After a decade of dedicated service, Sally Britten, 77, has retired as the curator of the Fish Hoek Valley Museum.
Ms Britten’s journey with the museum began in 2008 when she and her husband, Basil, emigrated from Zimbabwe to Fish Hoek, where the couple had previously enjoyed family holidays.
“I wanted to learn more about our new home,” Ms Britten said.
Her involvement with the museum started at a Fish Hoek Valley Historical Association meeting, where she answered an appeal for volunteers.
Despite her background as a personal assistant to lawyers in Harare, Ms Britten embraced the challenge of museum work with enthusiasm.
“I knew nothing at all about museums,” she recalled. “But the welcoming support of my colleagues made all the difference.”
At that time, she told the Echo, the museum had ten volunteers and was open from Tuesday to Saturday, with two volunteers working each morning.
“The museum was then guided by Dr John Clifford and Jean Newport. After Ms Newport’s move to England and Dr Clifford’s death, Courtney Spence stepped in as curator,” she said.
Ms Britten took on administrative duties, and, following Ms Spence’s death, eventually became the curator herself.
“I have greatly enjoyed working at the museum and learning about the history of the Fish Hoek Valley,” she said.
A shortage of funds and inadequate security were just some of the challenges she dealt with during her time at the helm, but the Fish Hoek Lions, she said, had helped to overcome those obstacles.
“The Lions helped in so many ways – cleaning up the grounds, painting the walls, sourcing a filing cabinet and providing financial assistance,” said Ms Britten.
The City had meanwhile funded a comprehensive refurbishment that included roof repairs, ceiling replacements and a new fence, she added.
The museum’s reopening last November, after extensive renovations, was a highlight of her career. “The event marked a successful new chapter for the museum, which has since thrived,” she said.
Bev Frieslich, a member of the Museum Trust, commended Ms Britten for her unwavering dedication, saying: “She is one of the most hard-working and devoted individuals the museum could have hoped for.”
She praised her for her tireless efforts in navigating the museum through challenging times and for helping, together with Margaret Gundry, to secure support for the museum’s renovation.
Sue Maude, a publisher and ghost-writer, will take over from Ms Britten from Thursday August 1.
“I hope to build on the excellent work she has done in caring for the museum,” Ms Maude said.
She also unveiled plans for a special Women’s Day display that will highlight the matriarchs of the Fish Hoek Valley, celebrating their contributions and legacy.
Ms Britten she said looked forward to enjoying her home and garden in her retirement. “There is a time to come and a time to go,” she said. “My time to go is now.”
