VISITORS to Fordingbridge Museum are in for a treat as a collection of items not normally on display will be available to view.

Two heritage open days are being held on March 11, from 10am to 2pm, and March 14, from 11am to 3pm, which will allow visitors to see behind the scenes and take a look at these items.

These include a Second World War helmet which belonged to a Colonel Dennis Clementi, who served in the Royal Engineers.

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For more than 40 years the helmet had been gathering dust in a cupboard in the home of the Gillis family in Belgium.

The family’s own research led them to Fordingbridge, where Colonel Clementi lived and where he died in 2000 at the age of 91.

Museum trustee Julian Hewitt (pictured above) said: “We understand that Colonel Clementi lived in the Pennys Lane area of Fordingbridge and we are very keen to find out if anyone has any memories of him.”

It is believed the colonel was a relative of the famous Italian musician Muzio Clementi, who was a friend of Mozart and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Daily Echo: Cllr Lt Col Mike Shand at the Second World War dispaly made to look to look like an air raid shelter at the Fordingbridge Museam.

Museum manager Philippa Duckworth added: “There will be lots of other items on show at the open days that will fascinate residents and visitors alike.

“They will be able to look at a tithe map of the area in 1841 and also discover what was found in a drain during an archaeological dig in 1989.

“They will be able to see how a basic necessity was obtained in the 19th century in the town and look at estate agent records of houses in Fordingbridge and the surrounding area from the 1930s to the 1950s.

“They will also be able to see a message sent to local residents by Hitler in the last war.

“These are only a few of the items that will be on display at this rare opportunity for everyone to look behind the scenes and find out how the museum operates.”

If anyone has information about Colonel Clementi when he lived in Fordingbridge call 01425 657 850.

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