Tolson Memorial Museum – What next?
Despite what the papers say, Tolson Museum will stay open for several years. The Cabinet Papers for the meeting of 3rd October state ‘The Tolson Museum and Huddersfield Art Gallery will continue to operate until a replacement is nearing completion’. There are no plans, no ideas, no possible buildings, nothing at all to suggest when or where this new museum and art gallery might be!
At the Kirklees Cabinet meeting on Monday 3rd October we once again put the case for Tolson Museum to be the Museum of Huddersfield, with the Art Gallery and restaurant on the site. However, even though Kirklees Council owns Tolson, the view of the Cabinet is that there should be a new museum in the centre of Huddersfield. We maintain that there will be no savings with this plan. The costs of moving the contents of Tolson would be about £1m and goodness knows what a new building would cost, so no savings there! The Cabinet were asked about revenue costs of borrowing the money needed to repair the Tolson buildings. There was no answer. So on all the financial issues we are no wiser, except that it is clear that no one was prepared to say that there would be capital or revenue savings from closing Tolson and moving to the town centre. And the cost of keeping the building snowballed was not even mentioned.
Our petitions and deputations have had some impact. It is now recognised that Huddersfield should have a Museum. We are meeting with officers in the next couple of weeks to talk through how the museum is going to continue to function during the coming uncertain years.
And in case it still seems all gloom and doom at the present time, a new kitchen is being fitted in the Museum! Also at the meeting it was confirmed that Ravensknowle Park will not be affected.
The Friends continue to work for Tolson to be the Museum of Huddersfield. We have a programme for both inside the Museum, and in the Garden and Park. Please come and support our events. We are open for business.
Remembrance Service
Heritage Memorial Garden
10.45am Friday 11th November
Led by Rev Nancy Babarinde
Victorian Christmas Fair
Tea & Cake
2pm – 3.30pm. 2nd Wed in month.
Book stall. Free.
12th Oct. Community Policing.
9th Nov. An item of history.
14th Dec. Christmas Quiz and party.
11th Jan. Local weather. Paul Stevens, bring along a
weather picture.
Spookie cream tea
About Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle
The Committee of Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle meet once a month to plan the programme for the local community and support the work of the Museum. We look after the Heritage Memorial Garden. We would welcome any one who is interested in working with us.
For more information please contact Volunteer Ann, Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle. m: 07803159506 email: secretary@friendsoftolson.org