Museum group collect gift from infamous Reading Gaol

Members of a museum group followed in the footsteps of a famous historical figure to collect some valuable additions to their equipment stores.

The Museum4Watton group has collected some display cabinets from Reading Gaol to use in its museum. Pictures by John Greenbrook - Credit: John Greenbrook

Two trustees from the Museum4Watton group travelled to Reading Gaol, where the iconic writer Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in the 1890s, to pick up several display cabinets which the group will use for future exhibitions.

The glass-topped cabinets have recently been used by a well known art organisation for an exhibition about Wilde's stay in the gaol after he was charged with gross indecency in 1895.

Museum4Watton chairman Chris Hutchings, who collected the cabinets with trustee John Greenbrook, said: 'This generous gift has come as a great Christmas present.'

The group is planning to open a museum in Watton to showcase the history of the town and its surrounding villages.

In September it received an extensive addition to its collection – documents from the former records of the court baron of Watton Hall, detailing the town's history over 250 years.

Another exhibit gifted to the group, Hero the model skeleton, is currently on display at Watton Sports Centre.