Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith paid a visit to Amberley Museum on Monday morning (6th July) to see how they are preparing to re-open after being closed for three months.
The MP welcomes the Government’s announcement of a massive £1.57 billion rescue package for culture, arts and heritage. The world-leading package of support for the cultural and creative sectors is the culmination of weeks of work between Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Her Majesty’s Treasury.
Many of Britain’s cultural and heritage institutions have already received unprecedented financial assistance to see them through the pandemic including loans, business rate holidays and participation in the coronavirus job retention scheme. Funding to restart paused projects will also help support employment, including freelancers working in these sectors.
Andrew met Valerie Mills, Director of Amberley Museum, an important museum in the heart of the South Downs National Park, dedicated to preserving the industrial heritage of the South East. With 40 exhibits set over 36 acres displays visitors can learn more about 150 years of the South’s working past in what was once a busy chalk quarry and lime works.
Valerie said: “We were delighted to welcome Andrew to our museum and to show him just why it is so important to preserve the South Downs heritage and history. We are grateful for the help already received but we, and many museums like us, need a real safety-net to ensure we can keep going throughout this crisis so that we can still be here for schools and visitors when this is all over.”
Andrew Griffith said: “I am grateful to Valerie, Richard and Graham for showing me around their wonderful museum site which is full of fascinating artefacts from the South Downs rich history. I welcome the unprecedented additional support announced by the Government for the arts, theatres and museums this week as we all benefit from the tourism and hospitality that they support.”