 |
| Out-going Curator and The Hockey Museum Founder Mike Smith congratulates in-coming Curator Shane Smith. |
On Thursday 24 February, The Hockey Museum (THM) ‘re-launched’ itself with a new exhibition for 40 or so invited guests. At this event THM’s creator, Mike Smith, announced his forthcoming retirement as Curator in April.
Mike has been the driving force behind the creation of the Museum, which was first muted 30 years ago, shortly after Phil Appleyard had organised the highly successful Hockey World Cup in Willesden, London in 1986. A small exhibition of historical gems had been assembled for show during the World Cup. It has all grown from there.
Mike’s enthusiasm for hockey’s heritage knows no bounds and he will continue to be involved with the Museum as a Trustee as well as a few projects of particular interest to him. Mike’s wife Judy has supported him throughout and is THM Librarian. THM has been a fully accredited museum since 2018.
I am also delighted to announce that our Assistant Curator, Shane Smith is to be promoted to Curator. He has worked closely with Mike for some 8 years and is a history and heritage professional.
Of these approaching changes Mike said:
“It is a situation that we have been working towards for some considerable time and I anticipate that it will be seamless. Shane is a true professional, as opposed to my ‘entrepreneurial enthusiasm’. Our strengths have blended well for some years. Shane combines his qualifications and expertise with a growing love of hockey. Over eight years, we have worked together to help develop The Hockey Museum alongside our colleagues, Trustees, and our great team of volunteers.
“Back in 2011 I would not have believed that the museum could be where we are today. It has been a true team effort of all those involved, as befits our sport. It has been a privilege and a pleasure.
“I will now be able to focus on the museum areas that really interest me, which, ironically, is what I was doing before the suggestion of a physical museum came about over a decade ago!”
 |  | |
Left: Shane and Mike Smith (no relation) enjoy a moment of levity during the recent exhibition re-launch. Right: The Curatorial Team at the exhibition re-launch: Carli-Lyn Vermani (Collections Officer), | ||
The Hockey Museum is funded by hockey people throughout England and has some 70 volunteers who look after 56 varied collection and research areas, based out of our museum in Woking. The Museum is open to everyone either in person or online and has a free fortnightly e-newsletter, Hockey Shorts. Sign up to and view past issues of Hockey Shorts by clicking here: The Hockey Museum Linktree.
As a charity, the Museum welcomes donations, be they financial or heritage items. All hockey people will be amazed at the 80,000 or so items that have now been collected. Click here to learn how to donate: Donate to The Hockey Museum.
John F Willmott
Chair, The Hockey Museum
