We're still collecting donations
On the 11th September 2024 we'd raised £3,030 with 48 supporters in 56 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Preserving Lakeland's Industrial Heritage
by Dickon Chaplin-Brice in Threlkeld, England, United Kingdom
Total raised £3,140
raised so far53
supportersWe are putting up our new Museum building. Can you help us raise the roof?
by Dickon Chaplin-Brice in Threlkeld, England, United Kingdom
Who are we?
The Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum is located within the Lake District National Park (now designated a World Heritage Site). It opened in 1995 to inform visitors of mining and quarrying industrial past of the area at a time when little information about this subject was accessible. This is an aspect of Lake District history overlooked by many.
The Museum is situated in a granite quarry which operated commercially from 1862 to 1982. This provides a natural setting and context for the subject of mining and quarrying.
Since 1991 we have restored buildings and built a narrow gauge railway. The railway, which opened to the public in 2010, runs for half a mile using steam and diesel locomotives. This is currently being extended so it will meet up with the new Museum building.
What is our project?
The current museum building was the former canteen and laboratory for the quarry site. Whilst it has served us well, this building has limitations including a flat roof (in the Lake District, honestly!), poor levels of insulation, a lack of storage space and no accessible toilet facilities.
Design work commenced in 2014 with the aim of creating a building with improved facilities. This not only provides benefits for visitors but for staff and volunteers too. More space means our exhibits can be better displayed, and better internal conditions mean that our collection will not deteriorate.
A new building at a location closer to the site entrance will open up new opportunities for the Museum. The narrow gauge railway is being extended so it will meet up with this exciting development.
The building is a conventional steel frame structure and has been designed to blend in with the surroundings. One end will have café and the mezzanine upstairs will be dedicated for storage and archive purposes.
Planning consent for the new museum building and the extended railway was granted in 2017. Works on excavating the site of the building and continuing the railway extension began soon after.
The steel work for the building arrived on site just before the COVID-19 Pandemic hit and all work on the project stopped. Following a strong recovery from the Pandemic, the Museum team have been focussed on finding funding for the building works.
To make best use of time and resources, the work has been split into three phases.
Phase 1
To carry out building works so that we have a weather tight shell.
This work includes:
- Site excavations
- Foundations
- Steel erection
- Roofing
- Blockwork
- Doors and windows
Phase 2
This is the fit out of the new building to turn it from a shell into a useable building.
This work includes:
- Heating and lighting systems
- Toilets
- Kitchen
- Café space
Phase 3
This covers the installation of new displays and fresh interpretation
How much are we looking to raise?
We have estimated the total cost of the project to be £450,000
Funding so far...
The Museum has been awarded funding from:
- UK - SPF 'levelling up' fund - £120,000
- Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust - £50,000
Applications are being prepared to other funders
Can you help us?
We are looking to raise an initial £30,000 towards the construction cost our new building. This will be used as 'match funding' for other funders.
The rewards available cover a wide range of budgets, with some experiences available for the first time.
They make a perfect present or just a nice treat!
Your donation will secure the future of the Museum for the next generation.
Thank you for your support!
Rewards
This project offered rewards
£75 or more
A footplate ride on 'Sir Tom'
Have you ever wanted to travel up the front with the engine driver? Well now's your chance. For £75 you get a full round trip on the footplate of 'Sir Tom' along with everything from the £50 reward. Please note that participants must be 16 or over and able to climb on and off the locomotive.
£10 or more
Wall of fame
Your name will be recorded on our supporters board which will be displayed in the new museum building. You will also get an e-certificate and thank you email from one of our team.
£25 or more
Greetings!
You will receive a pack of 5 greetings cards (left blank inside), a certificate and thank you note which will be posted to you. Your name will be recorded on our supporters board which will be displayed in the new museum building.
£35 or more
A diesel cab ride
This is the chance to ride in the cab of our Hunslet diesel on a round trip of our railway. You will also receive everything from the £25 reward. Please note that participants must be 16 or over and able to climb on and off the locomotive.
£50 or more
A fine art print.
For £50 you will receive a 10 x 12 fine art print of 'Sir Tom' produced specially for the Museum, plus everything in the £25 reward. The print comes in a mount ready for framing.
£100 or more
Gift voucher to the Museum for two
This reward is a gift voucher for two adults to visit the Museum. This includes travel on the railway and a tour of our workshop. Plus you'll get everything from the £50 reward.
£125 or more
A day out for the family
You will receive a voucher for two adults and two children for the Museum. It covers the museum, mineral panning and all day travel on the railway. Plus you will get everything from the £50 reward.
£175 or more
Driver experience taster session
Your chance to have a go at driving 'Sir Tom'. A round trip on the engine to get a feel of the railway followed by two trips driving! You'll also receive everything from the £50 reward. Please note that participants must be aged 18 or over. Contact the Museum for dates that the experience is available. Booking is on a 'first come, first serve' basis. The experience lasts approximately 50 minutes.
£500 or more
Half day driver experience (AM session)
A half day footplate experience on 'Sir Tom' lasting 3 1/2 hours. You will learn how to drive and fire the engine on our challenging railway. You will also receive everything from the £50 reward plus a 'Sir Tom' mug. Please note that participants must be aged 18 or over.
Please contact the Museum for dates that the experience is available.
Booking is on a 'first come, first serve' basis.
£500 or more
Half day driver experience (PM session)
A half day footplate experience on 'Sir Tom' lasting 3 1/2 hours. You will learn how to drive and fire the engine on our challenging railway. You will also receive everything from the £50 reward plus a 'Sir Tom' mug. Please note that participants must be aged 18 or over. Please contact the Museum for dates that the experience is available. Booking is on a 'first come, first serve' basis.
£1,000 or more
Chuffing marvelous!
A full day footplate experience on 'Sir Tom' lasting 8 hours. You spend the whole day on the engine from lighting the fire first thing to putting it away at the end of the day. You will learn how to drive and fire the engine on our challenging railway. You'll also receive everything from the £50 reward plus a 'Sir Tom' mug. Please note that participants must be aged 18 or over. Please contact the Museum for dates that the experience is available.