Liz Davies, curator of the St Neots Museum, is retiring after 11 years to spend more time researching and writing about local history. Here she looks back at her time at the museum.

It has been a great privilege to manage the museum on behalf of local people, getting to know the fascinating history of the town and discovering the lives of those who lived here long ago.

The very best part of the job has been working with such a wide variety of local people, ranging from those connected with the museum including the amazing museum volunteers, the Trustees, the many donors of local items and, of course, everyone who has visited the museum.

At the heart of all museums are the artefacts that make up the collection and the wonderful stories they tell.

It has been brilliant to be able to add many unique items to the museum’s collections. From flint arrow heads found where Tesco stands today to the spirit measure that stood behind the bar of the Black Bull pub in Great Paxton.

I had only been curator for a few months when we were able to use local donations and grants to purchase the Kimbolton Iron Age coin hoard.

It was very satisfying to be able to ensure the 68 gold stater coins would stay in the local area where local people could see them.

Another enjoyable part of the job has been speaking to local people about their memories and then using their stories in exhibitions, articles, talks and walks about the history of the town.

Every story is interesting but a few that stand out are the Second World War memories of Bert Goodwin and Audrey Maxfield, the Longsands School memories of Tony Murfin, Phil Trolley and Rodney Todman and Ann Browning’s memories of growing up as one of the famous St Neots quadruplets.

A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped to make my time at the museum so enjoyable.