Volunteers achieve coveted recognition for museums

The Museum of North Craven Life, which is based in The Folly in Settle, and the Upper Wharfedale Folk Museum in Grassington have worked hard over the past year to gain the coveted museum accreditation standard.

Both museums are run by volunteers who have drawn on the expertise and guidance available from staff at Craven District Council's Craven Museum & Gallery to help them gain the accreditation.

Coun Ken Hart, Craven Council's lead member for culture, said: "Both museums have worked really hard to gain this accreditation which is truly well deserved. I am only too pleased that staff at the council's Craven Museum & Gallery were able to share their expertise and give guidance to the museums on how to become accredited."

Awarded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the museum accreditation scheme sets national agreed standards for all museums in the UK.

Andrew Motion, chair of MLA, said: "Being awarded accreditation is an impressive achievement. It recognises the high standard and service that both museums provide and acknowledges the hard work of staff."

The award proves that the museums measure up, meeting the guidelines on how they are run, how they look after their collections and the services that they provide for visitors.

Anne Read, honorary curator for the Museum of North Craven Life, The Folly, said: "This accreditation award coincides with our tenth season at the Folly, so it's a double celebration for us. I would like to pass on special thanks to Andrew Mackay and Anna Bowman of the Craven Museum & Galley in Skipton for the immense encouragement, support, and practical help they gave us throughout the application process."

Accreditation holds benefits for the museums, particularly in their relationships with funding organisations.

Derek Williamson, chairman of the Upper Wharfedale Museum Society, said: "A number of committee members and volunteers have contributed greatly to attaining accreditation and we now look forward to maintaining our standards and sharing the benefits which accreditation can bring."