Photo - Alan Mak opens Emsworth Museum (L-R: Steve Chesney, operator of Emsworth Oyster Boat “Terror” / Alan Mak MP / Richard Austin, Chichester Harbour Conservancy / Tony Stimson, Chairman, Emsworth Museum)
Havant MP Alan Mak has opened The Emsworth Museum for the 2016 summer season at an official ceremony at the iconic building. Mr Mak cut the ribbon to a new exhibition celebrating the 10th anniversary of the relaunch of the historic sailing boat Terror.
Mr Mak spoke at the opening of the summer season, on Easter Saturday 26 March, that will begin with a free exhibition in the David Rudkin Room that celebrates the 10th anniversary of the relaunch of the famous oyster boat Terror. The historic boat was built in the 1890s to support Emsworth’s oyster dredgers but soon fell victim to the declining industry in the early 1900s.
It is ten years since Terror was pushed back into the water following a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which allowed an imaginative restoration. Terror now provides a unique sailing experience for visitors to Emsworth and she is expected to be well-used over the imminent summer season.
The boat has been certified to carry passengers in Chichester Harbour and is now run by volunteers through the charity Friends of Chichester Harbour and the kind support of Emsworth Yacht Harbour.Her upkeep is financed solely by the income from fee paying passengers. Terror now offers a unique sailing experience in the beautiful surroundings of Chichester Harbour which was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964.
The exhibition is free to all visitors and will run on every weekend between 26th March and 17th April 2016. The summer season calendar also includes a distinctive set of prints by painter and sculptor Deborah Richards (23rd April – 15th May), and the Emsworth Art Trail (23rd April – 2nd May).
Following the opening ceremony, Havant MP Alan Mak said: “I was delighted to open the summer season programme at the historic Emsworth museum. The museum has a full and exciting programme of free events over the coming months, and it is great to see this local community treasure so busy for the first day of the new season. I hope residents and visitors alike will enjoy all that the Museum offers this summer.”
Museum curator Philip Magrath commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome Alan to our summer season opening. We are really excited about what the next few months have in store – beginning with our brilliant oyster boat exhibition. We are delighted that Alan is showing his support for local heritage and history.”
The Emsworth Maritime & Historical Trust (EM&HT) administers the museum entirely through the help of volunteers from its membership, and donations from visitors, and local people, businesses and organisations. The museum is fully accredited by the Arts Council, England, and is one of the smallest museums in the country to receive such a prestigious designation.