Cheshire Independent Issue 197

MACCLESFIELD • TYTHERINGTON • BOLLINGTON ALDERLEY EDGE • PRESTBURY • WILMSLOW • HANDFORTH • POYNTON • BRAMHALL • DISLEY • ALSAGER • BIDDULPH • CONGLETON • SANDBACH ISSUE 197 FREE CHESHIRE FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @CheshireIndy www.independentnewspapers.co.uk Looking for Flooring Inspiration? Let us help you find the perfect flooring for your home. With great advice, home styling, measure and planning service, plus quality fitting of top brands and designs, youwill be glad you did . Visit our showroom: Tuesday to Saturday or call 01260 224445 for a private appointment Thornycroft Farm, Pexhill Road, Siddington, Cheshire SK11 9JN ● Modern, Traditional & Luxury Carpets ● Natural Wood Flooring ● Laminate Flooring ● Stair Runners & Rods ● Luxury Vinyl Tiles ● Bespoke Rugs & Runners STEPS have been taken to preserve the future of a Macclesfield museum’s important collection for future generations. The green light has been given for West Park Muse- um’s treasures to be trans- ferred to the Silk Museum and Macclesfield Town Hall, where they will be dis- played permanently. The move is taking place because of the deterioration of the West Park building, which is no longer suitable to house its collections. Cheshire East Council, which owns the building, has devised the transfer plan. It does not operate a museum service. However, in a state- ment it said it “has a duty to safeguard the collection and provide positive long-term plans for its preservation”. Michael Gorman, who chairs its economy and growth committee, said: “As soon as it was clear that we could no longer store this impor- tant collection at West Park Museum, the urgent need was to safely preserve it elsewhere. “This collection is very important, especially to res- idents of Macclesfield and its nearby towns and villages, so securing its long-term future locally is a priority. “The entire collection has already been relocated to the Silk Museum – the Egyptol- ogy collection as an example is already being well received by visitors there. “With West Park Museum sadly no longer fit for purpose, we had to make a decision on how the remaining items that were housed there were looked after.” John Varney, who chairs the Silk Heritage Trust, said: “The Silk Heritage Trust is committed to protecting and A NEW CHAPTER FOR MUSEUM TREASURES Collections are saved for future generations On display: Part of the collection will now be moved to the Silk Museum celebrating the remarkable collections created by Mar- ianne Brocklehurst, Mary Booth and others. “Their story is important in showing how the wealth made from the silk industry helped bring to the town important Ancient Egyptian artefacts and fine art paintings.” In its statement Cheshire East said: “The council is still considering options regarding the future use of West Park Museum. It is envisaged that any change of use of the building will be subject to planning permission.” ! Continued on page two