Flintham Museum welcomes vital upgrades to outdoor space funded by REPF
Last updated: 7/10/2024
A new outdoor space at Flintham Museum funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) is now open and being used by the local community for activities, workshops and events.
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) allocated £8,000 of REPF funding to Flintham Society’s project, which has seen an improved outdoor space become wheelchair accessible, host more group activities, and help to attract more visitors to the museum.
Group events have included a plant-swap event for National Gardening Week, a book group, crochet group, craft sessions and more.
The space has also enabled Flintham Community Shop volunteers to offer refreshments and products to local residents outside of museum hours.
The repurposed outdoor area is now a wheelchair and pushchair friendly space and features a new retractable roof, planters made by Screveton Men in Sheds group, benches, tables and a work bench.
The area will also enable the Flintham Society to expand their involvement with people who have dementia and their carers, which has been a growing part of their work since 2019.
Dementia patients, care home staff and Rushcliffe social prescribers are welcomed to the space where they have been able to enjoy hot drinks and cakes outside during the summer.
RBC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth Cllr Abby Brennan visited volunteers last month at a willow-weaving workshop to see how the new space is benefitting the local community.
At the workshop, volunteers made dragonflies and bees from willow to put along the museum pond to form a visual barrier along its steep edge.
Cllr Abby Brennan said: “We’re pleased to support this vital project which has seen upgrades to the outdoor area at Flintham Museum, including wheelchair and pushchair accessible improvements for all visitors to use and enjoy.
“It’s great to see the outdoor space has already hosted a number of events and activities which are helping to increase visitor numbers and visitor spending at the museum.
“As well as providing a physical infrastructure, the REPF grant has helped the Flintham Society to re-engage with local residents and rekindle community spirit.
“The project is a great example of a community-enhancing initiative and how REPF is helping to improve the quality of life for residents in rural areas.”
Flintham Museum Volunteer Curator Susan Clayton added: “Receiving funding from RBC’s REPF allocation to improve the area at the back of the museum was really appreciated.
“We have always struggled to serve refreshments in the museum because of lack of an appropriate indoor space so it will be great to offer a comfortable, outdoor space for our visitors to chat about their visit over cups of tea.”
