Phase two - 50 years and beyond

The Museum was recently successful in its grant submission to the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) for a grant to employ heritage architects to work with us to develop a series of concept designs of future Museum layouts. Once agreed these designs will create a mandate from Museum Trustees to approach South Somerset District Planners to gain agreement on which areas of the Museum buildings can be developed.

In total the funding is for £19400 with the split being £17,400 from the AHF and £2000 from Museum reserves. Tim Burge was appointed as the Project Manager in January 2023. Tim has worked with the Museum on several projects and has had our full support in the past. He is currently negotiating with several architect firms to carry detailed workplans.

Looking to the parallel work the Museum is close to completing its funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). The aim of this grant application is twofold, too:

fund our undertaking of a public consultation with various community groups and individuals from both Chard and the surrounding villages to gather evidence to determine how they see their Museum of the future and its visitor offer to evolve as a true community museum. The outcome we want to achieve is “More people become involved in Heritage”
determine ways of improving our financial and organisational resilience by developing new areas of business income and introducing more diversity into the Membership of the Museum

If successful, the specialisms we will to look work with will support us to:

Deliver evidence from community consultation supporting Trustee and Members decision making to move into Phase 3 of 50 Years and Beyond.
Deliver a Business Plan that facilitates the Museum to enhance its financial and operational resilience.
Project Manage the diverse aspects of the grant and ensure integration with the Spaces aspect of 50 Years and Beyond.

stories and spaces

The Museum is planning to start a community consultation in late August early September 2023. In preparation for that activity we are asking for your feedback to help us plan that activity. We would be grateful if you could complete a short survey. It will take less than 2-minutes.

The survey is in 2-parts. The first part asks some questions about our Museum Without Walls and especially the website. The second part asks for you ideas about best we can interact effectively with our visitors and local community.

You can read more about Phase 1 of 50 Years and Beyond here