Council is challenged on archives
THE boss of Plymouth's museum has snubbed historians and archivists representing about 40 organisations from Plymouth and the rest of the South West, writes Political Reporter Keith Rossiter.
Nearly 100 people turned up to a public meeting called to discuss the threat to Plymouth's ancient archives, which are housed in a sub-standard temporary building on an industrial estate.
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CONCERNS: Members of the public at yesterday's meeting to discuss the future storage of historical records
The historians vowed to launch a national campaign to shame the council after Nicola Moyle, curator of the City Museum and Art Gallery, failed to turn up at the meeting in the Spurgeon Hall, Mutley Plain.
Organisers said Ms Moyle had agreed on November 4 to attend.
They tried repeatedly to phone Ms Moyle at the Museum. At one point a member of her staff admitted that she was "back in her office after lunch", but moments later said she was out.
The council has been given until 2013 to bring the Plymouth and West Devon Public Record Office in Clare Place up to scratch after the National Archives classified the building as unsuitable for storing records.
The city risks having priceless historic documents taken away. Many of the archives – some dating back to the 12th century – could end up being stored in a salt mine in Cheshire, said Dr Todd Gray, chairman of the Friends of Devon's Archives.
The city had been warned about the state of the record office in 1998, he said.
"We've had lots of different answers since 1998 about why the council didn't have the money."
Pointing to Ms Moyle's chair, he said: "This empty seat tells us the same as the council has told over the past year – nothing."
He said Plymouth's historical documents compared well with any other city in the country, and included the complete history of Plymouth Argyle.
Maureen Selley, chair of the Devon Family History Society, said it would cost the council about £1million a year to pay for the archives to be stored in Exeter, and only £1.5million was needed to convert a building like Mount Wise House.
She called on the council to use "a tiny part of the £20million it will get from the sale of Citybus".
The meeting was told that the historical records brought money into the city by attracting many visitors.
Dr Gray said the interest would only increase in the run-up to the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing from Plymouth to America.
Professor Christopher Holdsworth, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Records Society, said he was responsible for Quaker records in Devon and Cornwall, many of which were stored in Plymouth.
He said the Quakers could consider withdrawing their documents.
A council spokeswoman said later: "Councillors and officers were not able to attend today's meeting but we would be happy to arrange a meeting with representatives of the Devon Archives and the Family History Society to discuss their ideas.
"Plymouth's records are a valuable part of the city's heritage and we have been working hard over the last two years to identify a suitable building that will not only house the collections in appropriate conditions, but will also bring together other historical collections."
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by Mrs A Brooke, Anglesey
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 4:55PM
“I agree with all the comments. Here in Anglesey we were promised a new purpose built records office and local studies centre 11 years ago. So far nothing. A "consultation" was held last year and a report was to be circulated. Nothing so far. Our County record office is staffed by brilliant people but the office is tiny and counting footfalls would be small. The diaspora from North Wales was immense in earlier centuries and people come from all over the world to "find their roots". I am ashamed of the facilities here. I travel to Devon, Ripon, Huddersfield and Sunderland to research with my husband. As other correspondents mention I am stuffing money into these communities during the week I stay there. The saving of records is paramount. What are we but a result of the experiences of past ages.
For shame Plymouth Council, for shame.”
by David Mole, Ashford, Kent
Monday, December 28 2009, 12:24PM
“As a family history researcher who has made use of the facilities of Plymouth Archives at a distance I wholeheartedly support the views of Devon FHS (of which I am a member) and most of the other comments made on this page. Sadly this whole affair is representative of the state of local government in Britain today, where it is "led" (if that is not too strong a word) by members and officers who are bean counters who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. It is true that some of this state of affairs has come about because of financial pressure from central governments of both political persuasions in the last 30 years. But local politicians and officers still have enough discretionary spending powers to resolve a matter like this - if they have the will to do so. It is the will that is clearly lacking, and the fact that the officer responsible for the service cannot even be bothered to turn up at a meeting speaks volumes. What price accountability to council tax payers and the customers they serve? I hope that all those who are able to vote in the next elections for Plymouth City Council on 6 May 2010 will remember that the way they
vote directly affects matters such as this.”
by Peter, South Brent
Sunday, December 20 2009, 12:56PM
“The cost of implementing its undertaking to rehouse Plymouth and West Devon Record Office to a site that is not surrounded by commercial uses with their damaging effect on the irreplaceable records (which P.C.C seems to regard as unimportant) must be minimal when compared with the vast - and largely unwanted - cost to the local community of trying to stage a series of ephemeral games of football. Records are permanent, providing they are properly maintained, and are of the greatest value not only to those involved in family and local history, but also to future generations who may reasonably expect that such information is kept available locally. At the recent meeting the failure of councillors and council employees to turn up to attempt to defend their shortcomings in failing to comply with their statutory obligation is a disgrace and brings shame and disrepute to P.C.C.”
by margaret andrews, plymouth devon
Friday, December 11 2009, 5:32PM
“I have read with interest the comments of the above.I agree that the Plymouth City Council has treated the many organizations in an around Plymouth most shamefully.
Where oh where! is their civic pride.In the past there was such vision,just look back to the 1950's when Plymouth rose out of the ashes,and where can you find those city plans,yes! that's right at the Plymouth & West Devon record office.
Look to the future city councillors,one day your descendants may be looking into your history,oh! I forgot there won't be any records for them to research if you didn't come up with the new building.
So it's up to you,will those descendants find a success story and feel proud ,or will they need to hang their heads in SHAME.”
by Rachel, Queensland Australia
Thursday, December 10 2009, 9:27AM
“Typical of Goverments and Local Goverments around the world these days, Treat the public with contempt”