Now the Carshalton & District History & Archaeology Society are launching an appeal for all those interested in ensuring that Honeywood Museum continues to play the fullest part in the day to day life of Carshalton and the London Borough of Sutton to write to councillors asking them to review their proposals.
"A few days ago the Friends of Honeywood and Whitehall and the libraries were invited to a briefing about a staff restructuring which is being planned for the service," said John Phillips of the archaeological society
"Removing the specialist house staff must have a major impact on the public service. Inexperienced non-specialist who will not have the knowledge, experience and contacts to:
• Care to the collections in the building
• Run a school’s programme
• Organise significant events and exhibitions
• Maintain an effective relationship with the friends to maximise the use and value of volunteers.
"We don’t understand how the proposals will save any money as, if the building is to be kept open, extra staff will have to be employed to make up the curators and the assistant’s time. There is talk of using volunteers but this will only save money if they open the house without any members of staff and it is not clear that they will be willing to do this. We suspect that the proposals will result in a large reduction in opening hours.
"Honeywood reopened in 2011 after a major refurbishment largely supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Since then the house has been very successful with many events and activities and a large growth in visitor numbers. Whitehall is currently closed for an HLF funded refurbishment.
"The proposed changes will have a major negative impact on the Honeywood and the Archives and may adversely affect Whitehall."
If you object to these changes email or write to the Cllr Ruth Leader of the Council:
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Ruth Dombey, [email protected]
The Deputy Leader, Cllr Simon Wales, [email protected]
Cllr Jill Whitehead, [email protected]
Cllr Steve Penneck, [email protected]
Cllr Hamish Pollock, [email protected]
Cllr Chris Williams, [email protected]
Letters to the Councillors can be sent to Civic Offices, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA