Poppies

Army, Art, Poetry, Remembrance

Wave – On display outside Imperial War Museum North (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

Poetry, Military, Army, 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, Photography

IWM 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, War

Educate

Salford, 4th September

Iwm Waterside

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.

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Landmarks

Architecture, Buildings, Heritage

Salford,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, War

Salford 5th January 2017

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

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, History

Enthusiasm

Young 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

Music

Imperial 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, Volunteering

Friday 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.

Musical Moments

Museums, Music, Volunteering

11th June 2016

Manchester Museum, Oxford Rd. Manchester

The third of the performances on the volunteer choir took place yesterday in the surroundings of Manchester Museum on Oxford Road.

We performed on the Gallery steps at the main entrance to the museum, singing the three songs we’ve practiced and performed in the run up at IWM North and Manchester Art Gallery – Stevie Wonder’s Signed Sealed Delivered, Mary Mary’s Shackles, and Isreal Houghton’s All Around.

The performances were all part of the Volunteer Week Celebrations, which celebrated volunteering throughout the UK.

and as I posted from the toolshed upon my return

Back from Manchester Museum – and another storming performance by the volunteer choir!

The Inkwell

from inkdrop – poetry, places and events

IWM North