The grant will help fund an exciting volunteer-led project that will rejuvenate the museum and its current collections – helping to put it at the heart of the community of Alnwick and the surrounding district.

‘Bailiffgate – at the Heart of the Community’ came to fruition after widespread consultation with local people who raised concerns that knowledge of traditional skills, customs and the area’s unique dialect were at risk of being lost or forgotten if action wasn't taken soon.

The resulting project will focus on the museum’s permanent collection, the photographic collection - not currently on show to the public - and a future oral history project. Working together with the local community is vital. Two large-scale community projects will take the museum out into 10 different communities to explore and record their diverse local heritage in a range of ways. 

The museum’s volunteer network will grow and be considerably developed over the course of the project. Volunteers form the backbone of the project plans and will deliver the museum’s core business functions. Extensive training will be available to the volunteers including the chance to learn archive conservation and delivering workshops and heritage talks.

Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said: “Ensuring our museums and galleries have a strong connection with their local communities is very important to us at the Heritage Lottery Fund. Creating and sustaining these links means local museums can deliver real and long-term benefits for those who use it the most. This project is energised by dedicated and passionate volunteers, that will create an excellent resource for the local community and visitors alike, showcasing the rich heritage of Alnwick and making sure it is preserved for future generations.”

Sir Alan Beith, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, said: “This is extremely good news for the Bailiffgate Museum and I congratulate the trustees, staff and all the volunteers who will be able to continue their excellent work because of this HLF grant. The museum has become a big part of our local community and I am looking forward to seeing how the displays and involvement with residents and visitors develops.”

Tom Pattinson, Chairman of the trustees, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this funding from HLF, which enables us to turn our exciting plans for the future into a reality. It is tremendous news for the Bailiffgate Museum and for the community.”

Jane Nolan MBE, a trustee and member of the project team, said: “We have some very exciting plans for revitalising the displays, enhancing our facilities, and for making the museum both a must see destination for tourists and a welcoming, vibrant and well used venue for our communities. We are now looking forward to delivering those plans as a volunteer team.”

Jane Mann, a trustee and project team member, said: “The support we have received from the community and our volunteers has been fantastic and we are really looking forward to working with people across the town and district on the outreach projects, which will celebrate our heritage and create a legacy for the future.”

Further information

Laura Bates, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6027 or lbates@hlf.org.uk.