Muriel Powell

Who was Muriel Powell?

Muriel Powell, MBE, often referred to as Matron Powell, was the successor to Dame Grace Kimmins in the Chailey Heritage and was the founder of Searchlight to continue the work of the Chailey Heritage from age 15 into adulthood.

From 1924 until her resignation 1933 Powell was Matron of the Chailey Heritage Craft Schools Marine Branch, at Tide Mills, East Sussex.

She purchased a bungalow next to the searchlight battery with her life savings of £14 and opened Searchlight Cripples' Workshop as superintendent. During the rationing of the second world war Powell rose each morning at 5:30 buying supplies in the Brighton fruit markets to make jams and toffee which were packed for sale back at Searchlight by disabled men. When wartime rationing changed the demand she switched production to handicrafts among which was chair caning.