Wednesday, 02 March 2005

"Three chairs for the Almonry ..."

Michael Rowe, newly appointed manager of the TIC, based at the Almonry Heritage Centre

VISITORS to the Vale make a beeline for the beautiful and historical Almonry Heritage Centre, and enjoy the fascinating exhibits and the tourist information in their thousands.  But how many local people make full use of one of our area's gems?  We sent Simon Chatterley to take a closer look.

MICHAEL Rowe is the newly appointed Manager of the Tourist Information Centre based at the Almonry Heritage Centre in Evesham and it is his responsibility to oversee the successful operation of both the centre and the museum.

"The title which we put on our paper is that we are a 'heritage centre' but that doesn't mean that we are just dusty antiques - and I am not referring to the staff! The centre presents Evesham old and new, including the present day-to-day story of what is going on in Evesham life now. Here, you have the whole story of Evesham, from fossils and ancient artefacts, to what it happening in Badsey on Saturday", he explains.

There's a common misconception, which is very frustrating for Michael, that the centre is rather staid and remains the same month after month. The reality is altogether different. "It is a vibrant place", he agrees.  "We are either being asked a tourist information question or a museum question about something that someone has seen in the collection. There aren't many dull moments and it is about as unfusty an atmosphere as it could be".

The museum is a joint venture between the Vale of Evesham Historical Society and Evesham Town Council. In collaboration, the two parties develop new exhibits, maintain existing ones and constantly develop the museum for the paying public. Along side that, down in the front office, the tourist information centre for Evesham and the Vale answers queries about events, accommodation and tourist destinations.

"We have in excess of 40,000 people coming here each year", Michael explained. "This is particularly why I would like to establish ourselves as a community information source, so that all of the people coming through the door can be furnished with the latest local information, which will enhance their experience of their visit".

This year, just under 7,000 paying people visited the museum and that figure does not include the large number of children who come on school visits. The centre received about 6,000 phone calls and a little under 2,000 postal enquiries. Close on 5,000 questions were asked, many about accommodation, and the centre plays a major role in promoting local businesses.

"I do feel that the local community is not using us to the extent it could be", Michael says. "We provide information for both local people and visitors to the Vale, including other Tourist Information Offices. There is an events guide that covers the major events, and some of the smaller events, but I am not convinced that we know about all of the countless other shows, fetes and concerts. Those are the ones that we would like to know about".

The Evesham Market Town Partnership has just launched a website that will enable people to advertise local events for free at www.eveshamevents.co.uk. Events can be submitted on-line, although they have to be verified, or by calling in at the Almonry when they can be added instantly to the page. 

But this is only half the story - what about the museum itself?  Gerald Heath, Chairman of the Vale of Evesham Historical Society, was also on hand to talk more specifically about the work of the society.

"The Vale of Evesham Historical Society was started in 1952, although it was not classed as a historical society then, it was something like the history and archaeological society", Gerald explains.  "Eventually it changed to the Vale of Evesham Historical Society and they were the instigators of the purchase of the Almonry, along with the town council. It was gradually turned into a museum, albeit in a very small way, and over the last 50 years we have developed it to its current size".

The museum has far too many exhibits to mention and the only way to fully appreciation the vast diversity of exhibits and artefacts is to visit. Even of you have visited previously, the constant development of exhibits and programme of refurbishment means that there is always something new and interesting to look at.

Among the many rooms you can visit is the Archaeology room, with its Anglo Saxon material and Roman artefacts and the Lecture room, dedicated to society carpenter Raymond Shaw. The Abbey room has excellent exhibits from the old abbey, there are numerous corridors packed full of interesting local history and then there is the Civic room, the Simon De Montfort room, the Victorian Boudoir and the Gun Room - to name but a handful.

"We would obviously like to encourage more people to visit the museum," Gerald said. "As Michael said, it is for the people of the Vale as well as people visiting the town. It is about the Vale, both past and present, and the more people we can get to visit the museum, the better".

Words and photography by SIMON CHATTERLEY

The Almonry Heritage Centre, with the floral clock undergoing renovation


The Almonry's "Civic Room"


Display in the Almonry's Undercroft

"Mr Farmer" relaxes in the Victorian Kitchen

The well-tended gardens at the rear of the Almonry