Museum wants unwanted gifts

From the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, first published Friday 14th Dec 2007.

THE Athelstan Museum in Malmesbury is after people's unwanted Christmas gifts this year.

Volunteers want to auction off any presents on eBay, to help secure the final £50,000 in its fundraising appeal.

The museum is moving into a new space in the town hall, once the refurbishment of the building is complete.

It has already secured a £199,000 lottery grant and has gathered about £38,000 through other fundraising activities.

Roger Griffin, chairman of the Friends of the Athelstan Museum, said it was just one idea they had come up with to help put a dent in the total needed.

"We were coming up with some ideas and one was to sell surplus Christmas presents on eBay," he said.

"If people do have any unwanted gifts, or duplicate ones, we would be very pleased to have them."

Museum volunteers have also been leafleting the town over the last week, as part of the final fundraising push.

"Securing the lottery money was superb," said Mr Griffin. "What we have to do now is get this last bit of cash and finalise exactly what we are going to do with the new site.

"We have got a few donation boxes dotted about and those are getting a steady trickle of funds."

The town hall is scheduled to reopen in May next year.

During the interim period, the museum is based at Athelstan's Attic, in Cross Hayes.

Mr Griffin said visitor numbers were still very impressive, despite moving temporarily away from the museum's home.

"The numbers are holding up quite well and we have found our new location is actually quite popular," he said.

"We had a successful evening during the late night shopping, with about 80 people coming in to have a look."

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