On 4th December 2009, BPMA staff and guests made their way up to Blists Hill for the official launch of the Museum of the Post Office in the Community.
Among the guests were David Wright, MP for Telford, and members of the local postal history society.
Guests enjoy festive food and mulled wine before the speeches
Roger Green from Royal Mail using a special cancellation mark to commemorate the occasion.
The event started with mulled wine and speeches, and the opportunity to send a special cover marking the occasion. This was followed by tours of the Blists Hill site, and BPMA curator Chris Taft then gave more detailed tours of the Museum of the Post Office in the Community.
Speeches from Adrian Steel (BPMA Director), Barrie Williams (Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Chairman of Trustees), and Brian Goodey (BPMA Chairman of Trustees).
Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust staff give tours of the Blists Hill site.
Chris Taft gives tours of the Museum of the Post Office in the Community.
We were also joined by Colin and Margaret Bedford, members of the March Veteran and Vintage Cycle Club, who came dressed as a period postman and postwoman, complete with Hen & Chicks and parcels!
Colin and Maragret Bedford
Colin Bedford riding his Hen & Chicks outside the Blists Hill Post Office
The launch was a success, and the exhibition will now be open permanently to the public. To find out more please go to http://www.postalheritage.org.uk/visiting/ironbridge
Posted in Ironbridge Tagged: Blists Hill Victorian Town, BPMA, cancellation marks, David Wright MP, GPO, Hen & Chicks, Ironbridge Gorge, Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, mulled wine, Museum of the Post Office in the Community, Post Office, Roger Green, Royal Mail, The British Postal Museum & Archive
