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Historic museums face closure |
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Historic museums face closure |
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Two historic London museums face closure in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, say campaigners. The council has already reduced the opening hours of the world famous William Morris Gallery and the lesser known Vestry House Museum, which is devoted to the local history of the area. Thousands of letters objecting to the reduction in opening hours and staffing levels have been received by the council and so many people wanted to attend a local public meeting that many were turned away because the hall was full before the start of the meeting. Local councillors claim that in order to save money they have to make ‘some really difficult decisions’. Whilst national press reports have focussed on the Morris gallery, little attention has been paid to the plight of the Vestry House Museum, which was opened in 1930 as the Borough of Walthamstow’s local museum. In 1965 it was taken over by the then newly created London Borough of Waltham Forest. The building also houses the borough archives and local studies library. Vestry House Museum is also home to the Waltham Forest Oral History Workshop which was founded in 1983 and featured on the cover of Local History Magazine No.14 in 1986. It is almost certainly one of the country’s longest established oral history workshops with many excellent project to its credit. Since 1983 it has made over 500 recordings and published eleven books or pamphlets. For more information visit their website. The best way to show your support for the campaign to keep the museums open is to visit them and to sign the online petition, where you can find lots of other information about the campaign. You can also join The Friends of the William Morris Gallery, who play an important role in promoting the Gallery's collections and activities. They have helped to finance exhibitions, publications and raised funds for the purchase of many new important acquisitions. They are leading the campaign to save the museum. Membership costs: £4 conc, over 60 or full-time student; £8 adult and £12 family. Contact the Secretary, The Friends of the William Morris Gallery, William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London E17 4PP. Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9NH, Tue–Wed & Fri 10am–1pm & 2.00–5.15pm, Sat 10am–1pm & 2.00–4.45pm, tel: 020 8509 1917, email: vestry.house@walthamstowforest.gov.uk. William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London E17 4PP, Tue–Sat & 1st Sun of month 10am–1pm & 2–5pm, tel: 020 8527 3782, email: wmg.enquiries@lbwf.gov.uk.
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27 April 2007
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