Raising (repairing?) the Roof – last Sunday at Shoreham.

As successful as the two signing events in aid of the London Battle of Britain Monument were (raising a total of £4,300 for the monument), they did not prepare us for what was to prove an incredible day!

The terrible weather forecast for last Sunday looked certain to put people off coming, but how wrong can you be? By the time the first signing session began at 11am, the queue had already reached the museum gate (photo 1), and soon stretched down to the road (photo 2). The first rainfall came around 11am, but it made no difference to the queue who continued wait patiently in-line, and with good humour, for the chance to meet our honoured guests.

Present on the day, were Bob Doe, Robert Haylock, Jack Toombs, Mike Croskell, Bob Foster, Tom Neil, and Tony Iverson. Sadly Pete Brothers & Ken Lusty were unable to attend. Despite the weather, everyone seemed to be having a good time, including our guests, with a certain amount of joshing going on. They may be in their eighties, but I’m sure that they’re all still twenty-something at heart. It was fascinating to stand by the veterans as they signed the prints and books that people had brought along, listening to the conversations going on, and between the veterans themselves. As can be seen from the photos of the queue, it was a good mixture of young and old, and it was obvious that there was an enormous respect for the veterans. The showers, heavy at times, continued all morning, but when we had to call an end to the morning session the queue was still snaking it’s way out of the gate.

The veterans went off to enjoy their lunch at one of Shoreham’s several pubs, as did many of our visitors. I bet the publicans were wondering where all their customers were coming from on such a terrible day!

The afternoon session was just as hectic, and wet, as the morning one, and by the time the session should have ended there was still a long queue of people waiting. Not wishing to disappoint those waiting, the veterans continued signing almost to four o’clock. All in all, the day was an outstanding success, the only problem being that we just overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

The total amount raised in just one day, through the signing and raffle, for the museum was an astounding £3,800. Now we can get some quotes for the repairs to the roof, with the work due to be carried out before we open next year. Hopefully there will be some money left over, which we can spend on other projects within the museum.

The museum would like to thank Ian Brentnall of CCB, whose idea the event was, all our volunteers, the veterans, and those who donated prizes for the raffle.

We plan to hold a number of similar events during 2005, so look out for more news from me on this next year.

There’s just one thing I’d like to know – who bought Bob Doe that large bottle of Gin??

Geoff.

Photo three – (left to right) Robert Haylock, Jack Toombs, Bob Foster, and Tony Iverson.

Photo four – as above, plus at far end – Tom Neil and Mike Croskell.

Photo five – Mike Croskell (L) & Bob Doe.

Photo seven – The queue at 3.30, half an hour after the session should have ended!