Having not been to the museum for 10 years and receiving the occasional brief from the RA CoC, thought I would request an update from the ARRSE Gunner community.

I have seen that they do a fine range of branded tat!

GBTD

GBTD

It's still going strong, not as many visitors as we would like, but it is getting there, there are a styrong band of volunteers helping to run it now, and even a family history team!

I'm down there this afternoon for Coffee and Mince Pies with general Barrons!!

The trouble with Firepower!, like the Rotunda before it, is it is in East London. Now there are all kinds of valid historical reasons for that but nevertheless, it is a bitch to get to it unless you live in erm...East London or at a pinch northern Kent! Having said that, the numbers didn't add up back in the late eighties for a purpose built out-of-town location. Moreover it is a really good example of a)a museum and b) a military museum. Finally, it is ours. Possibly the best museum in the British Army, standfast obviously the National Army museum and possibly Bovvy.

We should consider sueing the pwc consultants that did the visitor predictions.

In retrospect it would have been better sited in Wiltshire somewhere near the RSA.

- Close to other tourist attractions
- Within earshot of ythe impact area.
- It could have offered a real unique facility as fund raising - the chance to fire a gun using real rounds. Loads of tourists turn up to see tanks do their stuff at RAC mobility days. RSA would be the only place to see guns being fired.

However it is where it is. It is the only gunner musuem. It has lots of kit, and a big shed of stuff not yet displayed. The curator is a real expert on gunner medals and the archive contains lots of excellent material. Its only 20 mins by train from London Bridge and a 5 min walk from Woolwich Arsenal station.

.

If anyone is considering visiting Firepower at a weekend, then please PM me, I'd be happy to give you a walk around.

i believe we may be arranging a group visit (30 ish) within the next 6 months! what kind of notice should we be giving prior to the visit?

A couple of weeks should be sufficient for the museum, but the earlier you can let them know the better. As I said, if it's a weekend, I'd be happy to come and help you look around.

I was in there two weeks ago. Lovely place, top brew as well

Originally Posted by atmycommand

i believe we may be arranging a group visit (30 ish) within the next 6 months! what kind of notice should we be giving prior to the visit?

atmycommand

Spoke to the Ops Manager at Firepower last night, two weeks notice is normally sufficient, but if you are looking for a full guided tour, she recommends contacting them at the earliest opportunity in order to ensure a guide is available on the day.

Phil

Does the DLR stop there yet? In fact has any of the much vaunted Arsenal renovation actually happened? I was last there 2-3 yrs ago and it (the area) still looked as ropey as when I opened the museum as a YO (I was that important...) 10 years ago - i.e. that's why it's a 5 minute walk - more like fast run, with body armour through Mogadishu, like the Marines at the end of Black Hawk Down. As for the immediate surroundings, it was supposed to be all restaurants, apartment blocks, a cinema and other pulls - this regeneration would pull the visitors in. My last visit - a complicated drive through what looked like a derelict industrial estate.