A MUSEUM was finally able to open the doors to its new home after the big reopening was delayed following the coronavirus shutdown.

Under strict Covid-secure protocol, Brightlingsea Museum is now welcoming visitors to their new site in Station Road.

The former police station has been revamped and revitalised thanks to cash left by founding chairman Claude Dove in his estate when he died, along with the hard work of a dedicated team.

Curator Margaret Stone said: "Saturday was a tremendously busy and exciting day, as visitors had their first sight of the stunning photographs and highly evocative exhibits.

"One of the first visitors was six-year-old Martha Jeffreys, in between answering the phone and taking messages on the HMS Nemo desk, she designed a ship in the shipyard workshop.

"The opening of the museum had been planned for mid-May, but of course the lockdown coming as it did, at the crucial time when the museum's team of volunteers were about to complete the installation.

"In recent months this former Police Station has been a hive of activity, with special effects, sound scapes and audio visual projections installed, creating stunning displays along with the museums extensive collection of artefacts telling the story of the towns links with the sea and River Colne.

"Although other aspects of the town's history has not been overlooked, the first part of the exhibition tells the history of the town in ten objects and includes the early settlements - Roman and much earlier, as well as the renowned church of All Saints, guarding the entrance to the town with its unique frieze of memorial tiles and the still missed railway line to Wivenhoe.

"Then as visitors near the end of their journey through the town's history they come to a special exhibition - the A to Z of Brightlingsea, which recalls events and incidents from the past - some not that many years ago, and prominent residents that have left their mark on this busy coastal town."

Gazette:

The Museum is open every Saturday between 10am and 4pm and between 1pm and 4pm on Wednesdays.

To keep visitors and volunteers safe and comfortable entry is by timed ticket.

To book for free go to ticketsource.co.uk/brightlingsea-museum or telephone the museum on 01206 307121.