Coach trip to the Science Museum London. Saturday the 8th December 2012.
Thirty-Eight of us braved a chilly start from Wicksteed Park to go to the Science Museum London. I think for some of us who had not been into the central London area for many years, that part of the trip was a rude awakening to the reality of our Capital in the 21st century. We were greeted by wall-to-wall cars, coaches, buses, just about every kind of two wheeled machine you could think of and more signs than you “could shake a stick at”. Gone were the days as I remember them when you could have almost parked on the Museum doorstep for free or for very little cash after a quick dash down any of the A roads that led into the capital from Hertfordshire with maybe the odd traffic jam on the way.
Thirty-Eight of us braved a chilly start from Wicksteed Park to go to the Science Museum London. I think for some of us who had not been into the central London area for many years, that part of the trip was a rude awakening to the reality of our Capital in the 21st century. We were greeted by wall-to-wall cars, coaches, buses, just about every kind of two wheeled machine you could think of and more signs than you “could shake a stick at”. Gone were the days as I remember them when you could have almost parked on the Museum doorstep for free or for very little cash after a quick dash down any of the A roads that led into the capital from Hertfordshire with maybe the odd traffic jam on the way.
The Museum was again for me an eye opener. The whole building was packed with machines, gadgets and inventions that have improved our lives and shaped our destinies, and in very many cases that of the world, and so many out of little old GB.
From the outset it was evident that surprisingly boat and ship models were few and far between. One of us did ask the question, why, only to be told that the items on display at the museum reflected the demand from the visitors, of what they wanted to see.
From the outset it was evident that surprisingly boat and ship models were few and far between. One of us did ask the question, why, only to be told that the items on display at the museum reflected the demand from the visitors, of what they wanted to see.
Considering the important part that the sea has played in the forming of our Island Nation, I think they could have done better in this department. The collection is however in store at an RAF base at the moment and as with other National collections it may be possible to arrange to see them as a private party, if and it is a big if, they are stored in a position where they can be viewed. I will look into this in the New Year.
The museum is laid out over 7 floors, with thankfully lifts to all floors and a couple of restaurant’s and eating areas along the way.
I found the Space Hall lighting, dimmed down for effect didn’t do justice to the exhibits on show, not unlike the Bomber Hall at the Hendon RAF museum in that respect, my personal preference but I do like to have a clear well lit view of what’s on display.
The museum is laid out over 7 floors, with thankfully lifts to all floors and a couple of restaurant’s and eating areas along the way.
I found the Space Hall lighting, dimmed down for effect didn’t do justice to the exhibits on show, not unlike the Bomber Hall at the Hendon RAF museum in that respect, my personal preference but I do like to have a clear well lit view of what’s on display.
An area that did hold my attention was that of the inventions through the years, especially the 1940’s 50’s and 60’s, taking those three decades aside there would seem to be very little that we accept today as part of normal life that did not in one way or another come from that thirty year period.
On the top floors were displays of Medical equipment and practices up to about the 1980’s and I well remember the dentists’ drill driven by belts that used to squeal and slip when and not if the dentist got the drill stuck in your tooth, and the smell that once experienced never forgotten. Some of the depictions of major surgery in its infancy were not unlike a scene in my Grandfathers butchers shop in the 40’s and early 50’s, a bit gruesome to say the least.
There was a mezzanine area, I think missed by some from what I can gather though it was sign posted that was dedicated to models, models of all description including one of some printing equipment with the makers name plate, Timson’s Kettering on it. There were some excellent examples of the model makers’ art on this floor in all aspects of modelling, some were just quite stunning.
On the top floors were displays of Medical equipment and practices up to about the 1980’s and I well remember the dentists’ drill driven by belts that used to squeal and slip when and not if the dentist got the drill stuck in your tooth, and the smell that once experienced never forgotten. Some of the depictions of major surgery in its infancy were not unlike a scene in my Grandfathers butchers shop in the 40’s and early 50’s, a bit gruesome to say the least.
There was a mezzanine area, I think missed by some from what I can gather though it was sign posted that was dedicated to models, models of all description including one of some printing equipment with the makers name plate, Timson’s Kettering on it. There were some excellent examples of the model makers’ art on this floor in all aspects of modelling, some were just quite stunning.
A comment that I did make while at the Museum was, as I was taking photos of exhibits in cases the cleanliness of the glass in the cases and in the museum as a whole. Considering the amount of glass there, quite a feat and much appreciated.
On the way back to the coach we passed an outdoor skating rink set in a seasonal setting and packed with skaters of all ages, I have included one picture in the slideshow that accompanies this review for you to get a flavour of the scene.
It should be noted that again a couple of members bunked off this time paying a visit to Harrods a few hundred yards along the road from the museum, though not the same two who escaped from the Pumping station trip.
On the way back to the coach we passed an outdoor skating rink set in a seasonal setting and packed with skaters of all ages, I have included one picture in the slideshow that accompanies this review for you to get a flavour of the scene.
It should be noted that again a couple of members bunked off this time paying a visit to Harrods a few hundred yards along the road from the museum, though not the same two who escaped from the Pumping station trip.
If any of you have Pictures that they took and would like added, just email them to me, or let me have them on a memory stick or disk.
Paul Millers.
Paul Millers.