A reminder that Gainsborough Heritage Centre is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10.00am to 4.00pm, situated on North Street, DN21 2HS. For those who have not yet had the chance to visit, it is certainly worth adding to the to-do list – there will be no disappointment.
The centre is full of new exhibits and brilliant displays. The reference room files are invaluable for anyone researching a family tree or browsing newspaper cuttings, with records dating as far back as the early 1900s. Gainsborough Heritage Centre is proud to hold a five-star rating on TripAdvisor.
For those planning multiple visits, an annual membership, costing just £15.00, allows unlimited entry during opening hours and includes a quarterly newsletter filled with interesting content.
A single visit costs £3.00, while children can enter for free if accompanied by an adult. A quiz sheet is available to make their visit more engaging.
Maintaining the building is costly, with rising utility bills and the need for supplies making it increasingly difficult each year. The centre relies heavily on generous donations from local businesses and the public. As a charity, it is run entirely by dedicated volunteers, many of whom also work full-time jobs. Their commitment is second to none, and without them, the centre could not continue operating. Supporting local heritage is always worthwhile.
A recent addition to the collection is a wrap and twist machine, kindly donated by AMP Rose. Built in 1958 by the local company Rose Brothers and Co, this remarkable machine was used to wrap and twist Roses chocolate wrappers. Having recently returned to the UK from South Africa, it has now found a home at the centre.
Bringing the machine into the building was no small task, but thanks to the strength and dedication of the centre’s volunteers, it now takes pride of place in the Rose Brothers Corner on the ground floor. This area highlights the industrial history of the town, including both factory and farming heritage.
Marshalls and Roses machinery have reached all corners of the world. A recent visitor brought in photos of a tea-packing machine from a tea museum in Sri Lanka (historically known as Ceylon), the tea capital of the world. A smaller version of this machine is also on display at the centre.
On the first floor, the changing exhibition room houses a fascinating collection of exhibits, from Roman soldiers and vintage toys to World War I artefacts. There is also a post office, reconstructions of old local shops, a 1950s sitting room, and display cabinets filled with intriguing historical items.
The second floor contains the reference room, which holds extensive files of information about Gainsborough and the surrounding areas. Photocopies are available for a small charge. The centre is also the only local facility offering full-size copies of Marshalls and Roses’ engineering drawings, which are proving popular both in the UK and abroad.
The centre is fully accessible, with toilets and a lift serving all floors. Visitors can also browse the well-stocked gift shop and enjoy reasonably priced refreshments in the tea room.
For more information, visit www.gainsboroughheritage.co.uk.