November Talk with Susan Mockler of the Athelstan Museum

IT’S NOVEMBER! – the year is coming to an end and Q4 is well under way. We're talking to small businesses about their plans for the final two months of 2022 and today we're talking to Susan Mockler who is vice-chair of the Athelstan Museum.

The museum is based in the Malmesbury Town Hall and is open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30-4.30 and Sunday 11.30-3.30

What’s your business highlight for November 2022 (or even from October 2022)?
The highlight throughout November has been acquiring three new items for the museum –

• A pamphlet  - first edition. ‘Seven Philosophical Problems and two Propositions of Geometry’ by Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury and Dedicated to the King 1662.
• A letter written by Charles I  to Prince Rupert mentioning Malmesbury. Complete with signature and paper  seal.
• A rare Athelstan coin. This is a silver penny of Athelstan (924-39), King of Wessex and later king of all Britain. The coin was struck at the mint of Wallingford by the moneyer Athelmund. Very few coins feature both Athelstan’s portrait and extended title (Athelstan rex to Brit). This coin does, and is the only penny of Wallingford to do so.

This is a month for Bonfire Night & Diwali – do either of those hold meaning or memory for you?
I love Bonfire Night. I have memories of Catherine wheels that never went round and potatoes baked in the bonfire.

November represents Movember – Men’s Health Awareness Month. What, if anything does this mean to you?
I support my friends and family through particular charities who have benefited from information and treatment

What’s your top tip for being positive in the midst of a lot of negativity?
I love to spend time with family and friends – talking, discussing, sharing and above all, laughing.

Have you got any services or special offers you'd like to mention?
We will have new books and items in the museum shop for sale in time for Christmas. They'll make great presents for family and friends,

And finally, is there anything else you’d like to say?
Athelstan museum is entirely run and managed by a dedicated group of volunteers who raise funds, man the museum, organise events and all the exhibitions. One visitor has written in the visitors book that the museum is,’fascinating, informative, amusing and well laid out with very friendly volunteers’. 

For more information on the museum visit www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk