Whitchurch Memories: Plans to bring museum back to Whitchurch

By Whitchurch Herald on Jul 16, 09 12:20 PM in 2000 onwards

PLANS are moving ahead to get a museum in Whitchurch, based in the Heritage Centre.

Years ago there was a Whitchurch Museum on the site of the current library, which also housed an art gallery floor.

Now Dr John and Mrs Judith Clayton are spearheading a drive to see a museum returned to the town.

There are many artefacts relating to Whitchurch's past, some dating back 2,000 years, which are presently stored in Ludlow as there is nowhere for them in town.

Mrs Clayton gave a presentation of the plans to Whitchurch Town Council last Thursday.

Currently the heritage centre houses Tourist Information, the Heritage Collection and serves as an information centre for Shropshire Council.

In future she hopes it will provide the expertise and facilities to house all of the town's historic collections.

Whitchurch Town Council has previously given its support to the plan and a heritage team has been identified.

Now an accreditation application must be prepared, and the council might then be able to adopt museum status.

The heritage team comprises seven town councillors, invited organisations and experts.
Gaining museum status would mean the centre could access numerous grants.

The next step is to fulfil accreditation requirements - relating to constitution, management, collection ownership, security, finance, risk assessment, staffing and compliance with legal requirements.

Other important steps are to identify funding, record the present collection and identify further collection material.

An information leaflet is planned on proposed opening times and facilities, and a survey form.
The Heritage Team is now taking advice to fulfil the accreditation requirements and assembling an accreditation working party to meet the deadline for submission.

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