Mid Suffolk Light Railway a.k.a “The Middy” – Best Museum in Suffolk!

By admin

Not necessarily stating that as an opinion, but the Middy has just been named at a recent awards ceremony as Suffolk’s best museum!

The Award came from the Association for Suffolk Museums competition which is now in its third year and celebrates the successes of its more than 30 officially accredited members across the county.

And at the final event at University Campus Suffolk it was revealed the MSLR had been named Museum of the Year for 2014.

The award was collected by Edmund Crosthwaite, MSLR trustee and Operating Superintendent, John Stark, MSLR vice-chairman, John Reeve, the museum’s marketing manager, events manager Justyn Keeble and locomotive manager John Durrant.

A public vote running from the beginning of June until the end of August decided the shortlist of eight museums which were then visited by a three-person judging panel from the East Anglian Daily Times newspaper, which featured articles on all the museums competing during the voting period, UCS and the AfSM.

Speaking to the EADT after the result was announced Mr Reeve said: “It’s amazing to win this award, and a testament to the hard work of our volunteers.

“Being named Suffolk Museum of the Year will help to raise our profile further and let more people know we are out here offering a unique experience in the county.

“The one thing we hope it will be able to do is assist us in the future with further developments at the museum.”

This year was the first time the MSLR has made the shortlist. Its previous most recent award was the Heritage Railway Association’s Interpretation Award in 2012.

Check out the Middy’s website for lots more info.

As an aside, the Middy always makes me think of an amazing song by local singer/songwriter and very good friend of mine, Keith Sadler. He wrote a wonderful song in honour and memory of his late mother, called “In East Anglian Fields” and the Middy features in the song. Keith’s grandfather was a crossing guard on the railway and his mother was born in the gatehouse of the railway crossing near Wetheringsett, literally feet away from the tracks. She then spent her youth in that same gatehouse. You can listen to this beautiful song on Soundcloud and if you like Keith’s music, do check him out on his website.

I have the honour of playing bass and doing some backing vocals on In East Anglian Fields and some of his other songs but don’t let that put you off!

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