County Durham’s Beamish Museum expansion supported by six-figure donation

Beamish Museum has received £225k from the Friends of Beamish, taking the Friends’ total donations to an “amazing” £2.1m.

The latest donation, which is from the Friends of Beamish and Business Friends of Beamish, will go towards the Remaking Beamish project, which is currently underway and includes a 1950s Town and Farm, and expansion of the Georgian Landscape.

The Friends have now donated more than £2.1m to Beamish since the group was established in 1968, and have supported a range of projects at the museum including Hetton Band Hall, St Helen’s Church and Davy’s fish and chip shop tiles.

Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish Museum’s chief executive, commented: “We are incredibly grateful to the Friends of Beamish members for their amazing support for the museum.

“To have donated more than £2.1m to the museum over the past 55 years, as well as the time given by Friends’ volunteers, is truly remarkable and we are extremely thankful; Beamish wouldn’t be where it is today without them.

“Their latest donation will go towards the completion of our Remaking Beamish project, the biggest development in the museum’s history.

“We thank everyone who has joined the Friends of Beamish and Business Friends of Beamish. Not only does the membership offer a range of great benefits, by joining you are supporting the museum’s work in preserving our region’s heritage for future generations. A huge thank you!”

Among the other projects and activities supported by the Friends are the Northern General Transport Bus Depot, the purchasing of vehicles and objects, and funding restoration work. The Friends help the museum in a range of ways, and some members volunteer their time, including workshop projects and wearing costumes in exhibits and at events.

Ian Bean, projects director of the Friends of Beamish, added: “There is a saying that to give is better than to receive. This is undoubtedly true, especially when the gift is being given to a very worthy cause you believe in passionately.

“Thanks to the generosity and constant, continued support of the Friends of Beamish membership, we have been able to donate a further £225k to assist with the Remaking Beamish project. It should be with a sense of pride that Friends view the progress being made, safe in the knowledge that their contribution has made a positive difference.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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