PICTURES of two chairmen who have been involved from the March Museum’s beginning have been unveiled in a ceremony at the museum.

A small crowd gathered to see the portrait of the late Peter Hewitt and a photograph of the late Harold Edgely unveiled on Wednesday, October 26, who paid respect to the chairmen who inspired volunteers at the museum and the whole community.

Mr Edgely was chair when the March Historical Collection Society was formed in 1971 with the help of a �50 donation from the March Rotary Club after the formation of a collection to show the history and development of the town was discussed in a Rotary meeting in the 1960s.

In the same year the society moved into their home on the High Street, Mr Hewitt was elected secretary, before he took over the chairman’s role in 1997.

Amanda Carlin, who unveiled the pictures, said: “Both gentlemen were a great inspiration to the Museum, our volunteers and the whole community around us and we are delighted to celebrate all they have done for our Museum and what their efforts mean today.”

The society’s name changed to March and District Museum Society in 1972 with the first exhibitions being held at The Further Education Centre, formerly the March Grammar School, on Station Road with items being loaned to the society.

Over time owners forgot to take back their items and a enlarging collection formed in cardboard boxes in a storeroom meaning a permanent home was needed.

When March Town Council bought the redundant South District Infant School, the museum society raised money for the re-roofing and various shops donated display cases to set up the exhibits for the museum’s opening in May 1977.

Ms Carlin added: “Harold and Peter were both involved with March Museum for most of its existence and without them it would not be here.

“We are all privileged to have been involved with them and today we are celebrating their contribution to the museum and looking forward to continuing what they started for years to come.”