On 17^th March, Sue MacGregor, Chairman of the Judges announced the four museums short listed for the £100,000 Prize.

They are The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Bristol, The Lightbox Gallery and Museum, Woking, The Shetland Museum and Archives Lerwick and The Wellcome Collection in London. Topsham Museum is honoured to have been long-listed in such company and wish them good luck in the final.

The effect on Topsham Museum has been fantastic – visitor numbers are breaking all records, attracting new and old visitors from near and far and it is expected that this will continue throughout the 2008 season.

Our thanks to all those who wrote or emailed their support and to all the volunteers whose efforts have taken the Museum on to a new level.

Topsham Museum is now open for its 2008 season, and has attracted over 500 visitors in the first four days.

Its new River Gallery and Sail Loft extension was officially opened on March 26th by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Charles Dancer CBE.  The ceremony was also attended by Hugo Swire, MP for East Devon, and Councillor Hazel Slack, Exeter's Lord Mayor.

Topsham Museum's March 2008 newsletter is now available online here (PDF format).

This issue contains the latest news of the Museum's Art Fund Prize nomination, obituaries of Caroline Oboussier and Bob Andrew, an article by Carol McFadzean on her Honiton lace work, and a schedule of forthcoming events.

As the Trustees are about to announce that the Museum will re-open on Wednesday 19th March 2008, they have been advised that the Museum has been included in "a long list" of ten museums and galleries under consideration for the Art Fund Prize 2008.

Topsham is the only volunteeer-operated museum on the list, which includes a number of well-known and prestigious national venues. Described as "An excellent example of a high quality, professional project achieved by a vountary museum", Topsham has been particularly commended for its River Gallery Project.

The seven judges, chaired by Sue MacGregor CBE, will be visiting the Museum on Monday 17th March. The Prize, formerly known as the Calouste Gulbenkian Prize, amounts to £100,000 for the winning museum or gallery.

For more details, visit www.theartfundprize.org.uk

 

Work has been completed and the Cygnet and Skiff have been installed in the Heritage Lottery funded River Gallery. A new lift has also been installed to assist access to the Sail Loft, which has also had a complete refit and the new and exciting displays offer an insight into life in Topsham through the ages. In particular, the Town model of Topsham in 1900 has been lowered and made more visible.

The 17th and 18th Century rooms in the Main House remain open and it is planned to improve the displays through the closed season. On display are the 17th and 18th Century Dining Room, Parlour and Holman Room, and the 1930s kitchen. A further room includes memorabilia of Vivien Leigh, including the nightdress she wore in 'Gone with the Wind'.

One of the star attractions of the Museum will still be available - the Cream Teas - 2.30-4.30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Shop has been modernised and now carries a wide range of cards and memorabilia.

The Riverside Garden is now open permanently for those moments of quiet reflection.