Fordingbridge Museum’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations 1st-3rd August 2025
The celebrations to mark the twenty fifth anniversary of Fordingbridge Museum held last weekend were hailed as a remarkable success. Museum Chair Peggy Jackson said, “We are amazed and delighted about how well the weekend went. We are enormously grateful to all our volunteers, some of whom were helping us for the first time.”
Councillor Phil Woods who attended the launch of the weekend’s events said, “I think it is in everybody’s DNA that at some time in their life they contemplate their own family history. This event stimulated me to think about my own family and how museums like this one all over the country play such an important role in finding out who we think we are.”
The weekend included punting, duck and raft racing on the river. Maypole and Morris dancing and rustic sports such as tug of war, welly wanging, splat the rat and giant Jenga attracted large and enthusiastic audiences. Old films showing life in Fordingbridge in the 50s and 60s were extremely popular as were some audio recordings of the memories of elderly residents. Visitors were fascinated by displays of old photographs and maps showing Fordingbridge and the surrounding area.
Peggy Jackson went on to say, “There has been a tremendous input into the weekend from local companies and organisations as well as from the town council. We also had a large number of visitors to the event many of whom made a point of expressing their gratitude to us for putting on such an enjoyable and informative experience. We really feel that this event marks a new relationship between the museum and Fordingbridge and the surrounding area.”
A legacy of the event will be a series of green plaques placed on historic buildings around the town. The first of these was unveiled on the museum building by Phil Harding.
Social Activities
Barbecue Saturday 16th August.
This fundraising event event is for the Friends of Fordingbridge Museum and their guests.