MUSEUM RELAUNCHED

Fleetwood Museum is ready to take off for another season and trustees have issued a rallying cry for people's support. The community had to stage a fight for the survival of the collection three years ago when the county council threatened to pull the plug. The campaign won a 12-month reprieve and last summer a partnership began with the county council which provided one paid employee while volunteers performed a variety of tasks. Now chairman of the trust, Keith Porter, wants to cement that relationship and is keen for more Fleetwood people to attend their own museum. He said: "They would be surprised how interesting our displays are and, besides giving the history of how Fleetwood began, there is a lot which touches local people's own history if family members worked in the fishing industry or even ICI. "There are also the tragedies of trawlers lost and the tales of courage by the lifeboat crews and the young fishermen who were part of the war effort in the early 40's." The museum has a core of 35 volunteers who man the front desk and watch over the galleries on two floors ? but more help would be welcomed. Mr Porter said: "In the past year our volunteers have worked front of house greeting visitors but have also made a valuable contribution behind the scenes. "They find it very enjoyable." The museum will open again on April 7, but before then it will have had a publicity boost from opera singer Alfie Boe who has already agreed to become a special patron. The museum is being helped by a three-year £30,000 sponsorship deal with Xafinity Paymaster, the pensions administration company based at Hesketh House, Fleetwood. Mr Porter added: "The Trust are very grateful for the generous and continuing donations from Paymaster which have enabled the museum to stay open and are working on plans to raise more funding to make visiting the museum an even better experience for the future. "We see it as our mission to make the best possible display of Fleetwood's heritage for both local people and tourists and to inspire learning for Fleetwood children and the many who visit from all over the North West. "More school parties visited Fleetwood Museum last year than most other museums in Lancashire. We also believe that the museum can contribute to the tourism economy of Fleetwood which is so important to the town's regeneration. The new season will start with two weeks of workshops for children aged four to 11. Those interested can get details and book places by phoning the museum on (01253) 876621 Those interested in become museum volunteers should call Sue Porter on (01253) 873824.