THE past is alive and well in Dartmouth, museum supporters heard at this year's annual meeting.

Museum chairman David Lingard said 2014-15 had been a good year, with visitor numbers up by 300 on the previous year and the Jesse Room now open to public viewing.

The Jesse Room not only has its unique 380-year-old plaster depiction of Jesus' family tree but also houses the museum's archive collection, where a number of museum members have been involved with the conservation and storage of paper based archives and photographs.

Mr Lingard thanked everyone who had been involved in all aspects of museum work, including the creation of a new shop in recent weeks, and those who have given hours of their time throughout the year to keep the museum open and running for the past 362 days.

Members said a sad farewell to two 'pillars of excellence' Angela White and Richard Danckwert who have contributed a huge amount to the museum since 1999.

Angela is a retired museum designer who has used her creative skills to enhance displays.

She said she particularly enjoyed working on restoring and showing off the life's work of William Henley as related by his sister Nellie. The majestic King's Room came next with its magnificent displays of ships and this was followed by the Holdsworth Room and its world wars section. Angela said: 'I enjoy telling stories through the use of artefacts and archives.'

Until his death in April 2013, Brian Langworthy's extensive practical skills had complemented Angela's work in his role as museum curator. Most recently Angela has provided interpretive graphics in the Jesse Room.

Mr Lingard said: 'To create displays is but part of the story and research is always needed to be able to interpret what is shown. This was Richard's strength.'

Richard has provided a wealth of information for displays in the three main rooms and most recently the wording for the Jesse Room panels.

Richard and Angela, who are museum life members, are moving to Sherborne to be nearer to family.

The business part of the meeting was followed by a talk by Professor Bob Stone of Birmingham University, assisted by three of his team, on the subject of virtual reality, particularly as applied to heritage subjects.

Prof Stone is exploring the possibility of visually recreating the two buried hulls of a British First World War submarine and a German destroyer of similar vintage, which are known to be under Coronation Park close to the Floating Bridge Inn.

Mr Lingard said: 'Virtual reality is an extraordinary system. Wearing one of the headsets you were taken inside a 17th century warship and one member looked around to see a 24 pounder gun and tried to touch it but nearly fell over in the process since it was not actually there.'

Anyone who has photographs or memories of the hulls is asked to contact Dartmouth Museum.