Museum Friends in the press
Jun 17, 2010 at 18:13 
Crash, bang, wallop! A massive multi-media extravaganza accompanied the public launch of the the Friends of Herne Bay Museum - people, dogs, cameras, sunshine, words on sticks, you name it - total sensory saturation, Herne Bay style.
Save our museum for sake of town
A campaign group which wants to save Herne Bay Museum from closure has been formed. The Friends of Herne Bay are battling to keep the museum in William Street open after the city council announced plans to change it to an education centre for schools and advanced bookings as part of an effort to cut its budget by £35 million over two years. Nearly 2,000 people signed a petition to try to stop museum closing David Cross, the Friends’ secretary, said:
“Herne Bay museum is different from the rest of the museums in the council’s remit. The larger part of the collection is owned by the Historical Records Society who hold it in trust for the town. Unlike Whitstable and Canterbury there was no supporting interest group representing the users of the museum and the residents of the town.
After an encouraging campaign there was a strong feeling that the body of opinion revealed in the petition and the letters, needed permanent representation. This especially at a time when the council is talking to interested parties and stakeholders. The Friends of Herne Bay Museum representing the interests of the users and supporters of the Museum in Herne Bay now needs people to join and help to secure the future of one of the town’s important attractions.”
HB Gazette 17th Jun 2010
Friends wanted to help preserve the museum
Supporters of Herne Bay Museum are being encouraged to join a Friends group to help keep it open. Council bosses announced last year that they planned to close the museum in William Street and replace it with an education centre for schools and groups which would have to book in advance and pay a fee. After massive public opposition and a petition of almost 2,000 signatures, officials decided to keep the museum open for a year while they discuss options for its future. Now campaigners have formed a support group to make sure the town’s views are heard. Spokesman David Cross said:
“The council received many letters and e-mails in support of the museum, and although the total museum budget has now been cut, the museum remains open while the council engages in a consultation exercise.
Herne Bay Museum is different from the rest of the museums in the council’s remit. The larger part of the collection is owned by the Historical Records Society which holds it in trust for the town. Unlike Whitstable and Canterbury there was no supporting interest group representing the users of the museum and the residents. After an encouraging campaign there was a strong feeling that the body of opinion revealed in the petition and the letters needed permanent representation.”
HB Times 24th Jun 2010
The group is now encouraging as many people as possible to join up and help play their part in securing the museum’s future. Membership costs £5 per year for individuals, £8 for families and £50 for a life membership. For more information e-mail museumfriends@hernebaymatters.com or write to Membership Secretary, The Friends of Herne Bay Museum, 56 Beacon Hill, Herne Bay CT6 6JN.
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