In the days of printed Nauti News, I had my occasional rant about some of the regulations that come our way. Forgive me if I return to this well-worn subject with two recent examples of the 1984 - should it now be 2014 - world we inhabit.
A couple of members of the Office team are doing an NVQ in Super Advanced Arithmetic. A few days after they started, one of them walked into my office with a ruler, looked around and started drawing something on a pad of paper. 'What are you up to?' I asked with the air of Mr Brown faced with Mrs Cameron wandering around No 10 carrying a tape measure. 'Are you measuring my coffin or are you planning to re-decorate my office at last?'
The answer was so obvious, I had not thought of it: before doing the (written) Arithmetic test, the tutor had insisted that the student draw a plan of the office, marking on it all the desks and chairs and identifying all the hazards. Only when that was complete were they allowed to get on with the long division or whatever it was. I do not know if they included a picture of a pencil (sharp) or boss (cross at the waste of time on stupid tasks).
A few days later I enquired whether the results had come in. 'Yes, but I was not allowed to discuss the answers until I had reported how many reportable accidents and incidents of bullying there had been since I had done the test.'
Quite separately, I also received details of a new NVQ in Culture Heritage Management, a subject I thought I knew something about having been working in the field for over 20 years. The three bullet points at the top of the sheet of paper started with something along the lines 'Understanding the effect you have on other peoples' safety'. What was I expecting? Perhaps something along the lines 'What do we mean by Cultural Heritage?' or 'Why do we preserve the past?' or 'How do we preserve the past?'
It just shows how I need training. For 20+ years I have been unaware that the most important thing about cultural heritage management was safety; I thought it was to do with the past. Mind you, long ago there was a sign on Launceston Castle which simply said: 'Danger children'. I wish I had photographed it and made a cut-out badge for some of us.
Contrary to common belief, it is not EU or government legislation that demands such idiocies. It is mindless low-level adherence to what people think is important in the modern world. Fashions will change in a few years and we will have another thing to worry about but for now, grrrrr ...
Sorry, I must go; I need to draw a picture of my tea cup and make a large sign saying 'Hot tea'. Hang on, doesn't tea have some interesting side effect? I must add that to the sign.
Jonathan
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Friday, 20 November 2009
On a quiet day
by Martin Smith, Volunteer
I have spent many a shift wondering why I volunteer at the maritime museum. I have come to the conclusion that in some way or another I actually enjoy it. Whether it is that you never know who you are to speak to next or whether they have an interesting tale or experience relating to the sea to tell which I learn from, I am not sure. But certainly my life and knowledge of all things nautical has broadened since I joined over 2 years ago. I have learnt a great deal from some of the volunteers, especially the ones who had been to sea for a career. And then again, I enjoy meeting, talking and hopefully helping visitors enjoy their visit to the museum. The icing on the cake is, as today, when a lady thanked me for making her visit so enjoyable. To be very honest, she was more knowledgeable about the 'classic' boats on the pontoon than I was. Yes, to be a volunteer can be very rewarding.
So if, on a quiet day, you wonder why you are here, just remember that there's time to have a really good conversation with a visitor, and that in doing so you will make all the difference to their visit.
I have spent many a shift wondering why I volunteer at the maritime museum. I have come to the conclusion that in some way or another I actually enjoy it. Whether it is that you never know who you are to speak to next or whether they have an interesting tale or experience relating to the sea to tell which I learn from, I am not sure. But certainly my life and knowledge of all things nautical has broadened since I joined over 2 years ago. I have learnt a great deal from some of the volunteers, especially the ones who had been to sea for a career. And then again, I enjoy meeting, talking and hopefully helping visitors enjoy their visit to the museum. The icing on the cake is, as today, when a lady thanked me for making her visit so enjoyable. To be very honest, she was more knowledgeable about the 'classic' boats on the pontoon than I was. Yes, to be a volunteer can be very rewarding.
So if, on a quiet day, you wonder why you are here, just remember that there's time to have a really good conversation with a visitor, and that in doing so you will make all the difference to their visit.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Pat's tribute to Ralph Bird
At the funeral service Pat Crockford gave an address of which this is an extract.
I have known Ralph for the best part of 50 years having met him when we were working together at Falmouth Boat Construction. At the time he was 18 years old and his nickname was Kitty Wee after his uncle Fred. We were work mates with a strong interest in CRA rowing which led to Ralph's interest in gigs.
When building a hollow mast at FBC we would put a wieght inside so that it rattled when rolling. Another trick was to tie a bucket under a punt so as to make it hard to row for the joiners going to work afloat.
After Boat Construction we went our own ways. Ralph stayed boat building, married Rosemary and had three children: Vanessa, John and Patrick but any time he needed help I was there. Like the time we brought the gig Sussex from the Isles of Scilly to Pill Creek on the deck of my fishing boat so that he could rebuild her.
In 1971 Ralph, with Truro Riowing Club, attempted to row the gig Campernell to Roscoff but unfortunately had to abandon the attempt because of bad weather.
On one occasion he repaired a Hayle skiff for John Daniel. When finished, Ralph, John and I raced her and won the Fal Race in a time of 47.5 minutes. The total age of the crew was 170 years. Ralph was always looking for turns to use in buidling gigs and, even in this race, we were looking for fallen trees.
Ralph also worked for Falmouth Marine College where he built Energy which was his first gig. Little did he know that there were 120 to follow. He also made the steering wheel for Adix.
Later, Ralph became a volunteer at the Museum where his favourite boat was Daisy Belle which he completely restored. By this time he had met and married Marie with whom he wrote a book about Devoran. Remembering events and dates was very easy for him.
Instead of 'see you again' I now have to say 'goodbye': the hardest thing of all. Ralph, you will not be forgotten.
I have known Ralph for the best part of 50 years having met him when we were working together at Falmouth Boat Construction. At the time he was 18 years old and his nickname was Kitty Wee after his uncle Fred. We were work mates with a strong interest in CRA rowing which led to Ralph's interest in gigs.
When building a hollow mast at FBC we would put a wieght inside so that it rattled when rolling. Another trick was to tie a bucket under a punt so as to make it hard to row for the joiners going to work afloat.
After Boat Construction we went our own ways. Ralph stayed boat building, married Rosemary and had three children: Vanessa, John and Patrick but any time he needed help I was there. Like the time we brought the gig Sussex from the Isles of Scilly to Pill Creek on the deck of my fishing boat so that he could rebuild her.
In 1971 Ralph, with Truro Riowing Club, attempted to row the gig Campernell to Roscoff but unfortunately had to abandon the attempt because of bad weather.
On one occasion he repaired a Hayle skiff for John Daniel. When finished, Ralph, John and I raced her and won the Fal Race in a time of 47.5 minutes. The total age of the crew was 170 years. Ralph was always looking for turns to use in buidling gigs and, even in this race, we were looking for fallen trees.
Ralph also worked for Falmouth Marine College where he built Energy which was his first gig. Little did he know that there were 120 to follow. He also made the steering wheel for Adix.
Later, Ralph became a volunteer at the Museum where his favourite boat was Daisy Belle which he completely restored. By this time he had met and married Marie with whom he wrote a book about Devoran. Remembering events and dates was very easy for him.
Instead of 'see you again' I now have to say 'goodbye': the hardest thing of all. Ralph, you will not be forgotten.
Monday, 16 November 2009
Vicious Vikings
A group of vicious Vikings invaded the museum over the weekend.
This Viking looks particularly scary - can you guess which member of staff it is?
Friday, 13 November 2009
Halloween Happenings
by Derryth RidgeHalloween saw some super scary family activities. Children were turned into Frankenstein and witches, and created their own rats and bats familiars.
A fantastically freaky time was had by all!
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Grumpy Volunteer Corner
by Keith Evans
Nauti News now appears on a new website and they’ve been trying to drag me kicking and screaming into the new world of technology instead of having to decipher my scrawl. They don’t realise I still have a stock of quill pens.
We must do something dramatic to draw public attention to the front of the museum. I’ve always thought it a bit uninspiring and bland. I suggest a mast of a square rigger. We could then have volunteers manning the yardarms with the most athletic one (have we got an athletic volunteer?) acting as buttonboy on the truck. We could ‘splice the main brace’ with a tot of rum, preferably after the volunteers have come down. Health and safety would spoil the effect by demanding a safety net. Which reminds me, Santa Clause will be a little late this year because he’s not allowed to land on the roof to come down the chimney. He’s got to erect scaffolding.
The oddball this edition must go to the chap who asked ‘What use was that Drebbel submarine? It’s useless. You can’t see out of it. You can’t do anything with it.’ I pointed out that in the 17th century it was the cutting edge of technology. He wasn’t convinced. He went off muttering ‘It’s useless.’
I think we should have a wishing well. The idea came to me when two little spoilt children were given tokens for the boats by their doting mother. ‘A token for you dear and there’s yours.’ The brats hurled them into the pool! ‘Now that wasn’t very clever was it?’ said the pathetic mother. I was all for chucking the kids in after their tokens.
Nothing very romantic has happened recently unless you count the couple by the mermaid in The Hold. I just entered in time to see the young chap get a thump from his pretty girlfriend. I could only speculate what he said or did to deserve it. Suggestions on a postcard to the editor please.
Nauti News now appears on a new website and they’ve been trying to drag me kicking and screaming into the new world of technology instead of having to decipher my scrawl. They don’t realise I still have a stock of quill pens.
We must do something dramatic to draw public attention to the front of the museum. I’ve always thought it a bit uninspiring and bland. I suggest a mast of a square rigger. We could then have volunteers manning the yardarms with the most athletic one (have we got an athletic volunteer?) acting as buttonboy on the truck. We could ‘splice the main brace’ with a tot of rum, preferably after the volunteers have come down. Health and safety would spoil the effect by demanding a safety net. Which reminds me, Santa Clause will be a little late this year because he’s not allowed to land on the roof to come down the chimney. He’s got to erect scaffolding.
The oddball this edition must go to the chap who asked ‘What use was that Drebbel submarine? It’s useless. You can’t see out of it. You can’t do anything with it.’ I pointed out that in the 17th century it was the cutting edge of technology. He wasn’t convinced. He went off muttering ‘It’s useless.’
I think we should have a wishing well. The idea came to me when two little spoilt children were given tokens for the boats by their doting mother. ‘A token for you dear and there’s yours.’ The brats hurled them into the pool! ‘Now that wasn’t very clever was it?’ said the pathetic mother. I was all for chucking the kids in after their tokens.
Nothing very romantic has happened recently unless you count the couple by the mermaid in The Hold. I just entered in time to see the young chap get a thump from his pretty girlfriend. I could only speculate what he said or did to deserve it. Suggestions on a postcard to the editor please.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
That's me in the picture ...
Education Volunteer Pam Fuller can be seen here with a wonderful illustration of herself standing in the main hall. This is one of 10 beautiful illustrations by local artist Suki Haughton which were commissioned by Debs Rogers for a new ‘big book’ educational resource. ‘What May Be There’, was written by local writer Elfréa Lockley and is about a school trip to see Deb’s alter ego ‘Oceana’ during an ‘Under the Sea’ workshop. It was commissioned to help allay any anxieties young children may have about their first museum visit. The book will be sent to the school on booking the workshop and read to the children by their teacher. It is a magical story which will fire up the children’s imagination and make their visit to see Oceana all the more exciting and memorable. A copy has been left in 1912 for your perusal.Debs Rogers
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Halloween
Curiously, the Museum was full of ghouls, ghosts and witches on Halloween, all determined to boost the 'scream count' on last year's blood-curdling total. And they succeeded. After a showing of The Witches, children and adults were taken on a walk around the silent and dark building by some obliging witches.But all was not as it seemed. A ghost was walking the Learning Centre balcony; the captain of the Mohegan was afoot in the Hold and a spooky creature emerged from the dory. The prize for screams went to the double act of Stuart and Michael who wrong-footed visitors by the dory while the prize for makeup went to Olly for his balcony ghoul.
As a finale we met the children in the cafe to re-assure them that all was well and that Father Christmas is (not) real.
Thanks to Debs and Derryth for organising us and doing some fantastic makeup.
See the link on the right for a slideshow of the team.
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