Funding will help Seaton Museum to reopen

Seaton Museum was unable to open throughout 2020 because of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

But Axe Valley Heritage Association, which runs the museum, is hoping to receive a Lottery grant which will help to reopen it doors again before the summer.

Writing in the association's February newsletter, the chairman, Roger Brookman, said they were beginning 2021 with "renewed hope".

Mr Brookman said: "Most of us will be glad to see the back of 2000, but 2021 did not look as though it was going to be much better.

"The saving grace is that there is light at the end of the tunnel, with many of us receiving the new protective injections, and those that are still waiting can feel assured that it is not very far away.

"Last year the museum was unable to open and all of the wonderful trips, outings and meetings were unable to go ahead.

"The museum itself was kept ticking over by our curator Ted Gosling who went in on a regular basis to sort out the many outstanding tasks and admin.

"The good news is that it looks although we may be getting a small Lottery grant to help with some of the needed updating in various areas, although much less than we hoped for."

Mr Brookman said the museum relied heavily in subscriptions and donations for survival and he appealed for members to renew their financial support for the coming year.

Mr Gosling, who is now 92-years-old and has held the position of curator since the museum was opened in 1986, appealed for more new and younger members to ensure that the museum did not die.

The February newsletter includes an interesting article on the 150th anniversary of Seaton Hole by county councillor Martin Shaw.

If you have a story from Seaton, Beer or Colyton contact Philip Evans on [email protected] or call 07791 951991