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THE Museum was thrilled and overjoyed to learn that
it had been awarded a valuable Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £88,000. The grant
is being used to employ a Community Learning Officer for three years (from 2007) who will
build up and deliver a specially-tailored programme of activities for children
of all ages, families, newcomers, local history enthusiasts and older residents
in the Borough.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the Museum to explore new areas
of activities and to make new connections that were not possible with current
resources.
The award recognises the achievement of the museum in building up -
over the last 25 years, with the help of volunteers workers and local residents
- such an outstanding collection that reveals Nantwich's rich heritage.
Mr Robert Stones, Chairman of Nantwich Museum Trust Ltd, said: “It
was with considerable pleasure that I was able to confirm that a Community
Learning Officer would be appointed for Nantwich Museum.
"This exciting opportunity was made possible by the generosity
of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the hard work during the last two years of our
curator, Mrs Susan Pritchard.
“Coincidentally this will support very effectively the recent
installation of the Nantwich Salt Ship.
“All the board members would like to offer their congratulations to
Susan Pritchard and Emma Chaplin (Cheshire County Council’s Heritage and Museums
Officer) for their considerable efforts in making a successful bid.
“It should be made clear that the funding has only been offered as
a result of careful financial planning and budgeting which has been core to the
Heritage Lottery Fund grant recognising the value that this will offer the town
educationally.”
The Curator, Susan Pritchard, said: “I am delighted by our good
news. From the beginning of the two years of work on the application I was aware
of the enormous benefits for the Museum and the surrounding area if we were able
to employ a Community Learning Officer and have the necessary funding to set up
exciting programmes.
“The application had to be carefully
costed and we had to prove that all funding would be spent on new programmes
defined in the application. As part of the programme it will be necessary to
recruit new volunteers to work with the Officer and to be able to continue the
work when funding is completed in three years' time.
“What is particularly satisfying for all museum workers and funders
is that the grant recognises what has been achieved and will enable us to reach
higher levels of service to a much wider community.”
Tony Jones, Heritage Lottery Fund
Manager for the North West, said: "This popular museum does a great job of
telling the story of Nantwich and today's news will enable them to offer even
more to visitors. The emphasis they'll be putting on hands-on activities will be
a great way to bring the past to life."
In applying for the grant, Nantwich Museum received assistance from
Cheshire County Council, and support from Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council,
Nantwich Town Council and Excellence in Crewe.
lIF
you would like to be considered as a volunteer to work with the Community
Learning Officer, please contact the Curator, Mrs Susan Pritchard. See the
Contacts page for the telephone number, etc.
lMeet our
Community Learning Officer on this page.
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