Herne Bay Museum Trust - be part of it

Can you join the Herne Bay Museum Trust?

People power is needed to form a new trust to run the Herne Bay Museum.

The Friends of Herne Bay Museum and the Herne Bay Historical Records Society have teamed up to lead the bid to create a charitable incorporated organisation to take charge of the William Street site.

The aim is to take over the day-to-day running from Canterbury City Council but volunteers are needed to make this a reality. Phil Rose, from the friends, said:

"The Friends and Historical Records Society are taking the lead as they are the two organisations that are historically closest to the museum and supply most of the exhibits. We are looking for support across the town."

The trust will also be tasked with overseeing a remodelling of the museum. The Arts Council has handed a £77,000 grant to the city council with allocations of £15,000 for the two coastal museums towards renovation. Plans for how and when this will be spent have not yet been made.

The groups were sharing their ideas with residents and businesses at yesterday's business showcase in the Kings Hall and are hoping to arrange a public meeting soon. The trust needs to be formed by the autumn so it is in place for a projected hand over from the council in April 2015.

People with every type of skill are needed. Friends of the Museum secretary David Cross said:

"Getting people involved is the main thing. To get the trust in place we need the right people with the right skills."

Posts available will include a part time curator. The two groups are being helped by Kent museum development officer Sarah Corn, who was a student volunteer at the museum. She has helped to run East Grinstead museum with volunteers. Find out more at www.FoHBM.info