This year Fulneck Moravian Museum is celebrating fifty years since its opening on 9th July 1969 when it was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Pudsey, Br Henry Miller. Bishop Foy was given the key and he opened the door for the public. It was hoped the museum would have a successful future. Our display this year has included a special summer exhibition about the history of the museum buildings and the years after 1969 which is in the Exhibition Room upstairs in the museum. The celebrations continued on 14th July with a service of rededication and lunch for friends old and new connected with the founding and running of the museum.
For the occasion the church window cills had been decorated by the Flower Ladies with artefacts from the museum which represented the different aspects of Fulneck life and with floral arrangements. A mannequin dressed in traditional costume with a Love Feast cup and saucer represented the church; the anniversary plaque for the 50 years carved by Br Sam Raistrick stood with a Lot Box and Lamb and Flag carving; two leather buckets from the Fulneck fire engine spoke for themselves; and the spinning wheel with lace samples represented how the people earned a living in earlier times.
Many guests had been invited, chief among whom was the local MP, Stuart Andrew and Sr Roberta Hoey attended representing the Provincial Board. An original survivor of the first Museum Committee, Mr N Wilkinson was present as were the children of one of the founder members, Sr Janet Smith and her brother, Mr David Mitchell.
Br David Keighley read the first lesson. The present writer gave a brief history of the Museum and Sr Ros Davey read the second lesson. This writer spoke of the very beginnings of the museum. Mr Norman Wilkinson had furnished him with ideas of how it all began and gave him three words beginning with 'CH': chaos - there was such a lot of junk and furniture and paper rubbish to be taken to the tip before they could settle to collecting the artefacts. Who did the organising? Srs Harrison and Mitchell. This was where the words Chalk and Cheese came in, referring to their personalities. Srs Eunice Harrison and Kathleen Mitchell were firm friends who had dedicated themselves to starting the museum. They were indeed different types of people, but this difference worked to their advantage. They were unstoppable. Sr Mitchell was highly practical and down-to-earth. Sr Harrison had a more aesthetic approach. Their skills complemented each other. Eunice would make suggestions and generate ideas. Kathleen picked them up and ran with them. They were the generals on the committee. That first committee paved the way for successive numbers of helpers who have brought us to our present situation.
Br McOwat's address similarly began with his school day memories of the cottages, now used as the museum, when they were occupied by residents of Fulneck, in particular, Sally Lawson, school laundress, standing on the steps of number 55 with her long, grey hair streaming out. As a young man he witnessed the museum being run by that early committee and Sr Harrison presiding in the Victorian Parlour with Sr Mitchell upstairs working the loom. He continued by expressing his gladness that Fulneck has a museum. We should, to echo a past slogan, have 'Pride in our past - and faith in the future'. This would be a fitting motto for our Fulneck Museum as we thank God for the fifty years of its existence.
Br McOwat went on to mention different aspects of the museum which have proved over time to be an asset. He spoke of people who have contributed skill and energy over the years and described various artefacts. Some of the creative talents displayed by Moravians help to show something of the history of the Moravian Church. As he declared, “This is our history of which we can be justly proud.” He followed this up with some thoughts about how history can be manipulated but stressed that Fulneck's treatment of it, as manifested by our museum, is a wholly good and just use of history to give a plain, true rewarding account of what happened to the people of our church, in Fulneck and in the world at large, over time. As he said, “I believe it tells our story in the way we have known and understood it”. Br McOwat ended by thanking the museum committee members over the years for sticking conscientiously to the true history of the church. He then looked to the future returning to the inspirational thought that while we have PRIDE IN OUR PAST, we also are part of a continuing story because we HAVE FAITH IN THE FUTURE.
After the service photographs were taken on the pavement whilst the museum was opened for a short while. An enjoyable buffet lunch was served in the Boys' Brigade building. Speeches were given by Br David Keighley, the present committee chairman, and Sr Roberta Hoey who also cut the celebration cake. The museum opened again after lunch for guests to visit.
It was a most successful and enjoyable day.
Br David Ingham
Fulneck