MORE than 100 ‘Rustics’, volunteers and friends of the Rural Life Centre in Tilford, gathered at the museum on Wednesday, February 24 for a presentation to the retiring director, Chris Shepheard.

When the museum’s founders, Madge and Henry Jackson opened their little collection in 1973, Chris was working as a photographer for the Farnham Herald and he was sent along to record the event.

Henry later asked him to take more pictures for him, saying “you take the photos and I will pay you in logs”. Henceforth the two got on so well that Chris became a volunteer worker and he was instrumental in setting up museum support group The Rustics in 1990.

He later became a trustee and when Henry retired in 1995, Chris was made manager and later director. During his time in charge the Rural Life Centre has expanded and gone from strength to strength. He was presented with a cheque for £350 by the Rustics’ welfare officer Trish Hayes.

Leadership of the centre now passes to the deputy director, Emma Midgley, who has considerable experience and qualifications in museum administration.

The Rural Life Centre opened for the summer season on Wednesday, March 2, with an exhibition on Thursley in the Great War arranged by the Thursley History Society.

During the school Easter holidays the museum will be again holding its popular family Activity Thursdays, plus a programme of events over Easter itself.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm each day. More details can be found online at www.rural-life.org.uk or by calling 01252 795571.