Radstock Museum opened its doors to the new Alex Hann Gallery last Thursday.

Dr Nick Hall, Chairman of Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum explained more about the opening: “In recent months, Radstock Museum has been able to benefit from two legacies which have enabled the Museum to refurbish its exhibition space.

“Two new display cabinets and new frames for displaying information boards have been installed and the whole gallery has been repainted to distinguish it from the main part of the Museum.

“The funds to do this have come from legacies from the estates of David Cottle and

Alex Hann.

“Alex was the last superintendent of the Mines Rescue Service in the Somerset Coalfield and was an enthusiastic supporter of both the Museum and the Annual Reunion of the Somerset and District Miners’ Welfare Trust.

“At a ceremony on Thursday, the Alex Hann Exhibition Gallery at Radstock Museum was formally opened by Dennis Chedgy (a lifelong friend of Alex), together with Alex’s sons, Simon and Jeremy and Sandra and David Ford, sister and brother-in-law of David Cottle.”

Lucy Tudor, Publicity and Education Volunteer for the Somerset Coalfield Life At Radstock Museum describes David’s life and involvement with the museum: “David lived in Writhlington all his life and took great interest in the local history of the area.

“David had Muscular Dystrophy and was never able to visit the Radstock Museum, but was always pleased to hear of what was happening here and about its continuing success. He felt it was an excellent way to preserve the history of the area that has had a large influence on his family members’ lives.

“His father, Ronald, had begun work at fourteen as a grocery apprentice in the Co-op and rose through hard work and study to become Grocery Buyer, providing the provisions for all the shops in the Radstock Co-op Society. After his retirement, Ronald was asked for help and advice in the setting up of the Museum’s ‘Co-op shop’.

“David’s grandfather, Walter and great-grandfather, John, were both lifelong coal miners, having started as carting-boys. Walter was particularly proud of his fifty-year service certificate which he prominently dis- played on his fireside wall.

“David’s generous bequest to the Museum has enabled it to buy two new, high security display cabinets that now form part of the new Alex Hann Gallery.

“The Trustees are very grateful for his gift and the brass plaques that are displayed inside the cabinets will ensure that David’s name is known by all who visit the Museum in the years to come.”