Marking 3 years since Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Closed

 Last Friday a group of us gathered outside Apsley House to mark 3 years since Swindon Museum and Art Gallery at Apsley House closed, as it turned out, for good.

At the time, in March 2020, Covid restrictions were being enforced which meant there were lockdowns imposed on the public. By the time everything was opening up, Swindon Boarked appealed against this, but the building has remained closed, been emptied of the art and museum artefacts, and now been sold to developer, Arthur Dallimer. Meanwhile there have been plans to reopen the museum and art gallery on the first floor of the Civic Offices, but the necessary work has not started yet.

We marked the occasion last Friday with balloons, cake and lots of chatting; we were lucky to have Will Glennon form BBC Points West on hand, here's his recording: 

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001kc43/points-west-evening-news-18032023

 and Aled Thomas from the Swindon Advertiser: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/23394896.art-lovers-celebrate-three-years-since-museum-closed/

and beforehand the event, Advertiser reporter, Daniel Wood, reminded people of previous gatherings:

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/23384851.campaign-group-mark-three-years-since-closure-swindon-museum/

Thank you so much to all those who came on the day, our Friends and supporters, it's not good enough that a town the size of Swindon has no museum and art gallery. Below I've added some of the photos taken on the day:

This was the beautiful cake made by one of the Friends' committee members

Prior to the event, \Jeremy Holt carrying the helium filled balloons

and above the croc on crutches after a foot operation, very pleased she could be there, also celebrating Red Nose Day

This is a good photo of the group holding posters 

Another view of people chatting

Above and below, me talking to the group, thanking them for coming and saying we were still waiting for a museum and art gallery

Our latest poster just says 'Free Our Croc'

The much loved gharial which resided on the top floor of Apsley House is known by anyone who visited the museum over the years; we have used it as a mascot since we knew the museum and art gallery were closing. The candles remind us of the 3 years since we last saw it in the museum. 

Meanwhile, Swindon fails yet again to receive funding to bolster it low cultural engagement:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-70-cultural-venues-museums-and-libraries-supported-with-60-million-boost

Did anyone apply for the funding streams?