An ever-changing place of delight (From Warrington Guardian)

An ever-changing place of delight

CURATOR Susan Pritchard has been looking back on a quarter of a century of change at Nantwich Museum.

Mrs Pritchard, who has worked as curator since 1981, says that the museum is bigger and better than ever after attracting a record 20,000 visitors last year.

The museum celebrates its 25th birthday this month, and a series of celebratory exhibitions dedicated to Nantwich life has been organised.

Mrs Pritchard said: "It is better now than it has ever been.

"It's a vibrant, ever-changing place, which delights people of all ages, both locals and visitors to the town.

"We believe we've created something extra special this year to mark this important milestone in the museum's history."

The birthday celebrations get underway on February 20 with a two-month long exhibition entitled Nantwich's Treasures, which will provide a fascinating insight into the gifts, bequests, loans and purchases that the museum hosts.

A second exhibition is being planned for the summer to highlight the work carried out by groups and classes which meet at the museum, and later in the year, the town's food and architecture will be featured.

The celebrations are testament to the campaigners who felt that a town so steeped in history deserved its own museum.

From its humble beginnings in 1980, when the museum had only one room, it has now grown to include four rooms and a spacious Millennium gallery.

As well as giving visitors the opportunity to learn all about Nantwich's history, it also provides a special education service for school children and specialised groups, giving them hands-on experience of the town's history.

Mrs Pritchard explained that the museum still appeals to not only the town's residents but also its visitors.

She said: "The people who come into the museum really like it because they want to learn about the town.

"When we arrange exhibitions, we try to cater for all sorts of different people so that we can get as many visitors as possible.

"A good example of that was last year when we had an exhibition about Nantwich pubs, and that brought in an entirely different audience.

"The museum is at the very heart of Nantwich, reflecting its past, and is also actively involved in its present and future."