The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A new pop-up museum has opened its doors in Holbeach High Street.
Memory Lane tells some of the stories behind the town and is a wealth of information on its past.
Coun Tracey Carter came up with the idea for a mini-museum, which will be in place for at least six months initially.
With help from Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council as well as local historian Linden Secker, it has turned into a real community effort to get it open.
With sponsorship from Ashwood Homes, Broadgate Homes, Jelson Homes and CJ and CA Penny Consulting Ltd, its doors will be open from 10am to 4pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.
A team of volunteers will man it including some of those working with services at the town’s branch of specialist support provider County Care.
Coun Carter says she hopes it will attract more people to the town and that surveys given out to attendees in the first few days of opening back up it’s doing that.
“I’m absolutely delighted” she said. “I think it looks magnificent.
“I wanted to do something in the High Street and it’s been a real community effort.
“In the first few days we’ve had 32 visitors and I’m over the moon with that.
“We’ve already had people come in and offer items that could be included in the exhibition which is exactly what I wanted to happen so people keep coming back and seeing what’s on display.
“Everyone we’ve surveyed so far also said that they’d visit another Holbeach business while in town so it’s doing what I intended it to.”
The whole installation was carried out in a day and as well as signs created alongside Energy Cell and Lincolnshire County Council there’s two TVs showing footage from the area provided by the Lincolnshire Film Archive.
As well as tales and folklore surrounding the town there are historic documents including Holbeach Fire Crew log books from the 1960s.
Ayscoughfee Hall has also donated artefacts, while a walking history trail around Holbeach is on offer as well.
Coun Carter says she’s looking at putting on more events to get even more people involved including working with local schools and Transported Arts, church records from the early 20th century and copies of property deeds dating back to the 14th century.
Coun Carter brought everyone who helped fit the shop in a day fish and chips to say thank you.
“I can’t thank everyone who has been involved enough.
“I think it might be my favourite thing I’ve ever done.
“A huge thank you to all the volunteers and everyone who has helped make it a reality.”
If you would like to volunteer at the centre you can contact Coun Carter on tcarter@sholland.gov.uk or 07719 189528.
