In the Second World War, Victory Mail, also known as Airgraph, was a way by which soldiers communicated home.  It was invented in the 1930s by Eastman Kodak Company in conjunction with Imperial Airways, now known as British Airways.

Letters were written on set stationary, which was a sheet of paper that had printed instructions on the back and a space for a return and mailing address. There was also a space on the front for the letter to be written, this could be folded into an envelope.  It was not rationed and could be posted for three pence (3d). 

The letters were all read and censored before they were photographed.  The photographs were put on microfilm and sent to their destination.  At their destination the negatives were then printed on photographic paper and delivered as letters through the normal postal service.  This was done to reduce the weight and therefore more letters could be sent at any one time.  Also, the photographing of the original made it impossible for communication in invisible ink, microdots or microprinting.

However, there were problems with V-Mail, letters had to be short and frequently women would leave lipstick marks on the letters which would jam the scanning machine, this was referred to as “Scarlet Scourge” by postal workers.

In April this year Havering Museum will be celebrating the theme of love in Shakespeare’s plays, hosting a photographic display by the Romford Summer Theatre. This display will explore how Shakespeare’s plays portrayed the theme of love, from romance and affection, to jealousy and alienation.

The project will involve thousands of local people in the lead up to The Queen’s Theatre Diamond Anniversary in 2013. To get involved, come along and sign up at the Project Launch in the Queen’s Theatre Foyer onWednesday 15 February 2012, 12 noon to 3 pm.

The project will look back at the beginnings of The Queen’s Theatre in Station Lane and the blossoming town of Hornchurchin the early 1950s.

This project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Volunteers are needed to assist with researching the early history of the Queen’s and its surrounding area by using local libraries and the Theatre’s own archive as well as interviewing people who were working with the Theatre during this time. Full training will be provided.

Findings will be arranged into a vibrant collection of memories, photographs and recordings. This will be presented in a series of fascinating interactive exhibitions and talks at the Queen’s as well as various places around Havering including the Museum, libraries, schools and other community venues. The research will also contribute to the Queen’s Theatre’s 2012 Community Musical, to be staged in July and featuring over 50 local people.

Anyone interested in signing up as a volunteer for this thrilling stroll down memory lane will be warmly welcomed at the Project Launch on Wednesday 15 February, where they can find out more. Refreshments will be served. They can also contact Irida on 01708 462365 or iridan@queens-theatre.co.uk

Havering Museum will be hosting a range of detective activities throughout February half-term 2012.

Finger Printing, Wednesday 15 February 2012, 1 pm to 2 pm.

Learn about crime detection and finger printing with the Police Cadets.

Become Sherlock Holmes and Solve Cases, Thursday 16 February 2012, 1 pm to 2pm.

Become a time travelling junior detective. Go back in time and discover crimes. Get involved and decide what is the right sentence and punishment.

Become a Forensic Detective, Friday 17 February 2012, 1 pm to 2 pm. 

Get involved in modern day forensics and see how you could solve a crime.

Pre-booking is required for these events. Admission is £3 per person. For more information, or to book, phone Havering Museum on 01708 766 571.

The exhibition exploring law and enforcement in Havering from Saxon times to the modern day will be displayed until Saturday 17 March 2012. For more information on Havering Museum’s Crime and Punishment exhibition, or to book places at our exciting February half-term activities, visit the Museum website, or phone the Museum on 01708 766 571.

This exhibition was researched and completed by four of Havering Museum’s most dedicated volunteers. The Metropolitan Police Service, HM Revenue and Customs and many local people have also contributed information and artifacts to make this a truly fascinating exhibition.

Crime and Punishment explores the development of law from the Vikings to the modern day. The topics covered are folklore, witchcraft, the history of smuggling and the wartime black market. As well as discussing the formation of the Police Force to modern day Policing and  “The Takeover” in Havering of the Metropolitan Police in 1965, a very important historical event for our London Borough.

Visitors will discover information on punishments ranging from floggings, transportation, hangings to more modern day sentencing, imprisonment and fines.  There will be life size stocks, Police uniforms, and model Police cars on display within the Museum.

Crime and Punishment launches on Saturday 14 January 2012 11 am in Romford Market, where 3 classic Police cars will be on display. Bicycle Marking will also be available - carried out by local Police Officers. The exhibition at Havering Museum opens at 11.15 am.

At the launch children will have the opportunity to dress up as Police Officers. A Police “Noddy” bike will be positioned in the foyer of the Museum for Saturday 14 January only.

A series of 6 lectures are available during the evening between January to March. There will also be February half-term activities available. For more information on the different activities linked to the exhibition look at Havering Museum’s Winter Warmers Programme.

In the first session the students explored the Havering Museum galleries studying the unique and interesting objects and how they related to the development of the area.

In the second session the students were able to handle objects. This included replica Victorian Toys with the pupils using their historical enquiry skills to solve the mystery of how they were used. As well as, handling blacksmith tools from Havering-atte-Bower.

In the third session the students learnt about the Victorian Flood in Romford. They discovered after 14 days of continuous rain in August 1888 the banks of the River Rom burst flooding the entire town of Romford. In some places the water was over six foot high. Over 30,000 casks of beer were swept away from the Romford Brewery, some as far away as Southend Pier. Thankfully, no one was killed by this Great Flood.

During the session about the Victorian Flood the pupils were asked to think about how they would have felt if they were caught by the flood – imagining their possessions had floated away and their livelihoods lost -creating a poem or short story. One pupil, Paul Ajayi, summed up his feelings of the flood by writing the following poem:

If you are interested in booking a school session at Havering Museum contact the Museum Educator by phoning 01708 766 571.

Havering Museum has some very exciting activities coming up over Christmas.

Family Card-Making, Saturday 3 December 2011, 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm.

This holiday make a unique Christmas Card for someone special at our annual Christmas Family Card- Making session. Don’t Forget to book as spaces are quickly disappearing.

Christmas Craft Workshop, Wednesday 7 December 2011, 2 pm to 4 pm.

At this session learn how to make an easel calendar card as well as creating a unique small gift box for someone special this Christmas.

Old Toys and Games, Saturday 10 December 2011, 2 pm to 4 pm.

Join us for another fantastic Old Toys and Games session at Havering Museum this Christmas period. This session is open to the whole family. Come and play some old-fashioned games with a Christmas twist!

An Evening of Christmas Magic, Thursday 15 December 2011, 5 pm to 7 pm.

This evening will begin with some seasonal poetry, followed by magical Christmas stories related to Havering. Admission includes entry to the museum and seasonal refreshments. This will also be the perfect opportunity to find Christmas presents in our gift shop.

Time Travel Through Christmas, Wednesday 21 December 2011, 1 pm to 3pm. 

Join us for this fabulous Christmas themed event. Discover the origins of Father Christmas and the traditions which make Christmas magical. Travel through time and find out how people celebrate Christmas throughout history.

Children’s Christmas Storytelling, Thursday 22 December 2011, 1 pm to 2.30 pm 

Bring your children to this storytelling session about the magical time of Christmas. This activity is suitable for children aged between 4 and 7 years old.

Admission applies to all these events. For more information, or to book, phone Havering Museum on 01708 766 571. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you at one of our many activities!

The archaeology club members have created this display after weeks of research into Romford Market and St. Edward’s Church.

Havering Museum would like to congratulate all the members of Havering Archaeology for completing the course:

• Brin Bond
• Laura Kirk
• Samuel Wilkinson
• Eleanor Mackintosh
• Caitlin Mackintosh
• Victoria Lock
• Helen Whittington
• Sarah Rose

We would also like to thank our volunteers Jerry Cummings and Chloe Branwhite for supervising the members of the young club in discovering more about archaeology.

The display will be in the Museum entrance until Saturday 3 December 2011. If you’re free why don’t you pop along to the Museum and discover what our Young Archaeology Club learnt about.

Volunteer Monica next to the Chapman & Andre map in the museum reception area.

Our Friday and Saturday Front of House volunteer Monica likes to know what captivates our visitors attention.  One of the first things that does, is the John Chapman & Peter Andre 1777 Map of Essex situated in the museum reception area, just beside the entrance to the galleries. 

It might not be the earliest map of Essex, but in terms of accuracy and sufficient coverage of milestone locations, it’s one of the most accurate early maps of the local area.

According to Monica, visitors are really fascinated by the map which illustrates the area we now know as Havering in the late 18^th Century.  She says, ‘visitors like to see if their road or address existed in that year.’  And even if it did not, there are plenty of familiar landmarks and names, not to mention clues as to the origins of name places today.

Ellen Owen, Director of Havering Museum and Stephen Keogh, Business Development Manager, were shocked and pleased to pick up the award at the ceremony on Friday 7 October 2011.

During the evening Havering Museum had the pleasure of sharing a table with the Academy of African Art. We will be working with them during October half term, for two fascinating sessions on African Art & Crafts and African Music & Drumming. To discover more about our October half term activities click here.

With your support we can continue to provide exciting family fun activities, adult lectures and craft workshops for the community of Havering.

For information on all the other lucky winners at the awards ceremony visit the Havering Business Awards website.

To celebrate Black History Month this October, Havering Museum welcomes the Academy of African Arts for two sessions.

African Art & Crafts, Wednesday 26 October, 12 noon to 1 pm

In the first session on Wednesday 26 October, you will be exposed to the rich African History of Art and Crafts. Everyone will have the opportunity to create their own African art to take home at the end of the session. Participants will be encouraged to make use of the ‘Elements of Art’ including colour, geometric shapes and lines. Admission is £3 per person.

African Music & Drumming, Friday 28 October, 12 noon to 1 pm

In the second session on Friday 28 October the activity is based on African drumming and music skills. No prior knowledge is required for this fun and energising workshop. Learn different African songs and chants and the importance of music to African culture. Admission is £3 per person.

Havering Museum also has a Children’s Ghost Event on Thursday 27 October, 1 pm to 2.30 pm. Havering’s local witch, Nellie Asbo, makes a return flying visit for story telling and puppet-making. Last year this event was so scary the children covered their eyes when listening to the spooky stories. Do not miss this event! Admission £3.50 per person.

For more information, or to book, for any of these sessions phone Havering Museum on 01708 766571.

The first three photos were supplied by the Academy of African Art.