The Long Awaited Visit Part 1 - 29th-30th May 2021

 As has been the case for many people we had not seen our son, daughter-in-law their three children since March 2020.  To say I was excited would be an understatement.  They arrived on Saturday 29th May and we just had a very relaxed evening just revelling in all being together again.  It has certainly been a very odd year.

Sunday 30th May 2021

Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove

I am sure there will be some of you who have visited this wonderful Museum when down this way.  It is a bit of a hike from the canal, but well worth it.  It re-opened this year on Saturday 1st May.  That evening some people took it upon themselves to vandalise many of the buildings and some of the interior exhibits.  Windows were smashed and they left a trail of destruction behind them which, of course, meant the museum had to close losing the rest of the Bank Holiday bookings.  The vandals had done tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.  Volunteers and staff set to work clearing up all the glass and boarding up the windows so they could open the following weekend, albeit with some of the buildings shut.  An appeal was launched to help fund the repairs and it seems that it was so successful that they got money from all corners of the globe.  Why anyone would do this is beyond my comprehension.  The museum is out of town, not near any pubs and they are likely to have gone by car with the intent of doing what they did.  As far as I know they have not been apprehended.  

What is so special about this place?  It is a collection of old buildings from Worcestershire and beyond that have been rescued and re-built in what is England's first open air museum.  The Website can do a much better job than I can.  As a family we have visited it many times over the years - they put on a lot of activities for the youngsters on special occasions.  We find the whole site so welcoming and peaceful that we sometimes just pop in to take Monty for a walk (we are members).  We decided it would be very appropriate to go over there to show our support, especially as the Bromsgrove Town Leet were going to be in attendance.  To our shame we did not know that they even existed even though we have lived in the area for almost 10 years.  In our defence, I suspect that they are out and about mostly in the summer and we, of course, are usually away then.  

As we arrived there was a ceremony taking place - the local baker had made some scones and they had to be passed fit for consumption.  The Town Bailiff asked two member of the Town Leet to test them.  There was a lot of discussion about how you pronounce 'scone' and whether you put the jam or cream on first!  They were passed as fit for the people of Bromsgrove to consume and the baker was presented with a certificate and a sprig of evergreen, so that those who were unable to read would know they had been approved.  All very well done.  They must have all been rather warm in all their regalia.

The three grandchildren (17, 13 and 12) insisted that they must have a ride on the little train just for old times sake.  Their Mum and Dad joined them!

After that we just went for a wander around in the sunshine.  It was very sad to see so many windows boarded up and the buildings closed.  

The staff and volunteers have done an amazing job to get things to the stage they are now.  I suspect it may be years before they are back to normal.  All the glass has to be authentic to the age of the building, so not easy or cheap to source.

The old 'loo' has always been a favourite for the children!

Even the playground was visited

The windmill is one of my favourites and has appeared in my blog on many occasions as it is visible from a few parts of the canal.  I always know we are nearly home when I see it in the distance.

This poor lady was wrapped up in many yards of pure wool!  

It was a very gentle and fun way to spend an afternoon.  Once we were home our daughter, son in law and their two boys came round for a BBQ.

I will never take for granted all 11 of us being all together in the same place again.