Every Object Tells a Story
Inspired by the release of The Dig (a new Netflix film about the discovery of Sutton Hoo on the eve of the Second World War) we put together a Twitter thread of items from our collection which reminded us of the film. You can see the thread here.
The stories that these items tell might not be as grand or extraordinary as the history of the Sutton Hoo site, but we think there is something special about the ordinary lives of local people.
Research into these items is ongoing but here is a snapshot of the stories behind the items, as told by our records:
Telescope (MC900)
This telescope was made by Troughton and Simms, London and is inscribed “W.H. Edgcomb”. Mr Edgcomb worked at the Royal Indian Engineering College at Coopers Hill in the late 19th century.
Glasses (MC505)
These glasses belonged to Miss Margery Dallen. The Dallen family owned the bakery at 88 Harvest Road and donated many items related to their business to the museum.
Cane (MC91)
This cane was found at 22 Armstrong Road, Englefield Green and donated to the museum in 1973.
Bag (MC335F)
Belonging to Jack Williams, motor engineer of Norlands Lane, Thorpe, who in September 1947 caught one of the biggest common carp ever caught in the British Isles at the time. This ‘monster’ of a fish weighed an impressive 19lb 4oz, caught in a gravel pit just off Ten Acre Lane, Thorpe.
Commemorative Trowel (MC1172)
This silver trowel is associated with the Englefield Green Methodist Church, Victoria Street.
Inscribed:
“Used in the laying of the memorial stone of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Eversley by Miss Elizabeth Rose Pocock of Virginia Water and presented to the Trustees August 26 1878.
Used in laying the foundation Stones of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Englefield Green, June 11th 1903. Miss E R Pocock, Mrs Whttenbury in memory of R Whittenbury. Rev. T W Pocock, Mrs G R Forde. The Sunday School.”
Model of the Flying Fortress (MC356)
This model of the Flying Fortress crash site was created by Phillip Hancock and presented to the museum as a donation in 1993. You can find out more about the crash itself at https://eghammuseum.org/eghams-flying-fortress/
Bike
Supplied by V. J. Sleep, Egham. Given to our Chairman to celebrate him passing his eleven-plus exam.
Footman’s Uniform (COS157)
In regular use until 1939 by he footman to the Schroeder Family, Dell Park.
Archaeological photo (P1179-3)
Staines, Thames Street excavations (c.1970)
Peat (MC475)
From a dig at Muckhatch Farm, Thorpe where the bones of an Auroch were found (c.1972).
Saxon Loom Weight
This loom weight is made of baked clay and was used by the Saxons for weaving. It would have been tied to various threads to stretch them across the loom towards the ground. You can find out more at www.eghammuseum.org/the-elusive-remains-of-saxon-egham/
Pipes (MC111)
Donated by a Thorpe resident in 1984.