The story of the Somme

The Mayor of Havant Cllr Faith Ponsonby opened a new exhibition at Emsworth Museum about the Somme, which includes a painting of Second Lieutenant Archie Paxton whose family home was Brookfield House, which is now The Brookfield Hotel in Emsworth

Picture: Malcolm Wells (160701-4271) — The Mayor of Havant Cllr Faith Ponsonby opened a new exhibition at Emsworth Museum about the Somme, which includes a painting of Second Lieutenant Archie Paxton whose family home was Brookfield House, which is now The Brookfield Hotel in Emsworth Picture: Malcolm Wells (160701-4271)

Emsworth Museum, in North Street, is hosting a display about the Battle of the Somme, which happened 100 years ago.

Dorothy Bone, from the Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust, explained: ‘The exhibition in the David Rudkin Room commemorates the battle and particularly remembers the local men who were involved in this campaign.

‘We are especially pleased that the Mayor of Havant, Cllr Faith Ponsonby, agreed to open the exhibition.

‘Her father was decorated during the battle and has contributed to this display. Some of the research was done by two students from Chichester University on a work experience module in Emsworth Museum in the second year of their history studies.’

The exhibition runs until the end of the month. The museum, which is accredited by Arts Council England, is open on Saturdays from 10.30am to 4.30pm and Sunday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.