Month: November 2016

“An asset not just for Pinner but for the country”

On Friday 28^th October Nick Hurd , MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner and Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy,  paid a flying visit to the new Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner Memorial Park. Nick is a patron of the Museum and from the start has shown a great deal of interest in its development.

The Museum having opened on 15^th October, he was shown around the Museum by trustees Cynthia Wells, acting Chair of the West House and Heath Robinson Museum trust and Veronica Chamberlain, Marketing Manager.

Veronica, Nick and Cynthia outside the Museum with Diwali pictures in the background.

The site itself pleased him “You cannot think of a nicer site, and it blends in so well”.

He was enthusiastic when he first entered the Museum and took it all in

“What a proud moment this is. Congratulations to all. Amazing”.

Nick showed particular interest in the Activity Room, still decorated with the Diwali artwork completed at the workshop the previous week and where the Heath Robinson style “contraption” engineered by girls from St. Helens School, Northwood is still displayed.

When spending time in the further two galleries, the permanent exhibition gallery and the gallery devoted to the current special exhibition, “Heath Robinson at War”, Nick was especially pleased to see so many examples of the artist’s work on display:

“After all this time, how extraordinary it is to have brought all this together in one place, it’s been quite a journey”.

On looking round the building, there was praise for the architect (ZMMA) and for the way the collection has been curated:

“Beautifully executed. It’s an asset not just for Pinner but for the country. I am full of admiration”. The shop too was complimented:

“It’s an intelligent shop delivering interesting and attractive things”.

In all, it was a good visit, the Museum volunteers were proud to be able to show our local MP who has been so supportive around the Museum and to share the excitement with him.

Nick Hurd on the left holding the Heath Robinson book he bought,  with Margaret Seaman, Front of House Coordinator.

Nick Hurd with the Heath Robinson Museum bag in the shop of the new Museum

On Tuesday 1^st November, the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Rekha Shah, accompanied by members and a bugler of the British Legion, laid a poppy wreath in the Peace Gardens at Pinner Memorial Park, on the Dove of Peace, newly brightened with white marble dust for the occasion.

Ninety children from West Lodge School attended this important occasion and the head boy and head girl laid a wreath of poppies on the Dove.

Afterwards, the children had the opportunity of visiting the new Heath Robinson Museum and were explained the history of West House and its gardens, now the Pinner Memorial Park, in which the Peace Garden is substantially maintained by volunteers from the Pinner Association for the enjoyment of all visitors to the park.

This was a prelude to the annual Remembrance Sunday Service, organised jointly by the Pinner Association and the United Services Club, which will take place on Sunday, 13^th November, at 10.40 a.m. at the War Memorial, High Street. Pinner.

At this interdenominational service, some 40 wreaths will be laid by representatives of various branches of the armed services, of national and local government, local community, business and professional organisations, sports clubs, the Scouts and Guides and local schools.  The bugler, as has been the case for many years,, will be a pupil of Nower Hill High School.

It is hoped that many people will once again attend this annual Pinner event.