ONE of my responsibilities as a councillor is being involved with local organisations.

One of these is the Tenbury & District Museum Society. Its name sounds pretentious but it’s a museum for everyone.

The contents are quite fascinating and, additionally, the museum is constantly involved with queries from all over the country and abroad. It also provides learning for local schools in the form of loan boxes.

The committee numbers just five volunteers together with a member representing Tenbury Town Council and myself which meets every two or three months. There are 19 active volunteers who help at opening times and about 27 members in all.

Its location is tucked out of sight in Cross Street in a single-roomed building known as Goff’s School which is owned by Malvern Hills District Council.

The building was the first free school in Tenbury.

Even local people could be forgiven for not knowing of its existence as the access is narrow between house terraces and quite a long way out of the town centre.

Development of the museum is a constant preoccupation. Discussions regarding its relocation including the possibility of moving to the Old Fire Station, owned by Tesco, have taken place.

Other locations are also under consideration.

However, the committee have conducted an internal enquiry into the viability of the existing museum site.

It is unfit for purpose, too small, in the wrong place and lacks essential facilities. Following a meeting in November action is now taking place and a feasibility study on the museum’s future is underway.

Part of the study will involve a questionnaire/survey helping to gauge the public’s views, which will be available in January. Professional assistance is being used to assess the potential market, what visitors look for, and its financial sustainability.

So, for those interested, grab a questionnaire from the library and give the committee your views. Even more importantly, why not attend the society’s annual meeting on January 19 at 7pm in the Pump Rooms?