New displays for the new year at museum

Belford and District Hidden History Museum reopened on January 3 after a two-week closure to renew the displays.

In the back room there are fresh displays about Belford Auction Mart, Coaching and the Blue Bell, and a fascinating display of a Belford GP’s surgical bag and contents.

The bag originally belonged to Dr Willie McDonald, who died in 1955, and has been donated to the museum by his daughter-in-law Trish McDonald.

In the front room, the story of Belford’s part in the First World War comes to an end with a series of panels dealing with 1918 and 1919.

Among the interesting items on display are a trench saw, bayonet souvenir pins, and a ‘trench art’ lighter made from a bullet.

The museum also continues its programme of free presentations commemorating the First World War. In the Ferguson Hall, at 2.30pm, on January 21, there will be a showing of the 2014 film Testament of Youth.

On February 4, the popular speaker Lucy Adlington returns with the History Wardrobe’s V For Victory about life on the Home Front, including the work of the Land Army girls, the struggle for women to gain the vote and the celebrations when the war ended. The talk is free, by ticket only, call 01668 219653 to book.