The Trustees of Ashby Museum have launched an online petition calling for support following a proposal from North West Leicestershire District Council to cut its £1,500 grant.

There has been opposition from a number of Ashby councillors after the plan was included in the authority's draft budget.

The Trustees say that if the funding is taken away, then the Museum would be in 'serious difficulty'

In the opening 24 hours, the petition gathered 88 signatures and obvious support from Ashby residents.

The Trustees have written to all 38 district councillors asking for their continued support - as well as appealing to MP Andrew Bridgen.

The museum has highlighted some key points about it and what is on offer at the North Street site:

• It is entirely volunteer-led, which means any funding or income from ticket sales goes into the operation of the museum and programming, never on staffing
• While it is proud of its permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Museum adds that it serves the community in many ways including: programming and events, such as the regularly sold-out historic guided walks; working with local schools; doing talks for other local groups (there will soon be a talk for a group linked to Hospice Hope); caring for a large collection of artefacts, photographs, and records; and serving as a resource for anyone with questions - be it just something they are curious about or a large research project
• The museum serves not only Ashby, but also the surrounding areas including: Blackfordby, Breedon, Coleorton, Packington, Smisby, Staunton Harold. and Grace Dieu. Some of its exhibitions this year will be put on by the villages of Coleorton, Breedon and Blackfordby.

Image: Supplied

At the moment, the Museum's call to action is:

• to ask people to sign the petition HERE
• make your voice heard by commenting on the NWLDC Budget Consultation site HERE.

In a letter to North West Leicestershire District Council, the Trustees have added: "We have relied on this income for nearly two decades. 

"It is a fundamental part of our annual planning. It goes towards our utilities bill. If we lose it, we will be in serious difficulty.

"Since we were first set up in the 1980s, the political colours of the Town and District Councils have changed somewhat, but without fail every year since then, Ashby Museum has been supported by them to the benefit of everyone in the area.

"I do hope you feel willing to support us and try to get whoever has decided to remove the grant from us to change their minds. It may not be a huge amount in the NWLDC's great scheme of things, but it is integral to our financial well-being."