Cirencester’s Living Memory Museum Faces Closure Without New Location

The Living Memory Historical Association, which operates a community museum in Cirencester dedicated to wartime life, is seeking a new premises to prevent its permanent closure. The institution has issued an appeal for assistance in securing an alternative location. The Cotswold District Council, acting as the landlord, is selling the current building situated on Sheep Street. Peter Grace, who manages the museum, stated: “In order not to lose a useful community facility we are desperate to find alternative accommodation, preferably in the town centre to be close to the air raid shelter.” The museum’s collection comprises over 2,000 artifacts that chronicle the Cotswolds’ experience during World War Two. Notable exhibits include photographs of American bandleader Glenn Miller’s 1944 visit to Cirencester, the desk-fan belonging to jet-engine inventor Sir Frank Whittle, and a “make-do-and-mend” wedding dress fashioned from parachute silk. A significant portion of these items consists of unique local 1940s heirlooms, many donated by visitors, such as bottled fruit that is 80 years old. This museum represents a dedicated endeavor by two local educators, Bill Irving and Peter Grace, supported by Bill’s wife, Jane. For three and a half decades, the trio has volunteered their Saturdays during spring and summer to offer free admission to the museum, also opening on weekdays for school groups and other visiting parties. The museum’s final day of operation at its current site is scheduled for 2 November.