IWM North, Trafford, Manchester , 5th October 2018
#octpowrimo
A year to remember
else everyone forgets
the sacrifice of those
who joined up fighting
for king and country
each one now a memory
flowing down from the earth
a century later
IWM North
Poppies
Army, Art, Poetry, Remembrance, War
Wave – On display outside Imperial War Museum North , Manchester (p) Brian F Kirkham Sept 2018
Red poppies are flowing down the top of the earth shard of IWM North
Each poppy was created to remember those who fell in the war to end all wars
Memorial to the host of soldiers who went to the front
Expecting to be home by Christmas
Men not only from the home nations,
But the commonwealth and allies from Europe too
Regiments who met and fought on a field in flanders
As part of the first world war centenary, this artwork is a
Noted reminder, of those who went away to fight and
Came to rest in a foreign field
Each one remembered in the symbol of the poppy
Mathilda
Army, Military, Poetry, World War II
IWM North, September 2018
an acrostic poem by inkdrop, on the newest arrival in the Main exhibition space of
IWM North in Trafford….
Made up at the Locomotion works in Bolton
A Machine to bring terror to the enemies eyes
Thundering across land and desert
Hot on the tail of any enemy Infantry
In time, tales would be told about her and her thundering wheels
Launching shells and ammo towards the enemy
Dangerous ? all missions are aren’t they
Allies relying on this mighty armoured tank
Long Goodbye
Museums, PhotographyIWM North via Salford, 26th March 2018
We’re losing an old friend in a few days time.
A Stalwart of the Russian Army in World War II – The T-34 was a powerful tank and had a Six man crew
The Russian T-34 Tank , having spent 13 years in Greater Manchester, notedly around the Cold war area of the Main exhibition space, will be on its way back to its owner before heading off to pastures new
The boys and girls from exhibitions have already started to get it going, in preparation for the move.
It’ll still be around for a short while, whilst the team work out the logistics of moving The T-34 and replacing it with the new exhibit.
A New Tank, the Mathilda , will be taking its place.
Won’t be forgetting this one though – as i wrote a verse or two about it – you can read that here
#UPDATE – 2nd April 2018.
The T-34 has now left the building, and the boys and girls from operations have updated the parking space in the MES in prep for the new tanks arrival – more when i have it.
Show n Tell
Museum, Museums, Volunteering, WarSalford, 4th September
I’m sat down having Just got home from the Imperial war museum, in Manchester, where i’ve been helping out in the galleries, helping people around.
In this role , i’m occasionally stood by the information station, where various objects to do with the first and second world war are on display
This station is mobile and can move around with its four wheels, around the vast area known as the main exhibition space.
The objects on the information station vary, from gas masks to various headgear, and relate to the large objects around the space. There are uniforms from modern day conflict as well as those from world war I and II. As Volunteers, we use the items to introduce visitors to the space as well as putting them at ease with the space they are in – It’s a bit dark in there sometimes.
Landmarks
Architecture, Buildings, HeritageSalford,30th June 2017
Hi folks.
The prompt for today’s post comes from a strange source – in that its not technological at all – it’s the humble letterbox.
Aside from my scribbles – and photography – I am a keen philatelist – or stamp collector.
There’s a reason for this – the pictures give me a source of inspiration in my own writing and photography, and the information contained within give me impetus to explore the world around me.
To avoid the fidgety nature of hanging the mini pics in an album – I get first day covers, which have an added bonus of having a cancellation (or postmark) with a connection to the subject matter.
Todays missive, however – brought a smile to my face
The forthcoming issue – Landmark Buildings has a stamp subject I’ve become very familiar with over the past few years
Yes, the iconic branch of the Imperial War Museum in the North, where I help out as a volunteer, has found its way onto a Royal Mail First Day Cover.
It joins other iconic landmarks such as the Everyman theatre in nearby Liverpool and the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff.
Fashion on the Ration
Arts, Museum, Museums, Volunteering, WarSalford 5th January 2017
This afternoon, I’ve been helping out at Imperial War Museum North just over the bridge from Salford, by the banks of the Manchester ship canal.
Regular readers will know I help out with the computers on the “Your History” information point and throughout the Main exhibition space. Well, Today I’ve been directing visitors by the special gallery and giving assistance where necessary.
The special gallery covers the time in British history where clothes were rationed, in order to preserve fuel and resources during war time.
As part of the exhibition – a special handling collection has been created, by some of the volunteers with help from the museum staff. This is shown on our Information station, where volunteers and veterans talk about specific objects and the tales behind them.
Capture it….
Heritage, Historical, HistoryYoung minds wondered aimlessly
around the museum space
hearing the sounds around them
as they found their place
The colour returned – to their eyes
upon seeing my trolley – to my surprise
and hearing a colleague veterans tale
it was like we’d found the holy grail
Stories were told as they wore the hats
and genuine interest grew from these cats
as enthusiasm blossomed around our bit
The teacher wanted to bottle it…
For as the veteran told his tale
the enthusiasm blossomed without fail
and communication started tween young and old
as a tale of the home front it was told.
Friday Musical Fun
MusicImperial War Museum North, Manchester, 4th November
Preparations for the Christmas volunteer celebration across the Museums involved in the
Volunteer for Wellbeing programme continue a pace.
As well as picking up the tunes from previous sessions, we’ve started on the Christmas number, “Winter Wonderland”
We’ve already started on the Christmas number “Mary did you know” – and its sounding really good! Its just of a question of how much we polish the performance.
Today saw a whole day of practice as we work towards the Christmas Volunteer Event at the end of the year. It’s improved my confidence – though my two left feet won’t stretch to dancing!
So it’s Practice in the Day….and Inspiration at Night – Michael Buble’s playing on the IPad as I type away 🙂
A Choral thing – Part II
Museum, Museums, Music, VolunteeringFriday 17th June 2016
Imperial War Museum North (Red Room)
Another meeting of the Choir today, after our round robin performances at IWM North, Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester Museum.
There must have been something in the air today, in that we were a little reduced in number – but the enthusiasm of the group wasn’t tempered.
We concentrated on two numbers today, All above my head and All around – concentrating on a few changes to the way we sung it at previous performances.
