A 17th century relic donated to a West Cumbrian history group will be stored in Cockermouth Town Hall, but councillors have made it clear the venue cannot become a museum.
Cockermouth town councillors have agreed to let the town’s museum group keep a large linen chest it has been given in the town hall. But they pointed out there was no room for any more relics.
The museum group was given a 17th century chest by descendants of the owner. They approached the council in the hope space could be found for it in the town hall.
Councillor Eric Nicholson said: “It belongs to the museum group. We have no obligation to take it. We should not be a storage facility for them. I think we should make it clear this does not happen again.”
Coun Alan Smith agreed. “This is a town hall, not a museum. Although I do feel for the museum group, it’s unfortunate that we don’t have a museum when Keswick, Maryport and Workington do,” he said.
“But space is at a premium here, especially since we started offering weddings.”
Councillors agreed that the chest, which is insured by the museum group, could go at the entrance to the chambers.
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