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What's Happening? ...

Chairman's Review of the Current Situation (March 2009).

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.

The Fire Services National Museum Trust
Cavalry House, Building 86, The Former Royal Ordnance Depot, Bridge Street, Weedon, Northampton NN7 4PS


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