Museum display 'pale shadow' of past exhibits

Published on 28th August 2008 in Letters

Sir - I am chairman of the Barnes Wallis Memorial Trust and I and my fellow trustees wish to comment on the letter from Aimee Fleming of the Yorkshire Air Museum that you published in your edition of July 31.

She says that the Barnes Wallis Exhibition at the museum remains open. The Barnes Wallis Exhibition at the Yorkshire Air Museum, which contained items belonging to the BWMT, has been appreciated by tens of thousands of visitors to the Yorkshire Air Museum since the exhibition was opened in 1993. Unfortunately, that exhibition has been closed at the instigation of the Museum, against the wishes of the Trust. What is on show at present is a pale shadow of what had been there for 15 years.

Mrs Fleming also stated that the BWMT has been unable to comply with statutory registered museum requirements. This is a serious accusation and is untrue. Museum registration is a completely voluntary option for museums to pursue, if they so wish.

The BWMT is not a registered museum and is therefore not subject to registration regulations. There are no statutory registration requirements to comply with in respect of museum registration. The BWMT is not in breach of its obligations, and seeks to continue to preserve the memory of Sir Barnes Wallis and to further to the public's knowledge of his legacy.

Peter Rix

(Chairman, The Barnes Wallis Memorial Trust)