This is a summary of the arrangements for the visit: a fuller version of this description is now available on the “official” branch web site at http://www.oxon.bcs.org/trip2005.htm.
The guided tour of a selection of the exhibits starts at 2.00pm and is likely to last between two and three hours.
The Science Museum Wroughton is the large object storage facility for the National Collections of the Science Museum. The whole spectrum of collections of scientific and technological interest are stored and conserved here ranging from the Lockheed Constellation airliner to early computers, from bicycles to the Woods Press and MRI scanners to hovercrafts.
The collections are stored in five hangars. The collections of wide appeal, such as the Air and Land Transport collections, are stored so that they can be easily viewed, with many of the objects clearly labelled. The majority of the objects are stored in racking, as in a warehouse, primarily to conserve space but also allowing easy access for conservation purposes. Currently approximately 18,000 objects are stored at this site.
For further details, visit http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/wroughton/
Weather can be chilly in early March. If it is then dress warmly. The hangars are very big and heating is limited.
TRANSPORT
Transport to Wroughton is not provided. Car-sharing is suggested.
The Science Museum at Wroughton is situated off the A4361 Devizes road, south of Swindon and the M4. From the motorway, exit at J15 or J16, follow signs for Wroughton and look out for the brown Science Museum signs.
LUNCH
Lunch before the tour is optional. Anyone wishing to make their own arrangements for lunch should arrive at the Science Museum site in time for the 2.00pm start. Those wishing to join the group for lunch at The Fox & Hounds in Wroughton should arrive there from 12noon onwards.
The staff at The Fox & Hounds are expecting our group there for lunch on that day but do need to know the size of the group beforehand. When you book your place(s) for the guided tour please indicate also whether you wish to join the group for lunch.
From Wroughton, take the A4361 Devizes road. The Fox & Hounds is on the right-hand side of the road, shortly before you leave the built-up area of Wroughton. From there the road climbs in a south-westerly direction. You pass a turning to Elcombe on your right before reaching the airfield site on your left where the Science Museum is situated.
COST
The Oxfordshire Branch of the BCS is subsidising the cost of the guided tour (making it free to members) but you pay for your own lunch.
Each BCS member can bring one non-member guest. Please indicate when you apply whether you are a BCS member and, if so, whether you are bringing a non-member guest. The charge for non-member guests is £5 per person, or £3 if over-60 and retired. Please indicate on your application whether you and any guest are over-60 and retired. Be prepared to pay for non-member guests on the day.
BOOKING
Because this is a guided tour with a limited number of places, we do need to know who will be coming.
If you want to come, please fill in the booking form at http://www.oxon.bcs.org/trip2005bookingform.htm
Places will be allocated as applications are received.
If more applications are received than can be accommodated then a waiting list will be created.
http://www.oxon.bcs.org/trip2005.htm