Museum closure anniversary marked with demonstration

People gathered to show their support for Buxton Museum

More than 200 people gathered in Buxton on Saturday to mark a year since a museum closed in the town.

Dry rot was found at Buxton Museum in June 2023 and more than 5,000 people have signed a petition calling for it to be saved from permanent closure.

Derbyshire County Council has said it is looking for a new permanent venue for the museum and somewhere in the short-term for exhibits to be displayed.

Campaign group We are Buxton - made up of eight local organisations - has called for the authority to find a solution.

Jean Ball helped to organise the demonstration

Jean Ball, from the group, said: “We organised this opportunity for local people in response to a groundswell from our community looking to show how much they care.

"We are amazed and impressed at the scale of the passion demonstrated by the number of people who turned out. There was a lovely atmosphere."

The museum was established in 1893 in the Town Hall, before moving to Peak Buildings in Terrace Road in 1928.

But last year dry rot was found in structural timbers and floor joists, making parts of the building potentially unsafe.

The museum also features an art gallery

Among those at the demonstration was Ros Westwood, who worked at Buxton Museum for 25 years before her retirement.

She said: “I come here standing on the shoulders of 10 previous curators who have worked tirelessly for the town to have - at the people’s request - this museum.

"It was very much the people who asked for it and it is the people’s collection.”

The county Council said it was determined exhibits should be displayed locally

A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said the authority would continue to talk to local groups.

They said: “We fully appreciate that the museum and art gallery in Buxton is held in very high regard by residents, businesses and visitors to the area.

"That passion was clearly displayed at the gathering outside the museum this weekend.

"As a council, we share that passion and are continuing to explore every avenue to secure a long-term solution."

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