A new cash boost for Beamish Museum takes donations from its 'Friends' to a remarkable total of £2.1m, it has been revealed.
The County Durham visitor attraction relies heavily upon its supporters and its Friends of Beamish group has just donated £225,000 which will be used to help finance the museum's ongoing development which includes the 1950s Town and plans to expand with a Georgian tavern and overnight accommodation.
The museum, which is currently planning retro-theme activities to celebrate the coronation, says the new cash boost takes the total amount donated by its Friends over the past 55 years to an "amazing" £2.1m and, thanking them, chief executive Rhiannon Hiles called the money and time given by Friends volunteers "truly remarkable".
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She said: "Beamish wouldn’t be where it is today without them" and she added: “Their latest donation will go towards the completion of our Remaking Beamish project." Already well under way, this development - which was awarded £10.9m by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2016 - is the biggest in the museum’s history and includes the 1950s Town and Farm and expansion of its Georgian landscape.
The 1950s area has grown rapidly, with a playground opening recently near the main town street which includes a hair salon - where visitors can have fifties hairstyles - and a chip shop. Work is continuing on the cinema site opposite while the site's Georgian area is to have self-catering accommodation, a Drovers’ Tavern, a pottery and a toll house.
The Friends group, first set up in 1968, has supported a range of on-site work, including tiles in the main fish and chip shop Davey's at the pit village; Hetton Band Hall and St Helen’s Church. It has also helped fund restoration work and buy vehicles and objects for the Northern General Transport Bus Depot.
Some members also volunteer to help with workshop projects or dress in costume to accompany exhibits or events. The latest donation came from the Friends of Beamish and Business Friends of Beamish and Rhiannon added: “We are incredibly grateful for their amazing support."
Ian Bean, projects director of the Friends of Beamish, agreed it was a "fantastic achievement" and said the supporters have helped the museum acquire a variety of objects, including clocks, paintings, books and even cars and motorcycles, to help tell the Beamish story.
Anyone interested in joining the Friends, whose membership includes benefits such as free entry, discounts in food and shop outlets, a free magazine and invitations to monthly talks, see Beamish Museum's website here.
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