A MUSEUM in Barry has been renamed.
The Barry War Museum has been renamed the Barry War Museum and Heritage Centre.
The museum at its Barry Island Station site was renamed after Transport for Wales agreed to extend its lease until May next year as it prepares plans for the long-term development of the site.
It plans to continue its displays, visits, and events commemorating Barry’s wartime story and fight against fascism while extending its activities to celebrate the town's railway and docks heritage.
To mark the new era for the museum, Vale of Glamorgan MS Jane Hutt visited the site to make a special toast to its new future.
She said: “I would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to recognise and champion the wealth of history that is shared with all generations who already visit the Barry Island War Museum and Heritage Centre.
“This is wonderful news and I look forward to seeing the centre grow in the future.”
The move sees the organisation formally become a Community Interest Company, with the museum’s patron, John Buxton, becoming chairperson and a board of directors including Andy Green, Steve Griffiths, and Julian Hall.
For the past 11 years, the Barry War Museum has run special open days, school visits programme, and public lecturers have been hosted at the Museum that has welcomed visitors of all ages from all over the world.
Being volunteer-run, the museum has not required subsidy from public funds due to the patronage of entrepreneur John Buxton.
Mr Buxton added: "We have been a remarkably successful, resilient and popular museum, run economically with a team of dedicated volunteers, and appreciative of the generosity and support shown by TfW.
“We are looking to create an even greater transformation of the museum’s valuable work and significance for Barry in telling a story of its wartime experience and wider heritage.”
Further details about Barry War Museum and Heritage Centre, or if you are interested in helping out at Museum, email bawmsocialmedia@gmail.com or visit www.barrywarmuseum.co.uk
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