Wow!! What a day!!

We estimate over 250 people visited us today, and at times it was shoulder to shoulder with people absorbing Brandon’s heritage. Fantastic.

If you are one of those people who gave us feedback about your visit – THANK YOU. There are thirty survey forms to go through, all with valuable comments on how we can improve. The guestbook has loads of positive comments too, so it looks like the Open Day proved a hit.  People are tagging us on Twitter (@IP27Heritage) so hopefully we have inspire you in the town’s heritage.

If you donated money or bought a book from us – THANK YOU. Our trustees aim to cover our running costs, leaving your donation to go straight back into the centre. We have projects we need to get underway and your contribution will get us off the ground.

If you donated items on the day – THANK YOU. We received donations of photos of the Heritage Centre building from the time it was a Fire Station, and even a WW1 medal of a Brandon lad killed in the war. Both will be displayed with pride so the community can appreciate their value too.

If you volunteered to help today – THANK YOU. Your donation of time is as valuable as any financial offer. Today I watched volunteers actively engaging with the community. Most rewarding was hearing volunteers extol the virtues of the heritage, yet just an hour before were saying, “Well I volunteered but I don’t know anything about the heritage”. I also stood in awe at the energy of our more “mature” volunteers who continually greeted visitors through the day with a smile and a laugh. We should always appreciate our volunteers and the difference they can make to visitors and the centre.

MEAT MARKET – THANK YOU. Your rabbit stew went down a treat. True, an acquired taste for some, although one man downed quite a few portions and then took some home! Your support of the Heritage Centre is truly appreciated and we will gladly recommend your shop to all visitors.

Realising how proud I am to live here in Brandon…

So to wrap up today. Lots of positives for the Heritage Centre. There is only one way this place is going and that is upwards. Comments of “Realising how proud I am to live here in Brandon…” and “Brilliant” prove we have begun well.

Next on the agenda is to open every weekend. More news on that later …