Concerns for future of Plymouth's archives
AN EDUCATIONAL charity has raised "deep concerns" about the uncertain future of Plymouth's archives.
The city council is looking for a new home for its historic documents after National Archives classified the public record building in Coxside as unsuitable.
The council has been given until 2013 to bring the facilities up to scratch and risks having its archives taken away to the National Records Office at Kew in London.
Dr Tom Greeves, chair of the Dartmoor Society, has written to Plymouth council leader Vivien Pengelly stating that dispersal of the collection would "leave a gaping hole in the educational resources of the city".
He is the latest of several historians to call for clarity over the collection. Dr Greeves, an archaeologist, said the office has a dedicated staff and an "absolutely extraordinary wealth" of archives relating to Plymouth and Devon which are of international significance.
He said: "It would be hard to imagine this resource being dispersed, in whole or in part, from the city of Plymouth, as it would be denying future researchers the opportunity to explore the historic 'memory' of the city, and would leave a gaping hole in the educational resources of the city.
"I myself have used these records for 40 years and can well attest to their irreplaceable value."
In his letter to Cllr Pengelly, he urges that she secure funding to ensure the records stay in Plymouth.
Writing on behalf of the Dartmoor Society, he stated: "To allow a situation to arise whereby the dispersal of the archives is a probability would be, in our opinion, quite inexcusable, whereas a commitment to a new archive building would undoubtedly raise the status of the city in the eyes of the world."
The Dartmoor Society is a registered charity with broadly educational aims and 600 members.
Cllr Pengelly told The Herald: "There's been a tremendous amount of hard work going on to secure a site and this is continuing. I will let people know what the situation is as soon as possible."
2 Comments
by Gill Hollingsworth, Horrabridge, Devon
Sunday, November 22 2009, 4:03PM
“I have only just been made aware of this. I am shocked & horrified that a city the size of Plymouth would not have these resources available, I may not be able to attend the meeting because I have children needing collection from school. Through Plymouth records office and my website I have managed to help people from across the world, I am sure if they were aware of this action they too would feel furious, please tell me what I can do to help persuade the council that our archives should stay available locally to us. Gill”
by Maureen Selley, Yelverton
Thursday, November 12 2009, 8:42AM
“A public meeting to discuss the future of the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office will be held at 2.15pm on 27th November at Spurgeon Hall, Mutley Baptist Church, Plymouth.”