Matinee coat belonged to George V's family

KIND-HEARTED people have given Bexhill Museum of Costume and Social History several fascinating items within the last few weeks - some of them centuries old.

By The Newsroom

Published 15th Jul 2004, 13:55 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:09 BST

The museum was pleased to receive a baby's matinee coat, which belonged to Lady Mabel Abel Smith, a niece of King George V and Queen Mary.

Also on show is a love token which is over 300 years old.

The needlework sample includes love birds, cupids and hearts as decoration.

Not finished there, the museum has also taken charge of an 1890s pageboy outfit, a set of 1920s and 1930's dresses and some Mary Quant gloves. Pauline Bullock, of the museum - pictured here with the matinee coat - hailed the new pieces as "of exceptional interest."

*While on its present site, the museum is looking for volunteers to help in its running and for secretarial assistance from someone with their own computer.

The museum can be contacted on 210045.