Welcome to 'Fire World' ~ the home of The Fire Services National Museum Trust
What's
Happening? ...
Over
the last few years and up until January 2009, we have been
working with 'Reland' who, as a Division of 'Gladedale' (the
site owners) have been leading the project to develop the
Weedon site, including our Museum. Here is an extract from
the notification they sent to us :-
"The
difficult economic circumstances and market conditions have
led to rationalisations within Gladedale Group, one result
being that Reland will effectively cease to operate. With
limited scope for development activity in the immediate and
foreseeable future the Group recognises the need to reduce
its number of operating divisions. Reland's projects will,
with immediate effect, be run by Gladedale Group's Special
Projects Division, along with their own existing projects.
This division is based in Epsom, but operates
nationally."
We
have worked with them before and have now met their team to
determine the effects of the economic climate on our
project. They are currently doing a review with an aim to
have completed it by the end of March / beginning of April.
I will keep everyone informed as I become aware of the
outcome.
In the meantime Volunteers continue maintenance and
restoration work on the collection to avoid deterioration.
Also, in combination with the Northampton Museum Service and
the Consultant (paid for by the east midlands museum
service) we undertook the review and updating of all written
policies and plans to bring our business plans up to the
standard now being required by such Fund Holders as Lottery,
Heritage and Museum National bodies. While the actions we
have taken put us in a position to apply for funding from
these sources the bidding process is usually long winded and
is unlikely to help in the very short term. The economic
downturn came at a really bad time for us as we were getting
near to making significant progress but it is imperative
that we ride out this difficult period and are in a position
to progress as soon as the opportunity comes. Our other
partners in the Weedon Project (such as the parish and
district councils) are still on board and the positive
support from the "Friends" continues to ensure that the work
on the collection is still moving forward.
Norman Dickerson - Chairman.
Cavalry House, Building 86, The Former Royal Ordnance Depot, Bridge Street, Weedon, Northampton NN7 4PS
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