YOU simply can’t put a price on the important work of preserving our history, says the man in charge of Braintree’s heritage.

Robert Rose, Braintree’s museum services manager is talking specifically here about the work of award-winning Braintree District Museum, in Manor Street, Braintree.

The museum also offers collectors and artists a space in which to exhibit their work – but its main focus remains the district’s industrial heritage.

Visiting youngsters get the chance to experience something of what it was like to be a wartime evacuee, or a pupil in a Victorian school.

When it comes to local history, there’s plenty to learn.

Before a visit to the museum, for instance, how many locals would know Braintree Town Football Club was known as “the Iron” because of its links to world-famous metal window company Crittall?

The Courtauld family, also features prominently. It ran silk mills in the town, but also paid for the creation of a huge number of public institutions, including the town hall, Braintree Cottage Hospital, William Julien Courtauld Hospital and Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens.

Visits to the museum are also likely to learn of another famous son of the Braintree district, naturalist John Ray, who was from Black Notley. It has is an entire room dedicated to him.

It was Ray who devised the system by which all plants, insects and animals are described to this day.

Mr Rose said: “Ray is regarded as the father of natural history. He was a really early pioneer in the work.”

Museum activities over the summer have included a reptile and amphibian workshop, which related to natural history and the work of John Ray.

The museum has also branched out into the publication of local history books, such as Ariel Crittall’s autobiography, My Life. Another volume, based on the story of an evacuee who came to live in Rayne is also in the pipeline.

The museum service, jointly run by by Braintree District Museum Trust and the council, is funded by the council, grants, income from the museum shop and fundraising by the Friends of Braintree District Museum.

Mr Rose said: “In broader terms, we are looking to continue to develop our very successful education service, to continue to drive a programme of contemporary exhibitions, to change the displays in the museum galleries, and to continue to work with other heritage and arts groups.”

To join the Friends of Braintree District Museum, call 01376 325266.

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