Past Forward

We are now in the detailed planning phase for Past Forward - our transformational redevelopment project. The National Lottery Heritage Fund gave the green light for the project to go ahead in January despite there being a funding shortfall of around £240,000 as they are confident we will raise the outstanding amount. The museum is now working up the detailed plans with Dmitri Martin Associates and Metaphor. Bulding works will probably start later in 2022 or the beginning of 2023. At the moment it is likely that the museum will only have to close parts of the building in 2023 to allow for the works to take place.

We have also started to recruit some of the key roles that will help to deliver the project. Alice Maddicott has been appointed Project Learning Officer and started on 1 March. Alice will oversee the delivery of the Activity Plan which will see the museum work with the local community through new learning programmes and thematic activities such as photography, reminiscence and oral history, as well as expanding existing programmes to meet the needs of particular groups, including the elderly and those with learning difficulties. The Activity Plan is set to run until 2026.

Further details on the scheme can be found here.