BEAMINSTER Museum's expansion project is one step closer to the finished article as all building work on the site has been completed.

Work began in August 2020 to build a two-storey extension at the rear of the building after the museum received a £99,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The work will enable the museum to increase its size, activities and the range of people and groups who will be able to use the museum.

Dr Murray Rose, chairman of the museum's trustees, said: “The actual building phase of our expansion project, part-funded by the National Lottery, is now completed, with our contractors having left in early February.

"It went very well and ran to time despite the pandemic causing an additional dimension which hadn’t been anticipated before we started. A substantial legacy along with other grants and personal donations are also gratefully acknowledged.”

The museum's trustees hope that once the project is complete, it will become an influence in the lives of a wide range of people from primary age school children to active adults who wish to learn more of their local history.

Visitors will have access to artefacts relating to many aspects of our local past, from ancient fossils right through to more recent history that may not even be considered as 'heritage' yet, along with hundreds of associated photographs and stories.

Dr Rose added: “We now move on to finishing the electrics and heating in the new extension, and joiners installing a staircase and gallery doors. This leaves the painting and some door hanging to be completed by ourselves, before carpets are finally laid.

"These tasks can be done alongside cleaning, painting, and re-instating displays in the 'old' building. As soon as Covid restrictions are eased, volunteers are looking forward to being allowed back into the building to start on their work.”

Volunteers will also help further develop involvement with the Beaminster Festival and community events, run memory loss cafes, research local history and teach digital and research skills.

An opening date is not yet available due to the uncertainty regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the current lockdown. Forr the latest information www.beaminstermuseum.co.uk