Fawley (October 27, 2006) -- New Forest Ninth Centenary Trust, the charitable organisation that runs the New Forest Museum in Lyndhurst, is now in a better position to forge closer links with local schools as a result of a £1,000 donation from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley. The money funded the purchase of outreach education equipment. This included display panels and a laminator, which will be used for outreach visits by education staff to local schools.

The Ninth Centenary Trust holds education as a key element in its responsibilities to the New Forest. The Museum’s education work is highly relevant and effective, and their education officer aims to visit local schools to offer first hand guidance. The refinery’s donation assisted the Trust to achieve this objective.

With the celebration of the ninth centenary of the Forest's foundation in 1979, the New Forest Ninth Centenary Trust was founded and set about raising funds for a museum. The dream became a reality when, in the summer of 1988, the New Forest Museum was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh. It is designed to cater for the local New Forest community as well as the many thousands of visitors who may wish to make their initial explorations through its portals.

Aurelia Bruning of ExxonMobil Community Affairs, who visited the museum to see the items purchased with the donation, commented: “It is very pleasing to see that Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley have been able to help the Ninth Centenary Trust as it will undoubtedly impact local schools in a positive way.”

Caroline Stride, assistance education officer, said: “The items we have been able to buy such as the travelling display panels will really help my colleagues and I to communicate with pupils successfully.”