When I wrote the words for the previous edition of Saved I was confident that by the end of 1998, the Friends would be able to see very positive progress towards the establishment of the Museum. And so it has, in fact, proved to be.
Elsewhere in this issue, you can read of the real step forward achieved by the Trustees on 16th December last year. On this day, Daventry District Council finally approved the plans for the Museum site at Weedon, and in so doing, closed another chapter in the long history of the quest for a permanent home for the Museum collection.
However, our collective joy was short-lived when the Trustees learnt that the Secretary of State had exercised his prerogative and 'called in' the whole scheme. Early indications are that this action will impose another few months before we can actually get ready to open our doors to the public.
But I am extremely heartened by the fact that Daventry District Council have now given their full support. They are demonstrably keen to see the historic site at Weedon opened up and relish the prospect of a Fire Museum on the site.
Another very positive factor in the planning process is the condition which ensures that the developer's retail outlets cannot open until the Fire Museum is up and running and open to the public.
