Tolson Museum at risk?
The following is my letter in response to these headlines which were shouted from the front of a recent Examiner. The facts in my letter were subsequently used in an article in the paper. The information I use comes from a survey carried out on the estate in 2015.
‘The statement that £4.2m is needed to repair the Tolson Museum is a scare story. There has been a recent survey. If you look closely at the figures in that survey you see that the £4.2m includes the cost of repairs, not only to the museum, but also to the Clock Tower, the pump house, the stable block and the workshop block. If you take these buildings out it comes to £3m. Also In the survey the cost of the repairs is put into 4 categories indicating the levels of the urgency of the work. The cost of repairs to Tolson Museum in category 1 is £275k, category 2 is £208k, category 3 is £656k and £1m in category 4. This is still a large amount of money but the work would be phased in over the years. The Huddersfield District Committee surely could use some of its money to help facilitate this! This Museum is the historical heritage of the people of Huddersfield.
It should also be born in mind, that if the Museum were to close, there would be a cost in closing and securing this building. A building which, apart from three rooms which are fully let for educational courses, is absolutely full of historical and environmental artefacts from attic to cellar. There is not a spare inch. Indeed the ‘Friends’ items have to be stored in a cubby hole. What on earth will happen to these important artefacts?
I will not go into the history of the Tolson Museum but just say that this House, given to be a museum, a Huddersfield Brass Castle, holds the story of Huddersfield and its environment. The house and the artifacts in it are the heritage of the people of Huddersfield and should remain available for all to understand and enjoy.’
Following this I was contacted by Mark Littler who is passionate about the Museum and has set about organising a campaign to save the museum. He has met with the ‘Friends’ and he has set up a petition. I would urge you to go online and sign up. Please note a decision has not yet been made but we know that some museums will have to go.
Save The Tolson Museum – Discover why and how at http://www.change.org/p/kirklees-council-save-the-tolson-museum
Love to Run? Tolson junior parkrun will be starting on 17th April
We are very excited to confirm that the Tolson junior parkrun will be starting on 17th April. It is a free 2km timed run around Ravensknowle Park for children aged 4-14 every Sunday morning at 9am. If you are not a parkrunner already you just need to register your child at once at www.parkrun.org.uk/register, and this generates a parkrun number and barcode that they bring to each run. Everyone sets off together after the briefing and warm-up and it is great fun for all abilities. Children can run with or without parents as the course will be fully marshalled, and the Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle will be on hand to serve refreshments before and after each event. Times are recorded and notified to you by text or email and there rewards for competing 11 (half- marathon), 21 (marathon) and 50 (Ultra-marathon) runs.
We, of course, need lots of volunteers each week to marshal the course and collect the results. All the roles are straight forward and enjoyable, and take about 20 minutes during the run – just turn up and do your bit! Marshalls help ensure everyone has a happy and safe event. Anyone able to volunteer should register with parkrun (same process as runners) and join Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/Tolsonjuniors/. If you are not on Facebook, email louisegalvin@outlook.com
The parkrun is supported by Jog Kirklees, Friends of Tolson and Ravensknowle, and parkrun UK. We look forward to seeing you there!
Louise Galvin Event Director, Tolson junior parkrun
Also, we are happy for older children to be involved as volunteers (younger ones too if supervised!) It can help towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award. All run directors are DBS checked and we have a parkrun Safeguarding policy.
Remembering the Battle of the Somme 1st July
Service to commemorate this battle when so many were killed including Robert Tolson, who died on the first day of the Somme aged 32.
Heritage Memorial Garden at 2pm
Officiated by Bishop of Huddersfield.
Civic leaders attending.