The Right Worshipful Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Sudhakar Achwal, has officially opened a new exhibit at the Royal Logistic Corps Museum during a visit with fellow mayors from across the county.

The short opening ceremony at the RLC Museum in Worthy Down, Winchester, featured Pippa Skinsley alongside the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Sudhakar Achwal, who was accompanied by local mayors and councillors. Museum staff, volunteers, and Pippa’s father, a serving officer within the RLC, Colonel Peter Skinsley, joined to officially reveal the piece, highlighting its role in linking wartime history with contemporary community creativity and remembrance.

The piece reimagines a Second World War women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) Drivers’ Service Dress uniform, crafted sustainably from colourful bunting triangles decorated by local primary school children as part of the museum’s acclaimed ‘Make Do and Mend’ community engagement project.  It was produced for the museum by first year BA Fashion Design student Pippa Skinsley who has close links to Worthy Down where the museum is based.

“I’m incredibly proud to have worked on this project. Tailoring is a real passion of mine, inspired by my time at Worthy Down Tailoring School, and I feel a close personal connection to the Royal Logistic Corps, where my father, Colonel Pete Skinsley, has served for many years.” Pippa said at the opening event.

The display marks the culmination of a year-long project designed to connect younger generations with the sacrifices of those who served in the Second World War. School pupils, many from families with serving parents, learned about wartime celebrations, rationing, and the iconic red, white, and blue bunting that adorned VE Day street parties in 1945. Their hand-decorated fabric triangles were then transformed by Pippa into this meaningful uniform display, symbolising remembrance, sustainability, and gratitude for past service to future generations.

‘Logistics are a vital, but often overlooked area,’ said Museum Director Simon Walmsley. ‘This bold, bright, relevant piece has been designed to promote grassroots engagement with the story that the museum tells, and reinforce the relevance of VE Day and VJ Day for communities today.’

Visitors can see the new artwork on display during the museum’s opening hours, Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm. Entry is free, although donations are welcome.

Funding for the project was provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and awarded to the museum through Museum Development South West, which supports museums and heritage sites across the region.