We received the news this week that our community asset transfer bid was succesful.
Whilst the museum will remain closed until completion of the lease to FOHM, the Council has agreed for FOHM to be able to use the building for two special occasions to include participation in Heritage Open Days in September and the much-anticipated Sylvia Plath Literary Festival taking place in October.
“This is a wonderful way to celebrate the Museum’s golden anniversary year. We want to create a museum that provides a place where we can come together as a community to explore our shared past and build a shared future and make our village and our planet better places to live and a welcoming place for everyone.”
Tim Machin, FOHM Chair
“As part of our Future Council work to respond to the challenges of COVID-19 and our already challenging, pre-pandemic financial position, we have been exploring interest from community groups to take over the running of some of our buildings.
“It has been a great pleasure to work with the talented and passionate Friends of Heptonstall Museum on this community asset transfer, which will breathe new life into the museum and create a sustainable future, maintain valued public services and give access to a wider range of funding opportunities.”
Cllr Silvia Dacre, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources
Cllr Jenny Lynn, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, added:
“It’s wonderful to see the community group’s commitment to the borough and their exciting ideas for Heptonstall Museum’s future as we move towards the Vision2024 for Calderdale and the Year of Culture in 2024. Working together to harness our local heritage and culture is a key part of our new CultureDale brand, and continues the development of Calderdale’s growing profile as a vibrant cultural destination.”
The Friends will now begin in earnest to plan the reopening of the museum in Spring 2023.
Read our full Press Release here