Newark Air Museum Digs For Victory!

During the first three months of the year the Newark Air Museum’s education programme has been a huge success. The education programme is a development in-conjunction with Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) and the Arts Council England (ACE).

Between mid-January and the end of March, the museum has delivered education session to twelve school groups, as compared to the seventeen that were delivered in the whole of 2013.

As part of this programme the museum has received various grants from AHL to support and enhance the programme of education activities. One particular item that has just been completed is an Anderson Shelter (pictured), which will be used for the World War II / Evacuation topic.

Rather than secure an old structure, the museum utilised the grant funding to purchase a new unit. This was assembled in Hangar 1 by museum staff member Nigel Bean and museum volunteer Bill Potter. Once the structure was completed the site excavation work for the project was undertaken by local contractor, D Lyne Ground Maintenance. Once in place, the Anderson Shelter was then covered with the excavate soil. 

To add authenticity to the Anderson Shelter, it has been ‘furnished’ with representative ‘period-style’ bunk beds and associated fixtures and fittings. Work is now underway to cultivate a small area of ground around the new exhibit, where some vegetables may be grown as part of the museum’s own ‘Dig For Victory’ campaign.