As 2011 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the past year and pick some of my highlights! If you click on the links, you’ll be able to see what I’m raving about!
1. Multi-Cultural Day in September was attended by 1100 people which was an amazing figure and the Maasai Warrior Troupe were an amazing sight
Our Breakdancer shows us his moves, don't try this after Christmas lunch...
2. Getting dressed up and make-upped for our 1960s dance event. I learned a few new moves which I’ve used quite a few times since! I also had great fun with Katherine and our volunteers creating the 1960s livingroom at Prestongrange.
3. Capturing two Musselburgh ladies having a great time at our 1940s tea dance in Musselburgh – watch right to the end of the video to catch sight of them. It looks like they’ve been doing that dance for years. And seeing Musselburgh Museum going from strength to strength with more and more visitor figures.
4. Our breakdancers in Dunbar doing amazing moves right in front of us – Billy would go from just standing there to spinning on their heads.
5. Watching the new John Gray Centre taking shape right before our eyes, and finally getting a peak inside. The John Gray Centre was one of the first projects I started working on almost 4 years ago when I joined the Museum Service so it’s almost unbelievable to have it so close to opening now.
6. Having Catherine Blair and Elsie Inglis chain themselves to a pillar in Preston Lodge High School as part of a Suffragette Protest on International Women’s Day way back in March.
7. Working alongside fantastic volunteers and staff over the past year to achieve some of these amazing things above, as well as much much more. Our volunteers do fantastic work, from researching obscure topics, to creating exhibitions, I don’t know what I’d do without them.
And so to 2012, which will see the opening of the John Gray Centre, Dunbar Town House and further developments with the museum in North Berwick. We’ll also have lots of fun events at Prestongrange Museum, John Muir’s Birthplace and Musselburgh Museum. Have a great Christmas and a happy new year, and thanks for being part of our 2011!