A few years ago eight of us from the Friends Committee visited the second-hand bookshop run by volunteers at Wimpole Hall. It was situated in a converted stable yard, similar to our new one at Hylands. Their income then was £30,000 a year!
At the time the Friends were thinking of alternative fund-raising methods to the Friends' Teas in the House on the first Sunday of each month. We knew that teas in the House would have to stop when the Stable Centre cafe was opened.
After the visit, the Committee were not too keen on the idea of a bookshop. However, as time went by, it became increasingly clear that Hylands' staff were interested in there being a second hand bookshop in the Stable Centre.
During the past year the idea resurfaced amongst the Friends. Stan Kaluza and Martin Easteal took up the challenge and gradually, with support from the Council the bookshop became a reality. Stan put in a lot of physical work, fitting the bookshop; and together with the efforts of Martin Easteal, Babs Sargeant, Pam Hunnable and others, an attractive bookshop and a band of 80 bookshop volunteers have been created.
To date, income has reached £3,000.
At the recent meeting of the Executive Committee, Ceri Lowen, House Manager, reported that the intended springtime opening of the Exhibition, prepared by Lt Col Keith Edlin, Secretary of the SAS Association and their archivist, would have to be postponed until mid summer, due to delays in acquiring display cabinets.
At the request of the Friends, Keith has produced poster type display material for putting around the walls of a room, or along the walls of a corridor, showing the evolution of the regiment, from its inception in the Middle East during WW2 to its stand down at Hylands in October 1945. Col Paddy Mayne, the most decorated British fighting soldier in the war was its commanding officer. Keith has arranged for material from the SAS Museum to be put on display in cabinets supplied by the House.
My wife Hazel asked me to thank all the Friends who wrote and wished her a speedy recovery from her stroke. Hazel is home now and is making good progress. Her walking is improving every day and her mind is as sharp as a razor, and full of good humour. Thanks to everyone who contacted her - it was a good stimulation.
Patrick Bermingham
Newsletter Editor