TANTALISING PROMISES of goods and services are flowing in to the appeal to Keep Bridport Museum Free.
A portrait by George Wright of Cleo Evans, Dorset County Council's visual arts development officer
Offers so far include portrait photography by George Wright, a £100 restaurant voucher, pottery and bread-making lessons, a guided walk along the Jurassic Coast, and a police security check.
Pledges will be auctioned at Bridport Arts Centre on March 12.
Bridport Museum curator Alive Martin said she had been overwhelmed by the generosity of local people and companies.
The museum needs to raise £2,000 so that people can continue to visit for free.
Entry fees were scrapped last year for the first time in the museum’s 77-year-history, and the result was a big rise in visitor numbers.
Ms Martin, who initiated the move, said: “The response has been fantastic, people have been absolutely brilliant.
“A lot of them understood straight away what a great cause this was and were very generous.
“We still need as many lots as possible to keep the museum free, so if anyone has anything they could donate, I’d love to hear from you.
“But, judging by what people have donated so far, I think that we have gone a long way to ensuring it will be a success.
“I think people have really understood the importance of scrapping the entrance charges, especially after last year’s doubling of visitors.
“It not only benefits tourists, who get a chance to see our rich local history, but it benefits people from Bridport as a whole because we never forget where we come from.”
Among the offers is the chance to have a portrait done by internationally-renowned photographer George Wright, who lives in Bridport and has work in the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Other lots include a pottery lesson from Miles Bell of Symondsbury Potters, a guided walk with Richard Edmonds, Earth Science Manger for the Jurassic Coast, and computer first aid sessions with expert Mark Beed.
There is also a flight for one over Dorset, a historical tour of Bridport, a personal guided tour of Palmers Brewery, bread-making lessons with Leakers Bakery and security checks of a home and business by the police.
Other highlights include membership of the popular Highlands End swimming pool in Eype, a treatment by Beauty and Beyond, and an annual pass to Mapperton House (voted The Nation’s Finest Manor House by Country Life).
Acclaimed chef Mark Hix has donated a £100 voucher to his Lyme Regis restaurant The Oyster and Fish House, while Dorset Life is offering a year’s subscription.
Denhay Farms has simply and kindly donated £300 to the appeal.
The full list of goods and services for auction will be published in a catalogue available soon.
For more information contact Alice Martin on 07956-674866 or Tony Bonnici on 07790-020579.
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