Everyone invited to museum consultation and open day

Now that the new Windsor & Royal Borough Museum is up and running, the Council is working to develop a programme of community exhibitions, activities and events - and is calling on local people and organisations to get involved in planning for what will happen in the future.

Everyone is invited to a Public Consultation and Open Day (with free museum admission) on Sunday 17 April (12noon to 4pm). Part of preparing a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the event will give people the opportunity to have a look around the museum, see the historic Guildhall itself, share stories about the history of the building and give their views about how the museum can be developed as a real community resource.

Margaret Kirby, service manager for heritage and arts, said the open day would allow everyone in the community to play a part in how the museum is developed and used in the future.

She said: "The museum has got off to a fantastic start and there has been a lot of local interest in seeing what has been done with the Guildhall and how we have used the space to depict the history of Windsor and the borough. Now we want to take things a step further and, with the help of ideas and suggestions from local people, we want to make the museum and the Guildhall itself must-see attractions for borough residents and visitors alike."

Part of the open day will be an 'instant exhibition' made up of old photos which residents are being asked to bring along.

If the £216,000 Heritage Lottery Fund bid is successful, work could start later this year on an expanded community participation project telling the full story of the Guildhall and of Windsor as a barracks town, creating oral and video histories from people associated with the area.

For more information about the open day contact alice.bigelow@virgin.net

The museum is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 12noon to 4pm on Sundays and bank holiday Mondays.

Entry is free to Advantage Card holders and to Friends of the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum. There is a small entry fee of £3 for non-card holders; concessions £2; young people aged 12 - 17 £1; children under 12 free. Schools and other group visits welcome by appointment on Mondays.

Call 01628 685686, email museum@rbwm.gov.uk or visit www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/museum.htm

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