Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton

[wyndham]

  I received a letter to-day from the director informing me that this museum's facilities for postal and e-mail research have been closed down.  (This is a reply to a letter I sent some 2 years ago regarding a relation's service in the RNAS!!).

He states that 2 curatorial staff retired and they would not be replaced and the remaining staff would be employed solely on preserving and cataloguing artefacts.  It is still possible for those wishing to conduct their own research to make a prior booking and they will be catered for where possible.  The only sop he offers is that he "will gradually increase and improve the information which will be freely accessible on our Website".

I feel this is a retrograde step because if you can't visit you will probably have to rely on a paid researcher.   It is also a pity that these decisions have been taken as the Museum is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

[kyt]

That is sad but to be fair to them the Heritage Lottery Fund only paid for part of their exhibition hanger and they only get a small portion of their money from the state - most comes from donations and other self-funding means.

Alot of regimental museums have also either started charging or stopped providing direct research help, especially as the numbers of queries have risen dramatically with increased interest in geneology

k

[sarah]

Looks like it has re-opened hooray!

Fleet Air Arm Museum Europe's Largest Naval Aviation Collection
http://www.fleetairarm.com

They now have a Roll of Honour Search function too
http://www.fleetairarm.com/fleet-air-arm-roll-of-honour.aspx

Sarah