Ely Museum have been announced as the regional winner for the East of England at the Marsh Awards.
The award recognises volunteers who work directly with museum visitors, and recognises their important contribution to public learning and engagement.
Hosted by the British Museum and the Marsh Christian Trust, the awards celebrate the work and achievements of museum volunteers across the country.
Sally Austin, museum education officer said, “It would be totally impossible to run these workshops without the team of learning volunteers. “It is their expertise, huge time commitment and energy which enables the museum to enhance our visitors learning and enjoyment in such a positive and exciting way.”
Joanna Mackle, deputy director of the British Museum said: “Museums across the UK rely on the contribution of volunteers to ensure they reach and inspire as many people as possible.
“The Marsh Awards recognise the commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers in museums and we are very grateful to the Marsh Christian Trust for acknowledging this work.”
The judges, including staff and volunteers of the Marsh Trust, and the British Museum, were particularly impressed with both the number and quality of applications this year, so the museum is especially pleased to win this award, they added.
The volunteers were commended for their excellent work on the Littleport Riots of 1816 school workshop, which commemorates this event of local and national importance, and the Feast of Fenland school workshop, which celebrates the important, precious farmland of the Fens.
The Marsh awards programme is managed in association with key partners including the Zoological Society of London, English Heritage, Barnardo’s, the Refugee Council and the British Museum.
• Ely Museum is on the corner of Market Street and Lynn Road only 250 metres away from the Cathedral’s west door.
• It tells the history of the city and the surrounding area from prehistory to the twentieth century across two floors of permanent displays and a programme of changing temporary exhibitions.
• The museum is open Monday, Wednesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm and on Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. Entry is £4.50 for adults and £4.00 for concessions, £1 for children and under 5s are free. Tickets are valid for a year.
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