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Search forWork proceeds on Combe Martin village museum
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 07:00
The village's museum is moving to its new state-of the-art home in Cross Street, following a huge injection of grant funding from a host of agencies.
Tricia Hampson from the museum's committee explained: "There have been a few delays — including the high voltage underground cable discovery. We then had to wait for SWEB to make decisions about its future.
"There was also the fracture of the land drain which then needed re-routing, as an indoor swimming pool is not conducive to the well being of museum artefacts. And the existing sewage channels also needed replacing."
The museum committee received a Heritage Lottery grant of £267,000 as well as funding from Devon Renaissance for the new-look building.
Tricia added: "Considering that some parts of the building are over 400 years old and no-one knew what would be found when floors were dug up to remove the oil pollution, we have got off quite lightly.
"The walls are tanked and insulated, the floors have been replaced, there are new roofs, doors and windows, the whole building has been rewired, under floor heating has been installed and there is a lavatory.
"What a difference to the old building which had no water or heating and the only sanitation was a commode for display purposes."
She said: "The result is a building which has reached very high standards on the scale which the fund holders insisted on, to comply with current environmentally friendly standards. The shop fitters will now go in to build the internal display partitions and showcases."
The specially built displays will re-visit many aspects of the village's history including its silver-mining past, strawberry-farming history — and a special display about the Earl of Rone festivities.
Tricia said that to make sure the project stayed on track and adhered to contracts, the committee were having to keep pinpoint-accurate reports of progress and finance, as well as formulating educational programmes, worked out with schools, to encourage school and group visits and marketing strategies to boost tourism.
She added: "If anyone would like to volunteer for any duties within this warm, hospitable and centrally placed venue, please contact Ian or Hilary Fletcher on 01271 882614.
"A few hours each week, fortnight or month will be greatly appreciated and there is much fun to be had in meeting and greeting people. A knowledge of local history is not necessary as there will be lots of information to hand and there is always someone to ask."
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