Volunteers come in hoards

1 February 2010

Museum officials at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery have been overwhelmed by volunteers who have offered more than 5,000 hours of their time to help steward the forthcoming exhibition of over 80 artefacts from The Staffordshire Hoard.

Officials had asked for help to look after an expected bumper turnout of visitors to the exhibition between 13 February and 7 March, and received more than double the amount of support it needed within just a week.

The forthcoming exhibition will display items that have never been on public display before. It is also the first time the treasure will be exhibited in Staffordshire, the county in which it was found.

Councillor Hazel Lyth, cabinet member for economic development and culture, said: “It goes to demonstrate the way local people feel about the importance of the hoard for the region and I’m thrilled by such an overwhelming response.”

Stoke museums volunteer co-ordinator Andrew Watts added: “We have also had offers to help from Anglo-Saxon re-enactor groups. This means that on the day the exhibition opens, Saturday 13 February, we will be joined by King Raedweld of Sutton Hoo, some of his warriors, craftsmen and other folk. They will show how gold items, similar to those in the hoard, were worn and made. Other volunteer Anglo-Saxons will be with us during the display.”
 

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