News / Andy King
M Shed cranes lowered in honour of former curator
M Shed has lowered and crossed jibs of two of its historic waterfront cranes to honour retired industrial and maritime history curator Andy King.
The team have said they are heartbroken following his death on Monday.
A member of the M Shed team for 40 years, King was renowned for what has been described as his “encyclopaedic knowledge” of Bristol’s history.
is needed now More than ever
His knowledge of the museum’s collections was almost unrivalled. Bristol24/7 was lucky enough to go on a behind the scenes tour with him in 2019.
Despite his retirement in March, King continued to volunteer at the cultural and educational space.
M Shed surprised him in May with the honour of piloting the Mayflower, what is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving steam tug, around the city docks.
In a tweet, museum staff offered their thoughts and condolences to Andy’s family and friends: “He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all those whose lives he enriched.”
Andy lost his right arm to cancer in April 2020 and set up a YouTube channel, The One-Armed Woodworker, to document him relearning woodworking skills.
Main photo: M Shed
Read more: My Bristol Favourites: Andy King
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