Heritage plea: Give Knaresborough a new museum to house its famous Roman hoard and a lot more

There is so much history in Knaresborough which isn't kept in Knaresborough, in this case, the Knaresborough Roman hoard is the largest bronze vessel hoard ever found in Britain.

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Knaresborough Museum Association (KMA) pressed the start button on a new Crowdfunder appeal online yesterday to raise £35,000 to create a new museum to celebrate Knaresborough’s rich history.

If successful, the project might even open up the possibility of bringing back some of the town's most precious historical artefacts from other museums, such as The Knaresborough Roman hoard, which is the largest and most amazing bronze vessel hoard ever found in Britain.

And end result of the project should be the perfect companion to the Court House Museum and Castle creating, in effect, a cultural quarter for Knaresborough.

The Crowdfunder launch has already won the blessing of Sir Graham Hall, who was the first chairman of Yorkshire Forward.

Sir Graham and Lady Hall are both very supportive of the Museum project and have generously donated £5,000 to kick start the Museum’s fundraising campaign.

Sir Graham said: “The Knaresborough Museum initiative is a tremendous example of a community based project and will undoubtedly make a significant difference for all the stakeholders in our wonderful town. I wholeheartedly support their project and wish them every success.”

Kathy Allday, chair of Knaresborough Museum Association, said: "There is so much amazing history in Knaresborough but where is it celebrated? We have a cramped Court House Museum that focuses on the history of the Court House and Castle but does not have the space to display content that does Knaresborough’s history justice.

"That is why we need a new Town Museum that tells the story of Knaresborough with education at its heart. Knaresborough Museum Association is a multi talented group of volunteers who want to work with Harrogate Borough Council's Museums Service to create a cultural quarter in Knaresborough."

Knaresborough Museum Association are negotiating the lease on the former Castle Girl's School to create a new Museum and Community education hub.

But the group needs the public's support to make this happen.

One way is to become a Knaresborough Museum supporter or people can donate to the appeal via Crowdfunder.

Kathy Allday said: "Would you like local children to learn about the history of their local area?

"When Harrogate was a hamlet, Knaresborough was an influential town with a thriving textile industry, royal residence, and ancient market and fair.

"The town’s archaeology and geology is of national importance.

"The Knaresborough Roman hoard is the largest and most amazing bronze vessel hoard ever found in Britain while over a thousand silver pennies dating from the reign of Edward II were found at the site of the former Trinitarian Priory.

"At the moment they are both in the Yorkshire Museum, but imagine if they were on display in an accredited Knaresborough Museum?

KMA’s marketing guru Rachel Auty has designed the Crowdfunder and come up with enticing rewards for potential donors who support the project.

To contribute to the appeal, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-us-make-a-new-museum-for-knaresborough

More information at www.knaresboroughtownmuseum.org

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