The
Garrett reunion was organised by Margaret Young,
John Richardson and June Wood to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Long
Shop Museum. The museum is located on the Garrett Works site in Leiston which
was acquired by Richard Garrett IV
on the 8th April 1783. Even the local paper got in on the act with a full page
article on the museum and the days events!
Over 150 descendants from the Garrett family attended. Family members were given colour coded stickers for easy identification of descendant of Richard Garrett IV, Newson Garrett, Lewis Berry and others.
Guests assembled at the Long Shop Museum and explored the many rooms displaying exhibit from the Works and family memorabilia. The only fully working engine to be owned by the museum was gleaming outside and several of Richard Garrett's descendants took the opportunity to climb aboard..
Inside the Long Shop itself were several engines and lots of artifacts from
the Works. In the galleries upstairs were further exhibitions and memorabilia.
Tucked into one corner was the local brass band!
The museum shop ensured that everyone had a memento of the day with postcards, bouncy balls and beaded necklaces being most popular. There was even a Brio 'Thomas the Tank Engine' toy truck based on an original Garrett steam engine - called Trevor!
The Long Shop was officially opened for the season by Amanda Arrowsmith, Suffolk County Council Director of Museums and Libraries accompanied by John Garrett Richardson, Mayor of Aldeburgh. Lord Cranbrook gave an address, explaining how the Long Shop site was rescued from the developers 20 years ago and how much support is required to maintain and develop the museum for the future.
Two camps developed for lunch, those without small children enjoying a finger buffet at the Leiston Town Athletic Association Club House and those with, enjoying a very pleasant (if some what noisy) picnic at St Margaret's Church Hall. The prize for most impressive picnic was awarded to the Gomesz family with their fantastic spread of olives (black and green), salami, stuffed vine leaves, tortilla wraps and a range of dips!
In
the afternoon, it was off to Aldeburgh for more perusing of historic bits and
bobs at The Moot Hall, where a Garrett exhibition was displayed. My own experience
of this was a quick whizz around with Emily, making
a swift exit before most of the family had even managed to get in through the
door. Hopefully I will have another opportunity to look around more slowly (on
my own)!
After a very brisk walk on the beach (or for those of us less hardy - a huddle in the little hut on the sea front opposite The Moot Hall) it was off to The Scandinavian Tea Shop in Aldeburgh for a cup of tea. Again, those without minors were able to relax in the more sedate surroundings of the White Lion Hotel.
All in all a very grand day out!!
For more information on each picture, hover your mouse over them.
To take a look at the Garrett family tree click here...
There are lots more photos of the day on their way, I hope you have enjoyed those already here - if you have any that you would like to add, let me know. If you would like to share your own experiences of the day, jot them in an email to me or enter them yourself on the discussion forum - it will only take a few minutes.... honest!
