Museum notes

The typewriter was one of the great inventions of the 19^th century. A person using a pen could only write about 30 words a minute.  A good typists could reach 130 words a minute. 

Like any new technology it had its detractors.  Some people were offended to receive typed letters, others complained about the loss of handwriting skills Does this sound familiar?  Its potential wasn’t realised at first either.  The inventor thought it would be used by “clergy and men of letters”.   Instead it revolutionised the office world.

If you are under 40 you’ve probably never tried one and your children may not even know what it is.   We have a lovely old machine in the museum that you can come and try.    

You will quickly appreciate how lucky we are to have computers now and how skilled those typists were.     Do let us know if you manage 130wpm!

The museum is open Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays from  1.30-3.30

It is run by volunteers so if  you are interested in becoming involved contact Derek Wilson 306 9722 or Jo Guscott 027 320 0514

Local artist shows

Local Martinborough artist Kate Caie held an exhibition of her current work at St Andrew’s Hall on 1st June. Her work was entitled Hireth, a Cornish word meaning a sense of loss, loneliness and nostalgia for a place or home that maybe never was. Her installation included a huge knitted jersey which was based on a jersey knitted for her father during the Second World War. Other pieces included collage, painting and photography reflecting a narrative on family stories. The inclement weather didn’t keep viewers away and $200 in profits were raised to provide art supplies to St Andrews School in Nuku Alofa, Tonga which the artist sponsors.

Kate Caie will be taking her exhibition to the UK in July as part of her artist-in-residency in Cornwall.

FIREFIGHTER EMILY ABBOT

Emily will be well known to many of you as one of the smiling faces that greet you from Reception at Martinborough Medical Centre, but not so many will know Emily has been a Firefighter at Martinborough for just on 3 years.  Emily’s partner Rob Brown is also a volunteer and a paid Firefighter.

Emily was motivated to join when she was living close to the station and regularly heard our siren calling members to action, and thought she had something to contribute and would be challenged by offering her services. She says that she has felt fully supported throughout her induction and training and really enjoys helping people, often when they are having a really bad day, along with working alongside the close crew from the Martinborough Brigade. … Continue Reading

FOOD – ITS FUNDAMENTAL

We all eat it, it is fundamental to our survival, but did you know that food waste is also one of the major contributing factors to climate change?

Over the past few weeks I’ve been collecting food waste from a local cafe and bringing it home to feed my chickens.

FACT: Eggshells help add calcium to compost. Calcium is an important nutrient which helps plants build cell walls.

The Village Cafe was more than happy to put as many aside as I’d need. Which led me to the question: What do you usually do with them and the the rest of the food waste? What doesn’t go home for Chris’s compost, goes to  the bin = landfill. … Continue Reading