WANDSWORTH MUSEUM CAMPAIGN GROUP
Over the last few weeks a community-wide non-partisan campaign group has been formed from members of the Wandsworth Historical Society as well as from the Borough’s five amenity societies – Balham, Battersea, Putney and Wandsworth. The Group’s links embrace all parties concerned by the Council’s plans to close Wandsworth Museum, including schools, ethnic minorities, residents’ associations as well as national heritage and culture organisations. The Wandsworth Museum Campaign Group has four prime objectives:• Keeping the Museum’s collection intact and capable of growth as new artefacts become available• Finding and establishing a suitable new home for the Museum’s collection if and when it no longer has the Court House • Retaining the minimum level of qualified staff required to ensure the above can be properly managed and exhibited• Securing adequate funding to support the above.The Group has grown dramatically since its initial meeting a month ago and the following officers have been nominated and are now in place: Chairman: Shirley PassmoreSecretary: Pamela GreenwoodCo-ordinator: Cedric Peachey Schools Governing Bodies Liaison Officer: John McHugoSchools General Liaison Officer: Harriet StricklandTo support this team, the Campaign Group has the voluntary services of an experienced manager of museum trusts, heritage and conservation specialists, an independent financial advisor, an architect and a press officer. While much of the Group’s work is devoted to examining alternative scenarios with the Council and with other parties, steps are now being taken to form a “Friends of Wandsworth Museum”. This initiative is being led by Sheila Allen of the Wandsworth Society. Details of the new Friends scheme and the different levels of participation and benefits that are planned should emerge in the next fortnight.Looking to next week, supporters of Wandsworth Museum and of the Libraries at West Hill and Alvering are reminded that the meeting of the full Council to review the closure plans for all these facilities is scheduled for Wednesday 28th March at the Town Hall. The Campaign Group and its members will be at the Town Hall, together with other interested residents and groups from 6.00pm onwards. Arrangements are in hand to present the Petition Against the Museum Closure that has been running for the last three months to the Mayor. Anyone interested in joining the Wandsworth Museum Campaign Group or in becoming a Friend of Wandsworth Museum should email: WandsworthMuseumGroup@hotmail.co.uk or write to:Wandsworth Museum Campaign Groupc/o 19 Montserrat Road, London, SW15 2LD
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