Support for Haslemere Museum (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

Support for Haslemere Museum

July 17, 2004 12:27 AM

Simon Cordon visited Haslemere Museum to get to the bottom of recent grant arguments.

Simon said after the visit:

"I was delighted to meet Bernard Coe, Chairman of the Museum's trustees, Curator Julia Tanner and a number of the volunteers.

"There is concern, and I share it, about the longterm funding position. The Museum is relying on healthy reserves for now but this is no solution. Depleting the reserves reduces revenue from interest and limits the scope for essential capital works. The trustees are right to be concerned about this so as to avoid a crisis in five or so years time.

"I was enthralled by the extent of the collections and exhibition space. The enormous amount of educational work that takes place is particularly welcome. The Museum strikes me as a real jewel in the crown for the Town and an asset that the Borough too should be proud of.

"Both Waverley and the Town Council have been generous supporters of the Museum over many years. I'm not critical of either. I have confidence that the trustees are very capable of managing their longterm financial position but it would be helpful if Waverley and the Town Council could give a clearer indication of the support they can provide to assist the trustees with the financial challenge they face. Given the amount of educational work that takes place I would hope that education authorities in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire could recognise a need for financial support to.

"I've become an instant fan of the Museum and I will certainly be an advocate whenever I can to pursue their financial needs".