PURFLEET Heritage & Military Centre opened its doors at gh weeikend after a three-month shut down for a much-needed refurbishment.

This 'work in progress' opening was the start of a programme that will see the centre transformed over the coming year. The centre will shut again in December until the grand reopening on Sunday, 1 March 2026. 

The soft opening on Sunday was attended by borough Mayor Kairen Raper, MP, Jen Craft along with local councillors Lee Watson and Aaron Green.

Many members of the public visited with some of our long-standing members, who gave the thumbs up for the changes.

Cllr Raper gave a moving speech acknowledging the work of founder and honorary chair Alan Gosling, who passed away last week and acknowledged all the hard work put in by the volunteers.

She said the changes and growing interest in the centre show Alan's legacy will live on.

The riverside museum is located in a Grade I listed former Royal Gunpowder Magazine, considered by Historic England to be the finest remaining example. It has a fascinating history and was once the main storage area for the Government#s gunpowder.

To make the centre more viable and visible to the outside world the centre offers group visits to schools, U3A and other organisations.

It also offers tours and ghost walks, the first of which sold out quickly, more are planned.

There are many groups of people unable to travel or who prefer a more personal insight into what the centre offers.

The centre has been fortunate to receive a number of Victorian glass display cabinets gifted by the Horniman Museum in South London. Volunteers collected these recently and they will become part of new displays. 

The memorials at Purfleet.

Another step forward to attract visitors is the recognition of two monuments by the Imperial War Museum: the impressive 4 metre riverside silhouette display, dedicated to the 27 ex servicemen who either worked or lived at Purfleet and died during the First World War  https://memorials.iwm.org.uk/memorial/111280 and 'The Gurkhas' Memorial Thurrock' https://memorials.iwm.org.uk/memorial/111267.

In the past couple of years, the Centre has increased its opening time by 50%. It is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and bank holiday Mondays.

Spokesperson Trevor batchelor said: "We would like to open more days but rely on volunteers. We have doubled our volunteer numbers but are looking for more.

"If you have an interest in history, wish to assist in presentations or just lend a helping hand please contact us at [email protected].

"We are looking for trustees, particularly secretarial and legal. If interested please contact me (Trevor) on 07973 759516.

Residents can become a friend of the centre by signing up as a member https://purfleet-hmc.org/visit

Trevor concluded: "At a time when it is reported that many museums are closing it is encouraging to see the centre move forward in such a positive way. To see more please go to https://purfleet-hmc.org/"