Home to Roost

As the museum’s treasured emblem, we wanted the best for our copper cockerel. Crafted by local ironmongers Henry Long & Sons in 1901, he stood proudly on top of St Mary’s Church steeple until he was knocked down by a glider on 2^nd September 1942 when an RAF Miles Master plane towing a glider crashed into the spire, killing the plane’s crew of two and knocking down the spire and it’s weathervane.

In latter years he’s been in our safekeeping, but, recently he needed a little restoration. Thanks to our National Lottery Heritage funding we have been able to send him off to conservation specialist Tim Martin, in Wales, where he received expert TLC and was equipped with a new cradle and pole support to exhibit him at his best.

He now looks splendid against a drone camera panorama of Witney by museum volunteer and local videographer Gary Douglas. It captures a birdseye view from above the church, just like the cockerel did when he was perched up there! Do drop by and see our cockerel for yourself.

To celebrate his return, museum volunteer Amy Townsend has created a fun family holiday trail around the town. Answers to the questions she’s set can be found on posters displayed in participating shop windows. Pick up a question sheet from the museum, complete the trail and return your sheet to claim a prize. The trail runs until September 12th.

By Denise Barkley, volunteer