West Wight Heritage Centre has been saved

The West Wight Heritage Centre has been saved – at least for another year. As previously reported, the centre, in Avenue Road, Freshwater, was facing a funding crisis and closure, after the lease of its headquarters was transferred by the parish council back to its landlord.

However, the group has now come to an arrangement with the landlord. Adrian Harris, the centre’s chairman, said: “With the landlord’s support we have signed a new lease which gives us another year, at least. Hopefully, it now allows us more time to do some fund-raising to raise the £8,000-£9,000 annually to run the centre. The landlord has really helped us and, thanks to him, we have been given some leeway.”

The centre has been running for nearly four years, and has improved access and visibility to a remarkable collection of pictures and documents, collated and catalogued by the Freshwater & Totland Archive Group, over the previous 10 years.

Anyone who can help with new premises, or make a donation, should contact Adrian on 07986 550017, or call into the centre.

The centre is hosting a film of the 1986 Freshwater & Totland Carnival, with an introductory talk and static display of memorabilia on Monday, at Freshwater Methodist Church, Brookside, at 7pm; £5 entry. Refreshments and raffle.