Although the short-term outlook for the Vale and Downland Museum (V&D) on Church Street, Wantage is stable, its manager emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts toward “financial sustainability” in the face of rising costs.
The museum, a popular community hub, welcomes over 55,000 visitors annually, and its significance as a cultural asset in Wantage cannot be overstated.
Earlier this summer, the museum released a statement highlighting “mounting costs due to increases in utility and wage bills.”
“Our traditional income streams have not kept pace with these increases,” the museum noted.
This plea for support comes amidst the impending closure of the Henley River and Rowing Museum.
Lisa Gale, who heads the Vale and Downland Museum and formerly worked at the Henley museum, found the closure news “a shock.” Although V&D faces fewer challenges, Ms. Gale acknowledges some hurdles, such as maintaining the charity’s listed building and rising utility bills along with minimum wage.
She is resolute in keeping the museum free to enter. “It’s really important to us,” Ms. Gale stated, “that it’s a community museum and it’s available for anybody to come in.”
The 40-year-old added, “What we really need is more regular income. If we know that we’ve got people donating regularly or annually, we can incorporate that into the museum’s plans, making it more financially sustainable.”
“If we can’t, we might have to look at changes to reduce costs,” Ms. Gale noted, possibly by reducing museum hours or charging for certain services.
This summer, the museum launched the Fundraising 50 appeal to commemorate its half-century mark. “We’ve initiated this campaign,” Ms. Gale said, aiming to preempt a “desperate situation.”
She added, “The campaign’s launch has been promising, especially with the 100 Club, which is an accessible level of support.”
The museum remains open for donations and has been hiring out its venue to boost revenue. “This museum is integral to the local community, and if it wasn’t here, I think people would miss it,” she said.
Wantage Town Council provides some regular support, though most funding from local authorities remains project-based. Ideally, a maintenance grant would be useful, but Ms. Gale acknowledges local government lacks the funds for such grants.
Wantage West county councillor Jenny Hannaby emphasizes the “vital” need to secure museums like the Vale and Downland. “The trustees are committed to keeping the museum open and free to all,” she stated.
District councillor for Wantage Charlton Patrick O’Leary praised the museum as an “absolute gem,” highlighting its dedicated volunteers and openness to donations.
Upcoming exhibitions at the museum include an exploration of the historic Wantage tramway and a partnership with the town’s literary festival. Those interested in supporting the museum can donate through its website, and it continues to seek volunteers for various roles.
To further engage with the local community, consider exploring our business directory for opportunities to create free business profiles or participate in local activities. For event submissions, visit the events submission page.
