The Museum will continue to collect items relating to the history and heritage of the Malmesbury area. Items falling outside this remit will not normally be collected unless they are of very significant intrinsic interest. The museum will respond to offers of objects but also actively look for opportunities to develop and enhance the collection. Archaeological archives are generally sent to the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes in the first instance as the repository for archaeological finds in this area.
In addition to the Town of Malmesbury, the geographical collecting areas include the areas administered by the following parish councils:
Alderton, Brinkworth, Brokenborough, Charlton, Crudwell, Dauntsey, Easton Grey, Foxham, Garsdon, Great Somerford, Hankerton, Hullavington, Lea & Cleverton, Little Somerford, Littleton Drew, Luckington, Malmesbury, Minety, Norton, Oaksey, St Paul Malmesbury Without, Sherston Magna, Sopworth and West Port St. Mary.
The Museum will not normally accept loans except for the purposes of temporary exhibitions and for a short, defined period. Long term loans will only be accepted under exceptional circumstances, to be agreed by the governing body, and will be agreed for a maximum period of 5 years on a renewable basis.
Acquisition
Any offers to the collection are considered by the Athelstan Museum Council. If you would like to offer an item to the museum please bring it in, complete an Entry Form with the volunteer on duty and leave it with us for assessment. If that is difficult, please write to the museum first and include as much detail as possible about the provenance of the item, the size and condition and include a photograph.
Disposal
The Trustees of Athelstan Museum will ensure that the disposal process is carried out openly and with transparency. By definition, the museum has a long-term purpose and holds collections in trust for society in relation to its stated objectives. The governing body therefore accepts the principle that sound curatorial reasons for disposal must be established before consideration is given to the disposal of any items in the museum’s collection.
Any decision to dispose of an item in the collection will be made by the trustees, and the guidance laid down by the Museums Association and the Arts Council England will be followed.