[Gayle]

Well, yesterday I was PMing Macca in a slight panic wondering if enough people would turn up. Today I was absolutely thrilled when 35 people showed up for the coach. The idea to go to the museum came out of the meeting with the Heritage Lottery people ages ago and they suggested we did it but I have to be honest, I was never quite sure whether we'd get the enthusiasm for it.

We set off at just after 11 and it took about 3/4 hour to get there. The mood was very quiet on the coach and I was still unsure about how this would go. When we got there I think everyone was struck by the scale the exhibition is on - every corner is packed with information and memorabilia - and I think everyone seemed impressed by it all. We were welcomed very warmly by Dave, who also gave us a talk later on which was informative and fun too. So, thanks to the museum staff for their help.

As I walked around the mood quickly started to shift to general happiness and interest in the exhibits. Some people whizzed around the museumy bit and headed to the games room, others took an hour or so and read everything.

People started chatting, not just to their little groups but to everyone else as well. The two young lads from Moorhead were a delight and proof that some teenagers are capable of more than grunting. They had a great time and I spoke to them on the coach on the way home, they too had been unsure as the day started but were having a fab time towards the end.

I know that museums aren't everyone's cup of tea but this is a really good one. Everyone that I spoke to seemed to have had a really good day and got something out of it. The forms have all been returned and are great for the project.

If you missed this because you thought 'museums aren't for me' well you missed out, big style.

Thank you to everyone for making me feel welcome and if this is a sign of how the project will go then I think we're in for a great, no let's make that fantastic, project.