research because I am fascinated! You can visit her website here!
All this said, you can see now why I'm really eager to start this volunteering! I will be able to be part of moving this huge collection to it's new home, whilst learning important museum skills that may help towards my future. I will have the chance to handle, clean and pack important horse racing items and paintings. Learn how to document, photograph and archive donated collections that have never been seen. Sort and document through a photographic archive of 15,000 images! Although, I feel with the amount of work they actually expect the volunteers to do, they really need the whole town involved, not just 40 people! But they could realistically employ an extra member of staff for all these jobs.....
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