BNTVA Museum CIC
The BNTVA Museum is on a four-step mission to preserve and share the compelling story of our nuclear tests.
These tests played a significant role in shaping our world and are best understood through the artefacts and memorabilia left behind by those who were there.
The four-step mission
Collect – Gather documents, artefacts and ephemera relating to the British Nuclear Tests and its community of Veterans and families with associated Cold War.
Conserve – Preserve the collected items to ensure their accessibility for future generations.
Curate – Curate and Catalogue the collection to facilitate better understanding and research of all aspects of the Nuclear Tests and the human story behind them.
Cultivate – Grow and share our heritage with others through access, research, abstract and exhibition.
The BNTVA Museum isn’t just about the scientific feat of the tests themselves It’s about the human stories that
unfolded amidst the technical marvel.
Do you have a unique piece of our history?
• You may have photographs or documents capturing time on the tests, offering a
first-hand perspective that history books can’t replicate.
• Maybe you have military badges, uniforms, or equipment from this extraordinary period
• Or perhaps you have personal items, like letters or diaries, that embody the human experience of the tests.
By entrusting these items to the BNTVA Museum, you’ll be ensuring their legacy
• Preserved for the future: The Museum will provide a haven where your artefacts will be meticulously cared for by experts. Generations to come will have the opportunity to learn from these well-preserved objects.
• Stories come alive: Your memorabilia can become a cornerstone of a permanent exhibition, educating future generations about the British nuclear tests and the lives of those who played a part. Imagine your items sparking curiosity and inspiring a deeper understanding of this pivotal era
• Building a comprehensive record: These artefacts offer a unique window into a significant moment in history. Your donation will add a vital piece to the puzzle, helping create a well-rounded record of our communities heritage
The memorabilia you possess, along with your own personal account (which the Museum can help record), can provide a powerful and poignant connection to the past. These individual stories breathe life into history, allowing
future generations to connect with the veterans who were on the ground.
Together, we can ensure this vital part of British history is not lost to the sands of time.
Donating is a straightforward process Contact the BNTVA Museum for more information on how to contribute your
artefacts. They’ll ensure a smooth handover and handle your items with the utmost respect.
By giving your memorabilia a new home in the BNTVA Museum, you’re not simply giving an object; you’re giving a
piece of history a future, a future where it can educate, inspire, and keep the memory of this important era alive.
Past Exhibitions
Nuclear Test Veterans meeting, Milton Keynes - August 2024
Plym to Pamlico 2022-23
Plym to Pamlico was a BNTVA Exhibition Royal Engineers Museum, Oct 2022 - May 2023. Originally Proposed to mark the 70th Anniversary of Operation Hurricane and the 60th Anniversary of Operation Dominic, The name was chosen to reflect this as HMS Plym was the target vessel at Hurricane and Pamlico was the last bomb dropped at Christmas Island during Dominic.
Total Costs for exhibition
Couriering items: 2191.6 miles £886.22
Subsistence & sundries costs £674.76
72 Hexagonal Foamex Board Printing £1395.92
Total:
£2956.90
Exhibition was planned for 6 months but was extended to 9 months (237 days) and had a total of
1834 visitors.
That works out at about
7.7 visits a day and a cost of
£1.61
for each visitor who attended.
Over the fence... 2019
This was a short three month exhibition at Bradford Peace Museum which had 561 visitors during the show.
