Berwick Museum Transfers to Woodhorn - March 30th 2010
30 March 2010.
Management of the historic Berwick Museum and Art Gallery is due to be transferred from Northumberland County Council to the Woodhorn Trust, in a move aimed at sharing and consolidating expertise, while ensuring a more efficient and cost effective operation into the future.
The original town museum in Berwick was founded in 1867 by members of the Berwickshire Naturalists, and by the 1880s it was set up in Marygate near the Town Hall.
In 1985 it moved to the iconic Berwick Barracks – the first purpose built barracks in Britain – from where it still provides a fascinating look at the historic town, including a mediaeval story and examples of treasures collected by millionaire Sir William Burrell.
Woodhorn was set up as an independent trust in 2009 and runs the award winning Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archive Service, which is based at Woodhorn and Berwick Record Office, as well as acting in a supporting capacity to other Northumberland museums.
The trust is a key part of the regional and national museums infrastructure and its charity status allows it to access a range of funding sources for museum development.
Councillor Isabel Hunter is executive member for culture at Northumberland County Council. She says: “The advent of the Woodhorn Trust has provided a great opportunity to share and consolidate the considerable expertise that exists within the county in the delivery of museum and archive services.
“Through transferring the management of the Berwick Museum and Gallery we can create a more efficient and cost effective operation, and ultimately deliver a better service to the many thousands of local people and visitors who enjoy these services each year.
“We do recognise however, the distinctive nature of the different parts of Northumberland, and through the transfer wish to ensure that the identity and local character of the museum are maintained.”
Keith Merrin, chief executive of the Woodhorn Trust added: “Through our archives work we already have a presence in Berwick and understand the importance of the area’s history to local people and visitors. We hope to be able to bring some of our experience in welcoming over 100,000 visitors each year at Woodhorn to Berwick Museum and Art Gallery and help consolidate it as an important cultural venue in the town.”
The transfer is due to take place on 1 April, and staff at the museum and gallery will move to the trust as part of the arrangements. Ownership of the museum collections will remain with the council, or existing private depositors.
Northumberland County Council has also agreed in principle to transfer management of the Hexham Old Gaol museum and Moothall, and the Morpeth Bagpipe Museum, to the Woodhorn Trust, and these are expected to take place later this year. The council will retain its strategic responsibility for heritage in the county.