Police help museum security

BUDLEIGH Salterton residents are adding to Fairlynch Museum’s burgeoning army of volunteer stewards thanks to a helping hand from the police.

BUDLEIGH Salterton residents are adding to Fairlynch Museum’s burgeoning army of volunteer stewards thanks to a helping hand from the police.

Fairlynch is the only thatched museum of its kind in the UK and is a precious repository of much of the town’s heritage.

The building is also one of Budleigh’s best known landmarks, and celebrates its bicentenary this year.

And now thanks to a local police initiative the numbers of stewards is being enlarged by publicising their role through the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Police Community Support Officer Chantalle Major said: “We know that Budleigh Salterton people see the museum as one of the town’s valuable assets.

“We’ve been more than happy to help ensure proper security at Fairlynch by encouraging residents to volunteer as stewards. The town has a strong community spirit and we’ve been delighted to have the opportunity of contributing to it by using the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in this unusual way.”

Hanneke Coates and Catrine Waller are amongst the newest recruits at the Museum tasked with overseeing the displays stuffed with local geology, natural history, mementos of Budleigh Salterton’s railway and tomes packed full of information on local events, developments and personalities.

“It’s one of Budleigh’s treasures, and we’re proud to support it,” said Hanneke and Catrine added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and telling them something of the area’s fascinating history.”

If you would like to learn more about the Fairlynch Neighbourhood Watch steward scheme please contact Sylvia Merkel on 01395 446493.