BARNSLEY East MP Stephanie Peacock has paid tribute to volunteers who help keep open museums such as the Maurice Dobson Museum in Darfield and Elsecar Heritage Centre.
Speaking at a debate in Westminster, Stephanie said cuts to museum would have a knock-on effect on their services, and it’s thanks to volunteers that such places are kept open.
She asked Stirling MP Stephen Kerr, who secured the debate: “On the issue of local authority-funded museums, does he agree that it is concerning that 39 per cent of them have seen funding cut and 85 per cent have cut their hours? Obviously, that will have a knock-on effect on the wonderful services they provide, such as those provided by the Elsecar Heritage Centre in my constituency in Barnsley.
“Does he agree that we should pay a huge tribute to the volunteers who keep local museums running, such as the Maurice Dobson Museum and Heritage Centre down the road from where I live, in Darfield? It is a fantastic local resource, and it is thanks to volunteers that it keeps going.”
Mr Kerr said it was time for the House to consider the impact that local museums have on the country and local communities.
But he said volunteers struggle because more and more expectations are put on them in regulatory terms; they are required to register with the charity regulator, health and safety and data protection.
“All that adds to the burden on volunteer groups and disproportionately affects independent volunteer museums that have to do all that while raising the money to keep the lights on. Forms and applications are the bane of all charitable organisations’ lives, and we have a duty to keep those things as minimal as we can while still protecting the public.”
Kevin Brennan, shadow minister for culture, said he had been to country homes and seaside fishing museums, and later this month would be visiting Stephanie’s constituency to see some of the work taking place there.
