DANIEL MORRIS LEARNS MORE ABOUT A SMALL COUNTY MUSEUM THAT HAS ITS ROOTS IN A FATHER AND SON’S SHARED PASSION FOR COLLECTING AVIATION MEMORABILIA
There is a wonderful quote, which reads: “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
That quote is often misattributed to Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci, though regardless of its origin, it perfectly captures mankind’s enduring fascination with reaching for the heavens, and our pride in having touched them through the incredible achievement of air travel.
Run by Julian Millington, Chetton Heritage Museum offers visitors a fascinating peek behind the curtain at the illustrious past of the aviation world, and a chance to slake their air-travel curiosity right here in Shropshire.
Founded by Julian, the museum began life as a private collection that fuelled his passion, and now stands as a fascinating opportunity for the public to experience the incredible history of an industry that shaped the world.
“As many people are, we’d been interested in aviation for a long time,” said Julian. “Dad and I collected some jet engines and things like that over the years and built up a bit of a collection, then in 2012 we bought a Harrier jump jet, and with a team of RAF experts we managed to get it into running condition.
“In more recent years, I put all of our collection of engines in one building as a bit of a display, and then I got more involved in aviation archaeology.
“People I met in those circles gave me some bits and pieces and artefacts that were relevant to the local area, and I thought ‘they’re of such importance that they’re too important not to be seen’.”
With this, Chetton Heritage Museum was born.
“I started to ramp up the collection and the exhibits and turn it into a full-on museum, and that’s how we’ve got to where we are now,” added Julian.
Based on the Millingtons’ Chetton family farm, near Bridgnorth, the museum represents a treasure trove of relics that tell the story of aircraft technology over some of the most seminal moments in history.
Many of the items on display are parts that were recovered from local aircraft crash sites, uncovered during professional digs and research projects. These include fragments of fuselage, instruments, and personal effects – each carrying a story of the people and machines from Shropshire involved in the conflicts of the Second World War.
“Since we started, the response from the public has been fantastic,” said Julian. “We’re a free museum to enter, and get great feedback along with kind donations.
“It’s really spiralled since we started. We’ve now got so many fresh exhibits that we’ve run out of room, so we’re actually going to be doubling the size of the museum building.
“A lot of other museums have helped us out. We’ve been very fortunate to have been given many items by other museums that are either closing or can no longer display them. These days, the exhibits really are a joy to behold.”
The centrepieces of the Chetton collection are its 25-plus aircraft engines, and assorted large machine parts that illustrate the scale and engineering of the craft flown from nearby airfields. Of course, the highlight of the collection is the museum’s impressive Harrier GR3.
“As far as I know, our Harrier is the only Harrier GR3 in the world that runs,” said Julian. “Some of the later Harriers are in private hands now, and people have got those running, but as one of the old original Harriers I think ours is the only one that runs. So it is quite a famous aircraft now.
“We also have a running Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, and one of the machine guns from a very famous Lancaster that took part in the Dambusters raid. We’ve also got some parts of Rudolf Hess’s Messerschmitt that he crash landed during the war.”
Now the purveyor of a range of truly exciting aviation artefacts, Julian began his collection with a particular find that was almost in his own backyard.
“We’ve got a little brass bombsight in our farmhouse here,” he said. “It’s from a Wellington bomber that crashed just down the road from us. It was picked up off the field and given to my relatives and they’ve passed it on from generation to generation.
“I’d always been obsessed with this brass bombsight and I always wanted to know more about the history of it and the history of the crash.
“I think that’s probably what sparked my interest in aviation, especially aviation history.
“Since then, we’ve actually been building a memorial for this crash with some of the descendants of the crew that sadly died in it. We’ve completed the memorial and we’re actually going to reveal it this spring.”
Throughout the year, Chetton Heritage Museum hosts a programme of open days to bring its collection and the local community together.
The most recent was held in December, and was a roaring success.
“We had hundreds of people through the entrance,” said Julian. “From opening until close, the museum was jam-packed. It was lovely to see so many people enjoy a shared interest.
“We had a very good crowd when we ran the Harrier at 2pm.
“Our pilot, Flight Lieutenant Ollie Suckling, started it up. He’s currently a Red Arrows pilot – an exceptionally talented young chap.”
The museum’s next open day is slated for May 17, 10am – 4.30pm, and is called ‘Chetton Heritage Museum Open Day in association with Midland Oil Engine Club’. Private tours of Chetton Heritage Museum are available for booking throughout the year.
For more information on public open days, visit https://www.
