Epping Forest District Museum is delighted to announce that Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, has been appointed as the Museum’s first-ever Patron.
Located on Sun Street in Waltham Abbey, the Museum houses an extraordinary collection of more than 100,000 objects, telling the story of life in Waltham Abbey and the wider Epping Forest District.
The current special exhibition explores the Second World War Home Front in the district, a subject with deep local significance and of particular interest and resonance for Dr Hudson, as wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill once served as MP for the area.
Alongside its fascinating displays, the Museum runs a vibrant programme of community events for all ages:
- Crafty Tuesdays at the Museum – 19 & 26 August. Drop in for creative arts and crafts sessions designed for children and their accompanying adults during the summer holidays.
- Dig for Victory Day – Saturday 16 August, 10 am – 4 pm. Celebrate the spirit of the WWII Home Front with local producers, allotment-grown vegetables, historical re-enactments, hands-on object handling, wartime games, and garden activities, including pot and seed painting. Tickets: £7 per adult; children go free.
- Block Print Your Own Poster – Wednesday 20 August, 2 pm – 4 pm. For ages 12–17: take inspiration from Buckhurst Hill artist Walter Spradbery’s iconic posters and learn block printing techniques with our Learning Officer. £7 per child, juice and biscuits included.
Booking is available via Epping Forest District Museum Trust CIO on TicketSource, or visitors can simply drop in on the day: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/efdmuseum
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, said:
“I am honoured to have been invited to become the first Patron of Epping Forest District Museum in Waltham Abbey.
“Having been to the museum on multiple occasions, I am thrilled to support this vital cultural institution that preserves and celebrates the rich history here in Epping Forest.
“Additionally, I am passionate about the Museum’s role in bringing our community together, especially through its outstanding work in education and inspiring young folk.”
Ian Channell, Manager of Epping Forest District Museum, said:
“Epping Forest District Museum CIO is delighted to announce that Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, has been appointed the first patron of the museum service.
“Epping Forest District Museum has been at the heart of the local community since 1974 and continues to play a central role in preserving the unique and significant history and culture of our district. Through engaging public exhibitions, events, and formal and informal learning initiatives, we proudly celebrate the diverse and fascinating stories of our local area.
“Neil’s commitment to public service, heritage and education align closely to the key missions of the museum service, and we are very excited to have him on board. We very much look forward to working with Neil to make sure the museum service continues to be the heart of the local community for years to come.”
