'Popular Northern museums must stay open'

The Director of the Science Museum has suggested that, if budget cuts continue, he may be faced with the very real possibility of having to close one or more of his museum's outside London as he will be unable to continue with the commitment to allowing free entry. While this is a useful public negotiating tactic to avoid his budget being cut, it has predictably caused a storm of protest. The following letter appeared in the Times of 15 June.

Sir, We are former directors of the national museums currently under threat of possible closure because of budget problems within the parent organisation - the Science Museum Group. we believe there are powerful reasons why the National Media Museum (Bradford), National Railway Museum (York and Shildon) and the Museum of Science and Industry (Manchester) must stay open.

First, all are success stories. They hold collections of genuine international significance, have expertise which is respected worldwide, and are immensely popular - with more than two million visitors a year.

Secondly, they are vital in their host cities, providing cultural, educational and economic benefit across the regions. All three are crucial components of their local and regional economies, attracting tourists and prestige, and supporting jobs.

Third, and most importantly, they are examples of an important egalitarian principle - that the benefits of tax revenue gathered nationally should be spread nationally. Everyone from Islington to Inverness and from Camden to Camborne pays taxes and it is morally and politically right that the benefits of that tax revenue should be spread as far as possible around the country. The BBC has demonstrated this by the excellent move of a large part of its operation from London to Salford, spreading more of its economic impact outside the M25. Surely, at least some of our national museums should operate on the same principle?

Although the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) describes the issue as merely an operational matter for the Science Museum Trustees, the Government cannot shirk its responsibility. Party manifestos spoke of the right of free access to our national heritage but it is an empty right if the museum concerned has closed. To insist on further deep budget cuts and to maintain a policy of free entry, even though free entry might be a good idea in principle, feels like an untenable position.

Moreover, the Secretary of State has responsibility for tourism. What organisation charged with enhancing our national income from tourists can regard the closure of one of the North of England's greater visitors attractions as a sensible way out of recession?

We urge the trustees of the Science Museum Group and DCMS to consider the track record and value of museums in the North of England and to ensure that a solution is found to enable them all to stay open.

Signed by Colin Ford, Patrick Greene, Colin Philpott, Andrew Scott

But for some lingering doubt about the level of tax paid by the residents of Camborne, well said!

Saying it as it is

Just occasionally we trip over someone saying just what we are feeling. This time it was Selina Scott who launched into the Heritage Lottery Fund at a reception in Yorkshire: What the Dickens! Selina Scott in novel row.

It was good to see such an articulate speaker highlighting the insulting and unhelpful adult-child mindset at the core of that organisation. Did anyone consider the heritage instead of whether the bid had been 'impressive' or not? 

Oh to have been a fly on the wall.

PS: we have been a bit quiet recently: not through lack of ideas, simply lack of time. More follows soon.