To all Violette’s special Friends who admire her so much!

Spring 2023

I am so very sad to say Violette has recently lost her wonderful Lady Artist – Phyllis Smith of Dingestow. Phyl and Dereck attended the opening of Violette’s Museum on the 24th June 2000. From then on she wanted to be involved and to help in any way possible! That is when her daughter Ann suggested helping through her art!! Then followed a series of lovely pictures of the Museum and surrounding area. These I have had made into delightful greeting cards etc. Dereck her husband, who sadly died several years ago, decided to join her and took over caring for the garden and area in the most wonderful way! So we all worked tirelessly for Violette!! May God bless them for their remarkable help – R.I.P.

Last year, on the 10th July, we did manage to hold her postponed 100th anniversary celebration, which apart from the heat went off splendidly and was much enjoyed by so many, many of her great devotees coming from far and wide!!

A film so generously made and donated by Tewkesbury YMCA Movie Makers will from now be on sale at the Museum, and our great gratitude goes to them!

Please remember we still have copies of another wonderful film, made on the day of the Museum’s opening, by Marcus Davidson containing many remarkable interviews with many special people.

Following the several lost years due to the terrible Coronavirus I am hoping this year to resume my original programme of opening the Museum each Wednesday from April to October, 11:30am – 1pm and 2.30pm – 4pm. I have been asked to give several talks etc, so with God’s help I should be back on track!! Also one or two for 2024 – people forever hopeful!

Last Christmas proved to be a very sad time for me – my little cat “Sweet-Pea” became ill, died and left me. I miss her very much – she was always with me!

On a happy note – a young cousin Calista organised a truly wonderful Christmas parcel for me containing lots of special items, which brought great pleasure!! I would also very much wish to thank so many of you for your beautiful cards and good wishes to Violette and myself.

Great News! I have heard from Ruby Ann, she is to be with us on the 9th July, also bringing her great friend Racheal, who will join with her in entertaining all of us!!

The Pilgrim Hotel – ever supportive of Violette and is again holding her special evening meal following the celebration on the 9th July – and is planning two weekends in her name! Murder Mystery one on Saturday 12th August and Murder Mystery two on Saturday 26th August. Perhaps you might care to return and join her dates in August? They should be great fun, and how kind of The Pilgrim!!

More exciting news – the long-awaited bronze head and shoulders of Violette, most generously made and donated by Anita Lapper, is now hoped to arrive by the 9th July! How truly wonderful!!

I have just phoned Freddie Drabble, the owner of Violette Szabo Race Horse, to inquire if her little foal had yet arrived, but no – still awaited every day!! I so hope it may be a filly and carry Violette’s chosen name for herself Dolores!!

More good news – The Royal Auxiliary Air Force has named their Squadron after Violette with her code name of “Corinne” – how about that? I think Violette would be thrilled!

Violette this spring has had a lovely array of very early snowdrops at her Museum, given and planted by Derek Smith, and now has a wonderful bank of very beautiful large daffodils opposite, again courtesy of dear Derek. It is so good how once planted bulbs will continue to multiply in to the future!!

We have now had an invitation to park your cars in the lovely large field next to the Museum, for which we are most grateful!

Before I forget! May I again ask you all to bring your own family picnics, it proved so very popular last year, and helped greatly with the arrangements on the day. Remember it is 9th July – please be here by 1.30pm. I so hope, with God’s help, we will again have the parade, leaving Park Hall at 1.30pm led by Simon Addison the Highland Piper, and the Parade Marshall Mr Steve Cole organising everything!

Following a wonderful article of 6 pages in a magazine called “Country Walking”, a whole new group of people have become very interested in the Museum, and are now visiting, and are also enjoying walking Violette’s own walk!

Please also remember to bring a chair and small table if possible! Chairs are always so much needed.

I am so very much looking forward to seeing you, and welcoming you on behalf of Violette!

Yours very sincerely

Rosemary E. Rigby M.B.E.

Holder of the Points of Light Award and
Founder and Owner of
The Violette Szabó Museum
01981 540477
www.violetteszabomuseum.org.uk

PS. Please note – Violette’s special day next year D.V. is on Sunday 7th July 2024 at 1.30 pm.

Very Important – please read!

A message from the heart – My Heart!

Firstly I want to thank all the many truly wonderful people who travelled from far and wide to be here on the 10th July last year to honour the great Violette Szabó, on such a terribly hot day.

I now want to apologise most profoundly to anyone who felt that I did not appreciate all your great efforts! Such as the special re-enactment people, led by the great Winston Churchill and his aide who carried his red box everywhere with him!! You were all just so remarkable and everyone loved your presence!!!

What happened to me I do not know, but I have never felt so ill in all my life! I did not know how to survive the afternoon, and it took me at least two weeks to feel better. It frightened me so much I felt this year already mentioned would have to be the last organised by me! Then all turn when I realised that next year it will be 80 years since Violette was arrested! and 2025 – 80 years since her execution in the notorious Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, and the 25th birthday of her Museum and of the Rosemary Rigby Millennium Green!! So the date to be DV 13th July 2025.

Following in the many years to come –hope you will all continue to visit her garden and Museum on the second Sunday in July to remember and honour her memory for ever!!

With all my loyal good wishes to you all.

Rosemary E. Rigby M.B.E.

Spring 2023