Nidderdale Museum plans Bank Holiday reopening
by
Aug 20, 2020
Nidderdale Museum

Nidderdale Museum is planning to reopen over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Reopening of the award-winning museum, which is housed in the Old Workhouse in King Street Pateley Bridge, has been delayed because many of its volunteers remained in self-isolation when the government gave permission for heritage attractions to open in early July.

Now, however, the museum reports that after a good response to its plea for more volunteer stewards, work carried out to make the building COVID secure and some financial help from Museum Development Yorkshire, the reopening is scheduled for 1.30pm on Saturday, August 29.

Photograph of plaque on wall at Nidderdale Museum

The museum is located in The Old Workhouse

Beyond then, the visitor attraction – a past winner of the National Heritage Museum of The Year  Award – plans to continue to open every Saturday and Sunday throughout the autumn and winter, depending on government restrictions on social distancing and availability of stewards.


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Last month, Sue Welch, chair of Nidderdale Museum, told the Stray Ferret about the practical issues faced by organisations that are heavily reliant upon volunteers to remain open. She said:

“There are various other museums in Yorkshire that are saying they are likely to have the same problems because many of their volunteers are over 70. I am afraid it is a known issue. People that volunteer are often older people and particularly museum volunteers.”

Visitors will be required to wear face coverings, a one-way system will be in place, and only one group of visitors will be allowed in each of the museum’s 10 rooms at any one time, ensuring contact with others will be minimal.  All groups will be asked to sign in with their contact details.

Nidderdale Museum has a collection of exhibits, illustrating different aspects of life and work in Nidderdale through the ages.