WORK on Lymm’s proposed heritage centre has reached an exciting stage with the replacement of the old flat roof with a pitched one which is far more in keeping with local architecture.
Now with work well under way the centre is opening up applications for volunteer positions in a variety of roles.
Work is almost complete on a Heritage Lottery Application for around £90K that would provide the funding to create a core exhibition. The application also covers setting up and enabling a number of activities that will give all parts of the community the chance to participate and benefit.
These include a learning programme for local schools, a digitisation archive project that will provide a permanent high quality stored record of images and their stories associated with them through an oral history project. The centre also aims to act as the kick-off point for a number of illustrated walks and trails round the village.
“It is fantastic to see momentum building” said the group’s Chair Alan Williams . “I was at a traders’ meeting recently and there was real enthusiasm about the centre’s potential to have a positive impact for the village.
“I also visited Keate House residential home who are also following our progress closely and are looking forward to accessing the centre’s resources. We also have letters of support from all the local schools and look forward to being able to start to develop a programme for them. We believe that we will offer great value for HLF’s investment in us but we will have to wait and see with fingers crossed.”
The group’s most recent find was an 1845 original watercolour of the centre of Lymm viewed from Rectory Lane. The group are planning to produce high quality prints for sale at Dickensian Day where they will also be offering a new “Shop Lymm” bag featuring original advertisements for shops and businesses that were operating in Lymm in the Victorian Era. You will find the group at the Youth and Community Centre.
Finally the group are launching a Volunteer Campaign. This will be a great opportunity for people to get involved in and share Lymm’s village story with others. A whole range of skills are needed from technical and admin to marketing and education as well as the all important greeting of visitors.
Contribution could be as a little as a couple of hours a month and all team members will receive training. Whether you are retired and looking for a new interest or would just like to gain some experience to add to your CV register your interest without commitment now at www.lymmhic.co.uk/theteam
