Museum is a treasure house of delight

If you have never visited the museum you have missed a real treat. It is packed with objects to enthral you and give you a peep into the fascinating story of Kendal with all its diversity of history and wildlife.

From the moment you enter the first gallery you are transported back into the stone age with a more than life-sized model of a Neolithic man creating a flint axe. A display shows how the Romans lived while in Kendal and the story is continued with the magnificent Castle display One case which takes me back into my school days shows an inkwell tray - remember those pointed dip pens, blotting paper and inky fingers?

Alfred Wainwright is remembered with a replica of his office when he was Curator, his famous guide books to the Fells and his collection of Egyptian artefacts - very few people know about that interest of his. His bust looks on to a magnificent model of a sailing ship made in the 1830s, complete in every detail.

A short slope brings you to the Wildlife Gallery. Once you have recovered from the sight of a number of animal heads high up around the walls, collected by Colonel Harrison, who had the room built to contain his whole large collection of big game trophies, you are taken by a series of lifelike dioramas, through the various continents showing typical animals to be found in their natural habitats.

In this gallery is also the famous Polar Bear, who stands guard each Christmas over the children's letters to Father Christmas.

For the studious visitor are displays illustrating concerns such as the effect of pollution on wild life.

On the upper floor is the gallery which, again, through dioramas, demonstrates the variety of wildlife in typical habitats throughout the Lake District. Children delight in trying to find the little fawn hidden in undergrowth. They also enjoy activities here such as 'fossil rubbing' and identifying strange objects. In the Roman display downstairs they may be able to try making Roman sandals too.

The basement is where the annual series of special exhibitions is held and these often enable some of the treasures from the museum store to be displayed. Occasional lectures and workshops are given there too. This is only a minute taste of the pleasures to be obtained by visiting the museum A buzz of voices often indicates a group of local school children working and studying in the museum, which is seen as a most valuable educational resource.

In fact, the museum as a whole is a veritable treasure house of delight for the student and the occasional visitor alike, one which is the envy of many a provincial town, its history stretching back over 300 years!

It is a commonplace that we neglect the treasures on our own doorstep and Kendal Museum is no exception to that. Many local people do not know what they are missing. Even those who visit occasionally will find something new each time; something they have not noticed before.

In the present climate of financial difficulties, both the district and town councils have drastically cut their funding for the museum resulting, from April this year, in reductions in staff and of opening hours to just three afternoons per week - Thursdays to Saturdays.

For this reason a group of local residents, of which I am one, has formed a Support Group for the museum to give practical help and to encourage more visitors to come to enjoy the displays. To begin with the volunteers will be on duty each Saturday to undertake various tasks including assisting visitors and guiding them round the exhibits.

"Use it or lose it" is our watchword to the people of Kendal, whose museum it is.

It is a most valuable resource and is only a 15-minute interesting stroll from the Town Hall!

To lose it would deprive the town of an essential part of its heritage and be a serious loss which would never be replaced.

As you read this, make it your intention to support the museum by visiting it and publicising it wherever you can - "because it's worth it!"