FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lincolnshire’s “hidden gem” of a museum reopens for the 2022 season
Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre (MAVC), the museum dedicated to those who served at RAF Metheringham and with 106 Squadron during the Second World War, is delighted to announce its reopening to the public for the 2022 season on Saturday 26 March.
The museum will be open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays between 11am and 5pm and on Wednesdays between 11am and 4pm. Admission is £5 with under 16s going free.
Museum Curator and Chair of MAVC, Caterina Scott, said:
"After a shorter 2021 season because of Covid, we're thrilled to be able to open on time this year. Our team of fabulous volunteers has been busy throughout the winter looking after our extensive collection of artefacts and exhibits and original wartime buildings and their work has really paid off - the Visitor Centre is looking better than ever."
One of the star exhibits at the museum is Dakota KG651, a transport aircraft which saw service during the Second World War. The Dakota was obtained by MAVC in recognition of the role RAF Metheringham played in the repatriation of wounded US servicemen in 1944 and 1945. This winter's work on site has included completion of the aircraft's new home - a purpose-built hangar to protect it from the Lincolnshire weather.
Dakota Project Lead, Ian Brett, said:
"Keeping KG651 inside improves our ability to preserve it as a visitor attraction so that more people can experience this iconic aircraft, anyone who can climb stairs can go inside her. The next job is to re-paint her, which we'll begin this year in both RAF and USAAF markings to represent her RAF service and the Dakotas that operated through RAF Metheringham during the war."
As well as the permanent exhibitions and displays at MAVC, the museum has plans for events during the 2022 season that will provide even more reasons to visit. These include:
MAVC is run entirely by volunteers and is looking for more willing people to add to its team. A range of roles are currently available for anyone with the interest, passion and a few hours a month to spare. Anyone interested should visit the vacancies page on the MAVC website.
Notes for editors
Lincolnshire’s “hidden gem” of a museum reopens for the 2022 season
Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre (MAVC), the museum dedicated to those who served at RAF Metheringham and with 106 Squadron during the Second World War, is delighted to announce its reopening to the public for the 2022 season on Saturday 26 March.
The museum will be open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays between 11am and 5pm and on Wednesdays between 11am and 4pm. Admission is £5 with under 16s going free.
Museum Curator and Chair of MAVC, Caterina Scott, said:
"After a shorter 2021 season because of Covid, we're thrilled to be able to open on time this year. Our team of fabulous volunteers has been busy throughout the winter looking after our extensive collection of artefacts and exhibits and original wartime buildings and their work has really paid off - the Visitor Centre is looking better than ever."
One of the star exhibits at the museum is Dakota KG651, a transport aircraft which saw service during the Second World War. The Dakota was obtained by MAVC in recognition of the role RAF Metheringham played in the repatriation of wounded US servicemen in 1944 and 1945. This winter's work on site has included completion of the aircraft's new home - a purpose-built hangar to protect it from the Lincolnshire weather.
Dakota Project Lead, Ian Brett, said:
"Keeping KG651 inside improves our ability to preserve it as a visitor attraction so that more people can experience this iconic aircraft, anyone who can climb stairs can go inside her. The next job is to re-paint her, which we'll begin this year in both RAF and USAAF markings to represent her RAF service and the Dakotas that operated through RAF Metheringham during the war."
As well as the permanent exhibitions and displays at MAVC, the museum has plans for events during the 2022 season that will provide even more reasons to visit. These include:
- On opening day itself, Saturday 26 March, ground running Jet Provost XS186 will be doing its first engine run of 2022 at about midday.
- Between 30 April and 15 May, MAVC will host an exhibition of creative arts, "Inspired By" - a feast for the eyes with paintings, photographs, illustration, glass, ceramics, metal sculpture and textiles on display. Proceeds will go to the museum's Dakota fund.
- In partnership with the RAF Benevolent Fund, on 14 May the museum is one of the stops on the 2022 Dambusters Ride cycling event, which marks one of the most daring missions in the RAF's history.
- Plans are progressing for the official opening and naming of the Dakota hangar in early June, to coincide with HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Details will be available on the museum's website and social media accounts nearer the time.
MAVC is run entirely by volunteers and is looking for more willing people to add to its team. A range of roles are currently available for anyone with the interest, passion and a few hours a month to spare. Anyone interested should visit the vacancies page on the MAVC website.
Notes for editors
- Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre, registered charity number 1194337, is an accredited museum (accreditation number 2358) run entirely by volunteers. It is situated 15 miles south-east of Lincoln on the B1189 near the village of Martin.
- More information about MAVC and its work is available on its website www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk or through its social media accounts.
- Enquiries should be sent to the MAVC Secretary, Mark Farrow, [email protected].
- Jet Provost XS186 is being restored by a team led by its owner, Paul Flynn. Images and video of previous engine and taxi runs can be found on its Facebook group.
- The "Inspired By" creative arts exhibition is featured on the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre Facebook page.
- More information on the RAF Benevolent Fund Dambusters Ride 2022 is available on the RAFBF website at https://www.rafbf.org/get-involved/events/dambusters-ride.
- Volunteer vacancies can be found on the MAVC website at https://www.metheringhamairfield.co.uk/vacancies.html.
