Police museum needs volunteer help (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Police museum needs volunteer help

THE future of Tetbury Police Museum lies with finding volunteers to keep the attraction open.

The museum's current curator Brian Toney, 71, wants to retire from the post after six years in the role, but he says he will continue with the work until more volunteers come forward.

The police museum is housed in three cells of the Old Courthouse, Long Street, and its curator's impending retirement posed three potential courses of action.

Members of the town council were told the threat of closure for the museum was very real unless more support could be found.

Councillors also considered allowing the museum to continue without a curator, meaning no improvements or expansion, which would lead to its decline.

Another possibility considered was to employ a new curator, paid from the council's annual budget.

But there was jubilation after hearing Mr Toney would continue in his role until more volunteers could come forward.

Last year, Mr Toney gave some 416 voluntary hours to the museum. Other volunteers clocked up a total of 480 hours between them.

Mayor of Tetbury John Dearnley said: "It is one of the most attractive free museums in the county, and we look forward to seeing it continuing to expand." The museum runs on a five-year improvement scheme, which allows it to register annually if it meets requirements.

The final phases of the last expansion have been completed after three years of work and funding struggles.

The museum now boasts a brand new courtroom scene, with life-size models and audio feature.

Although this will attract new tourism, the daily running of the museum relies on help from volunteers.

But staffing levels will be low, and existing volunteers, whilst still offering their time, do not wish to take over the curator's position after his retirement.

Mr Toney said: "Funding is no longer a problem, as any expansion may continue through grants. What we really need are volunteers to run the museum as it is.

"Volunteers need to be people with flexible time, such as retired people.

"But closure is not foreseeable. We hope to carry on and continue expanding."