News - Plea for rethink over closure of heritage museum (Sheffield)

SHEFFIELD University is being urged to think again over a decision to close the city’s ‘secret museum’ – the Traditional Heritage Museum in Ecclesall Road.

The university, which owns the buildings and displays, says it can no longer meet the costs, including the “significant capital investment” that is required.

But founder Professor John Widdowson, speaking on behalf of the volunteers, who have been running the museum, is asking for the decision to be reconsidered.

Although an estimated £500,000 is needed to bring the museum up to standard, he said “every effort” should be made to secure external funding “so that the museum can continue to make its unique collections and its services and facilities available to students and the community”.

In a letter to the Friends organisation, Traditional Heritage, he says: “The possibility that this sum could be raised by sponsorship, public appeal, help in kind from local and/or national businesses, or an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund has evidently not been considered, nor has the phasing of the essential work over a period of time in order to avoid an immediate capital outlay.”

It is also being suggested that Friends seek the support of councillors and local MP Paul Blomfield.

The museum was created by Prof Widdowson in 1964 and moved into its present premises, the former hall of Endcliffe Methodist Church, in 1977. The building has suffered from flooding, heating problems and asbestos.

Reflecting social history between 1850 and 1970, it features displays such as little mesters’ workshops, a replica kitchen from the 1920s and recreations of a variety of Sheffield shops, such as Pollard’s tea and coffee and Renwick’s Basketmakers.

Prof Widdowson said he understood the pressures on the university but it would be a “blow” to Sheffield if the museum closed permanently. It was last open to the public at the end of February.

“It has been very successful and very popular with the old and young alike and we have a successful project with schools and have visitors from overseas. It’s a unique collection.”

A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said the decision had been taken to permanently close the building as it required “significant capital investment in order to meet the necessary standards required of a public building. The university has supported the use of the building for over 25 years but regrettably can no longer meet these costs or provide the capital investment needed.

“The university is currently in consultation with the Traditional Heritage Museum with regard to the best way forward for the items on display within the building.

“The university would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of Prof John Widdowson and the volunteers who have helped to run the Traditional Heritage Museum on Ecclesall Road over many years.”

From: http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/plea_for_rethink_over_closure_of_heritage_museum_1_3842764

News - Sheffield Traditional Heritage Museum shuts permanently

A Sheffield museum which has been closed since February is to shut its doors permanently, its owners say.

The University of Sheffield, which owns the building housing the Traditional Heritage Museum, said it could not afford the "very significant capital investment" needed to maintain it.

The museum, which opened in 1985, is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Sheffield University said it would consult with the museum over the future of the collections housed there.

The museum, based at 605 Ecclesall Road, contains a variety of walk-through displays, including a replica kitchen from the 1920s and a variety of shops from Sheffield's past.

'Necessary standards'

The University of Sheffield closed the building in February in order to carry out an assessment of the property's infrastructure.

A university spokesman said that, following the results of that assessment, it had been decided that it did not have the funds "to meet the necessary standards required of a public building".

"The university has supported the use of the building for over 25 years, but regrettably can no longer meet these costs or provide the capital investment needed," he said.

He added that the university would like to acknowledge the "hard work and commitment" of Prof John Widdowson, the museum's curator, and the volunteers who had given their time to run the museum.

The university said it would consult with Prof Widdowson about the future of the museum's collections, and would be taking expert advice from the museums sector.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-15173891

News - Founder of Traditional Heritage Museum says site could close for good (Sheffield)

SHEFFIELD’S ‘secret museum’ is facing permanent closure – because it could cost £500,000 to repair the former church hall in which it is based.

Traditional Heritage Museum founder Professor John Widdowson believes a formal announcement by its owner Sheffield University will come soon.

The museum, run by volunteers and students, has been closed since February because of health and safety issues.

Based in the former hall of Endcliffe Methodist Church on Ecclesall Road, it features a variety of displays representing Sheffield from past decades.

“The cost to repair the building will be substantial at a time when the university is seriously strapped for cash,” Prof Widdowson said.

“But this is a unique resource and is one of the few examples of a facility where the university interacts with the people of Sheffield.

“The university owns the important collections inside which span the years from 1850 to 1970, and if they are split up then the integrity of the collection as a whole will be lost.”

The museum was created by Prof Widdowson in 1964 and moved into its present building in 1977, a church hall first built in 1928.

“There are obvious problems with the hall – we had trouble with the heating last year and that was before the awful snow in December,” the professor said.

“After that we suffered from burst pipes and flooding, and a subsequent survey found asbestos in the boiler room and basement. The university has spent £30,000 on repairs in recent times so their commitment has been there.”

Prof Widdowson said little thought seemed to have been given to whether the repair work could be carried out in phases to better manage the cost.

He added: “It could be that launching some sort of appeal for sponsorship or support could be the only way forward,” he added.

The museum has a variety of walk-through displays, including a replica kitchen from the 1920s and recreations of a variety of Sheffield shops, such as Pollard’s tea and coffee and Renwick’s Basketmakers.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/founder_of_traditional_heritage_museum_says_site_could_close_for_good_1_3715420

News - Will ‘secret museum’ ever return? (Sheffield)

QUESTION marks are hanging over the future of a ‘secret’ Sheffield museum which has now been closed for six months.

The Traditional Heritage Museum on Ecclesall Road is owned by Sheffield University but has been run in recent years entirely by volunteers.

Based in the former hall of Endcliffe Methodist Church, it features a variety of displays representing Sheffield from past decades.

A university spokesman said the museum had been closed due to health and safety concerns but refused to give further details.

“The University of Sheffield has undertaken a full assessment of the property and will be discussing its findings with the relevant people. The museum will remain closed at this time,” he added.

But volunteers and supporters fear the museum may now have shut its doors for good.

Regular visitor Peter Bolt, of Marshall Road, Woodseats, said its permanent closure was on the cards.

“It has provided a unique experience over the years, giving an insight into how trades and shops used to provide services to people in a bygone era,” he said.

“The museum is the only one of its kind in Sheffield - we do not have anything like it on the same lines.”

The museum opened in 1985 and has a variety of walk-through displays, including a replica kitchen from the 1920s and a variety of Sheffield shops, such as Pollard’s tea and coffee and Renwick’s Basketmakers.

The interior of Pollard’s Coffee and Grocery shop was created from original fittings preserved from the former shop on Glossop Road.

Other collections date from 1850 to 1950 and illustrate life and work in Sheffield, including several displays reflecting the ‘little mester’ trades.

Another preserved shop is Thackeray’s, which used to be in a terrace house at Upper Hanover Street.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/will_secret_museum_ever_return_1_3706050

News - Fears Sheffield's Traditional Heritage museum may close

Volunteers at a Sheffield museum fear it may have closed its doors for the final time.

The Traditional Heritage Museum closed in February after concerns over health and safety.

Volunteer Gordon Murfin said he was unable to find any information about its future.

Sheffield University, which owns the building, said no-one was available to comment.

The museum, which has been open since 1985, has given visitors an experience of Sheffield from years gone by in the former church hall of Endcliffe Methodist Church.

Based on Ecclesall Road, the hall has a variety of walk-through displays, including a replica kitchen from the 1920s and a variety of Sheffield shops, such as Pollard's tea and coffee and Renwick's Basketmakers.

Mr Murfin said other volunteers had shared their dismay and it would be a shame to close the 'wonderful reconstruction" of Sheffield's past.

"We can't get a lot of sense out of anybody. We understand that there was a health hazard but it's been going on forever and we can't get anywhere," Mr Murfin said.

Volunteer curator Prof John Widdowson said the university had planned to hold a meeting on its future in June.

Despite Sheffield University owning the museum and the displays, the venture has been entirely run by volunteers.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-13903574