To all Violette’s special Friends who admire her so much!
Spring 2024
A great Christmas gift for Violette’s Museum! From my friend and neighbour Mrs Shirley Jones. When visiting on Christmas Eve, she suddenly mentioned she had decided to take down a very old fir tree at the end of her garden! For although I have been worrying about it for several years, I had never spoken of it, for I was always terrified if it was to fall in one of the terrible gales we have had lately, it would be the end of Violette’s Museum!!
The tree was finally felled on the 17th January when most of the branches were found to be already dead. On behalf of Violette, I do thank her most sincerely.
An amazing experience took place in Violette’s Lounge at The Pilgrim Hotel on the 18th December, when following enjoying a special Christmas Lunch I was having coffee in her room, when suddenly Violette decided to make her presence known. Over the years this has never happened before in her room – it was very strong and very emotional, a young lady visitor present said it was something she would remember all her life!! Violette is obviously very very aware of her Lounge!!
The mantlepiece was decorated with a lovely Christmas garland around Violette’s portrait!
Sir Colin Shepherd, one of Violette’s first Trustees, has sadly died, he was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed.
When visiting the Museum after the extension was finished I well remember his words – The perfect example of how one can add stone to stone and achieve perfection!
The disaster that did not happen! Like everywhere, we have had so much rain! A pool had collected at the corner of the Museum and having promised two ladies to open for them, I was trying to avoid the water, when my walking stick slipped away under the water! I was falling – when one lady ran to my aid and saved me!! Thank God.
I mentioned the incident to a good friend and neighbour Michael Jones, who decided to help. When eventually I plucked up the courage to go down again, I found the water all gone and everywhere dry, for Michael had made a small trench which has done the trick, and now no water! So many grateful thanks to him!
The Museum has had another busy year with lots of visitors and a number of talks booked. I am always finding people at my gate looking wistfully at the Museum!
Please note – The Pilgrim Hotel is once again holding a Violette Szabó Murder Mystery Evening on the 17th August. Last year’s were very well supported, so do try to come along!
A very well known saying – A friend when in need is a friend indeed! I have found shopping becoming very difficult, and when a while ago on visiting Morrisons store in Ross, a very kind and helpful young man came forward and offered me his own personal help whenever I visit the store. He is so wonderful, and it has made all the difference! I now know he is the Manager, Jeremy! I feel sure God took a hand in this!
I have had to have the very old and fine acacia tree in the road hedgerow felled, it having become a danger to road users. At the time it was found to have a young cherry tree growing in its midst! Something unheard of! So I have planted a young flowering cherry on the Millennium Green in her memory!
I know so many will be delighted to hear – Professor Peter Lantos, Violette’s guest speaker last year, is DV returning to tell us a little about how he built his life after surviving his time with his mother in Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp.
One great sadness for me – I have lost my darling little “Bonnie” dog, life is very hard without her. She was only small but had a great personality! May God now take care of her. R.I.P. “Bonnie”.
Great Joy! We are to have Ruby Ann back to entertain us in her own wonderful way! Thank you Ruby!!
The Pilgrim Hotel – ever supportive of Violette – are again holding a special evening meal following her day of celebration on the 7th July.
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 7th 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!
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 13th July 2025 at 1.30 pm.
The following words are very important – please read!
This year is very special for Violette, rembering that it is 80 years since she was arrested, and we are gathering at her Museum on the 7th July 2024 at 1.30pm. Next year is also most important, for it will be 80 years since she was executed in Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, and our annual gathering is to be on Sunday 13th July 2025, again at 1.30 pm.
With God’s help I would like to honour her by organising these two events as I always have! Now we look to her special day in 2026, each year it is the second Sunday in July, and I am looking for several people led by an organiser, to take the responsibility over from me! Of course I will always wish to be present and join you all and give all the help I can, by providing lists and contact numbers.
Remember that Violette has everything of her own stored in her wonderful garage! Such as 150 chairs, tables and other items.
Please search your souls and come forward with your names and telephone numbers in order to guarantee her future, for as we all know it is what she wants – to be remembered!!
Please phone me at any time on 01981 540477. Remember – she now relies on us, as we once relied on her!
Rosemary E. Rigby M.B.E.
Spring 2024
