The Vale and Downland Museum in Wantage is set to launch a major new fundraising campaign during its annual museum fête on Saturday, 12 July, from 10.00am to 3.00pm. The event promises a lively day for all with free entry, live music, games, and a variety of stalls, with all proceeds going directly towards supporting the museum.
Looking back on its roots, the museum is celebrating fifty years since its founding, a project originally spearheaded by Dr Dick Squires with the backing of the local community. The museum now hopes to draw on that same community spirit to secure its future for the next half-century.
The campaign will include a new 100 Club offering monthly £50 prize draws for a £5 monthly entry fee, a patron’s scheme, and new sponsorship opportunities. These initiatives aim to generate regular support for the museum’s daily operations, including the development of exhibitions, object preservation, and community activities.
Housed in a 17th-century listed building, the Vale & Downland Museum is free to enter and depends heavily on donations. It is currently facing increasing financial pressures due to rising utility and staffing costs. As a registered charity and nationally recognised community hub, the museum welcomes over 55,000 visitors annually to its exhibitions, shop, coffee shop, and varied events programme.
Fifty years after Dr Dick Squires proposed converting the old Doctor’s Surgery on Church Street into a museum, the institution now stands as a central part of the Wantage community. But today, it faces an uncertain future.
“Our staffing costs and utility bills have grown considerably in the last year with the rising cost of living, and our traditional means of generating income have not kept up with these increases,” the museum team said. “We are actively fundraising in a number of different ways, but it is time to turn back to our local community to ask for support to help us.”
“We are launching the fifty-year appeal to help see the museum through another fifty years, preserving the historic building and everything it keeps safe,” they added. “This new campaign will see a range of ways that local people and businesses can help keep the museum thriving for another fifty years.”
The idea for a museum in Wantage began in 1958 when the Urban District Council appealed for historical items to build a town collection. The response led to temporary displays in the Civic Hall and the Victoria Cross Gallery. By the late 1960s, Dr Squires had become determined that Wantage needed a space to properly showcase its rich history, leading to the eventual opening of the current museum site.
Now, the museum runs a vibrant programme that caters to all ages. From toddler sessions with live music and family-friendly holiday activities, to school visits and adult talks, the museum has grown into a space that reflects the wider Vale and Downland area. Volunteers are also an essential part of its success, contributing time, skills, and passion.
Museum Manager Lisa Gale said, “We love welcoming visitors, old and new, to the museum. Wantage is really lucky to have this special museum, which from the front hides the treasures it has in store. We really need the support of the local community now to help ensure that people can keep using the museum for years to come.”
