SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR NEW MUSEUM

SUPPORT for a temporary exhibition charting Crediton's history has been so great that organisers are optimistic the town will now finally get its own permanent museum.

The Crediton Area History and Museum Society set-up the exhibition, Crediton Through The Ages, rent-free in the Old Town Hall during the Crediton Festival.

"The exhibition has proved a great success," said committee member John Heal.

"More than 500 people visited the exhibition in the first three weeks, which I think proves there's interest in the town."

Due to its success, the exhibition has been extended past the end of the festival on Sunday.

And the hope is that it can remain open for most of the summer months, close for the winter and then re-open permanently as a museum or heritage centre in April.

When the society was formed 25 years ago, its main objective was to open a museum in the town, but this was thwarted by a lack of funds. Now the society is facing what it feels to be an achievable goal.

"It's great this is happening in our 25th year," said Mr Heal, 60, who has been involved with the society since 2000 and was secretary for six years.

The society has been offered the venue for an annual rent of £6,000 and it estimates running costs to be £1,000pa. It is anticipated that when the museum opens permanently, visitors would be charged a small entry fee to help make ends meet.

The committee has been preparing applications for grants from a number of organisations, including the National Lottery.

Mr Heal added: "We've already raised over £1,000 in pledges of support from people in the town and many voluntary donations from visitors."

Some have pledged money on a yearly basis.

The society expects set-up costs to more than £5,000, which would include redecorating the area and purchasing modern computer equipment for displays.

Local museums, including Teignmouth and Exmouth, have offered support and the loan of artefacts and the society has already amassed a sizeable collection of exhibits, currently in storage at Downes.

Archivist John Jones said these included a fire service uniform from the last war, donated by a woman from Crediton, and a radio and camera collection.

He said: "We're interested in anything that stimulates nostalgia. Many of the artefacts come from the 50s, because we had a 50s exhibition in the past, but the oldest are from the 1800s. The documents go back to the 1400s."

Mr Heal attended a Crediton Town Council meeting to ask the council for financial support.

"A permanent exhibition would enable us to make extensive archives more accessible to people," the retired computer technician told councillors.

"We have enough material to change the displays on a regular basis, and we're hoping that, within a year of opening, we could make it a family history centre as well.

"Hopefully it will also attract more people to the High Street area, which will help local businesses."

The possibility of the museum also housing a tourist information centre has also been raised.

The council agreed in principle to support the project, and will consider the amount it will donate at its meeting in July.

Councillor Nick Way said: "I'm always very encouraged by the history society. They have so many volunteers willing to give up time to do something for the town."

Mr Jones said: "Support for this project is growing within the town and surrounding area.

"We need further help, mainly in the area of revenue funding, which is not covered by grant providers such as Heritage Lottery. New members and offers of help are welcomed."

For details, visit the exhibition, call 01363 776502 or email sandra.cooper22@talktalk.net. The exhibition is open from 10am- 4pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-1pm on Saturdays.