Says Bill Griffiths, director of the Milton Keynes Museum where the new Connected Earth pavilion is being built, "We're looking for dedicated telephone enthusiasts and others to join the volunteer force: to act as guides, restore and maintain exhibits, also catalogue and conserve resources not yet on show. Our core staff, mainly retired BT engineers, are doing a grand job already but we really need more people for the many exciting projects in the new building. The only qualifications we ask for are enthusiasm, dedication and understanding!"

Although committed to showcasing a rich array of telecomms exhibits from days gone by, the new display is not rooted exclusively in the past. More than a museum, it will be a genuine "exploratorium" in which visitors can learn how present-day communications technologies work and gain a feel for techniques of the future.

As well as providing a home for a substantial number of exhibits newly acquired from the BT collection, the museum will take over the existing small collection that has been on show at Milton Keynes for a number of years. And to avoid the pitfalls of covering too wide a field too thinly, the focus of the new pavilion will fall largely on some of the high-tech aspects of communications—engineering, switching and transmission.

Currently at design and planning permission stage, the new structure itself will occupy some 500 square metres (5,500 square feet for traditionalists). Beside display floor space for exhibits, there will be a workshop, library and storage and archives room plus accommodation for the Museum's collection of telephone vehicles and mobile telephone exchanges. The frontage will have an entrance section modelled on a typical 1930's telephone exchange (see below).

Impression of the new building as seen from the approach road. The Museum's Hall of Transport is on the right, and the new building will match it in brick and panel colour

Work on erecting the shell is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2004, after which work can start inside the new building. Electrical, cabling and testing will come first, followed by installing the exhibits in conjunction with professional designers and Milton Keynes Museum's own display team.

Before then much preparatory work is scheduled for the existing team of dedicated volunteers to restore, renovate and test all types of telephones, switchboards and telephone equipment in readiness for installation in the new pavilion.

But as Bill Griffiths explains, they will not be able to complete the estimated 5,000 man-hours work required. "That's why we are looking for new recruits, young and old," he states. "The fully equipped workshop will make their task a lot easier, with individual training provided for new volunteers. It's an exciting opportunity and an agreeable place to lend a hand. However much (or little) time people can afford, I guarantee they will get at least as much out of this as they put in, probably more!"

Could you be our next recruit? Bill is waiting to hear from you on (01908) 316222. Or e-mail Bill at bill.griffiths@mkmuseum.org.uk or Roger Drage at mkmuseum@mkheritage.co.uk