A NEW research project to support Tenby Museum and Art Gallery has been made possible with funding by Arwain Sir Benfro. The Museum for the Community Project explores options for the future of the Museum which reaches its 140th anniversary in 2018 and helps to place it in the heart of Tenby.

Arwain Sir Benfro – the Local Action Group (LAG) for Pembrokeshire, administered by PLANED have provided funding of £8,500. This is funded through the LEADER programme, which is part of the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, Funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Michael Williams, Chair of Trustees, said: “As Tenby Museum and Art Gallery reaches its 140th anniversary and by obtaining this valuable grant funding it has been possible to conduct feasibility studies which have given the Trustees many ideas for ways to ensure a sustainable future for the museum. We want to increase visitor numbers and look forward to another 140 years and I hope the local residents will join the museum on its journey and continue their support.”

He continued: “The Trustees are keen to ensure that the museum will continue to offer all it can to the local community and visitors. With the aid of this funding, and with a generous contribution from the Friends of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery as well as volunteer help, we commissioned Headland Design to create and carry out visitor surveys in the area to find out what people want of their local museum.

“The Trustees have spoken to the local authorities and others who are interested in having a successful, vibrant museum in the town and serving the community. The reports are now being studied to explore ways in which to bring to the people of Tenby the tales and treasures which make Tenby what it is today and can be in the future. Looking to the future and with a view to creating more community spaces and extended display and family research areas, the grant enabled the Trustees to commission a local architect to develop some new ideas on what the layout of building could look like.”

Kate Lindley, LEADER Project Officer said: “This is just one example of the great projects being delivered in the county. PLANED, now celebrating its 30th year has helped communities in Pembrokeshire to access over £25m worth of funding during that time.

“Arwain Sir Benfro is currently supporting project ideas from local community groups, organisations and businesses. As the Local Action Group for Pembrokeshire, we bring together a mix of local community representatives, business, third sector, local authority partners.

“We designed and are now implementing the Local Development Strategy for Pembrokeshire. The group is supporting projects which test new ideas that benefit the county and contribute to a competitive, productive and sustainable local economy.”

LEADER is supporting all kinds of activity: mentoring, training, feasibility studies or pilot projects that test an innovative new idea. It can also be used for projects that improve local skills, make better use of a local resource or realise the economic potential of part of the locality leading to a ‘new’ outcome or product.