WATCHET Market House Museum will celebrate the opening of its 40th season on Wednesday (March 27) with a small party for invited guests.

The original opening on Saturday, July 14, 1979 was performed by George Wyndham, of the Wyndham Estate, which owns the Market House (built 1819-20). Mr Wyndham paid tribute to Leslie Wedlake, the museum’s curator, for his hard work.

In subsequent years, Mr Wyndham’s legacy of enduring support and practical help for the museum, which also has a junior section, was continued by his daughter, Dr Katherine Wyndham.

Among many other things, the museum houses a great many photographs of old and later Watchet, and the history of the museum is shown on display boards. A feature is pictures of old sailing ships painted by various artists including the town’s renowned pier-head painter Thomas Chidgey.

A new film based on the Watchet story, with a narration by town crier David Milton, can be seen and heard at the museum this season.

A new feature is one of nail art by Jon England which is shown on the outside of the south door towards the rear of the museum. It is hoped to erect a new weather vane on the roof of the old Market House.

A booklet by Paul Upton to commemorate the museum’s 40th anniversary is on sale at the museum, which is open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm from the end of March until early November.