Keswick Museum

[Guest]

I saw in the Herald that our museum in Keswick may have to close and be turned into some sort of tourist attraction. We have a lovely friendly museum, why would they want to change it? I'm sure that tourists already visit it as there are good exhibitions held there.

Is this another case of Allerdale council trying to make a big profit out of Keswick?

[Guest]

You may have seen press reports about a group of local people setting up a Steering Committee to look into taking over the Trust of the Museum from Allerdale to try and revitalise it in a sympathetic manner. Some of us are also trying to set up a Friends of Keswick Museum. If you are interested in more details contact me on <!-- e --><a href="mailto:sallynewton@ktdinternet.com">mailto:sallynewton@ktdinternet.com</a><!-- e -->

[Guest]

Sally, I had read about the group in the Reminder. Family pressures and work gives me very little spare time to join in with volunteer groups. I did read that the museum will be staying open this year, which is really good news. Is there a web site or similar with information about the Friends of Keswick Museum?

[Guest]

Keswick Museum is open 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday until end of October, 2004 and entry is free. This is due to tough negotiations between Friends of Keswick Museum and Allerdale.

Visitor numbers have increased 450% this year on 2002, which was the last year when the Museum was open all week. Donations are doing well too. 30 Volunteers steward the galleries and help the Allerdale Duty Officer. 4 exhibitions booked. At present an exhibition of lithographs by Frank Brangwyn until end of June.
2-31 July Summer Art Exhibition - 13 local artists' works will be available for sale.
10-31st August exhibition of costumes by Theatre by the Lake, together with models of set designs and photos from productions
October Jeff Taylor and others ' photos of Old Keswick.

No website has yet but hope to have one by end of year.