IT has long been the desire of many of our fans to see the history and importance of Barnsley Football Club to the town recognised through a museum. The Barnsley FC Supporters Trust has identified the establishment of a museum as one of its objectives for the future. The Barnsley FC Board of Directors is also supportive and, in addition to displaying extensive memorabilia from the football club's past, wishes to create a publicly accessible research archive of players, matches played at Oakwell, results and attendances as well as documents detailing the club's history. The Big Lottery has announced a Living Landmarks initiative and invited communities to apply for funds to transform, revitalise and regenerate important places in their towns. A steering group has been formed from many local interest, history and heritage groups, including Barnsley FC and a bid has been put forward to create a Living Landmark in Barnsley centred on the Town Hall and its immediate environment. The bid for £13m has cleared its first hurdle by being acknowledged by the Big Lottery as eligible for a grant. Of course, the Barnsley Council will eventually vacate the Town Hall to move to the new Westgate development, leaving this important architectural landmark for civic ceremonies and potential use as an inspiring, innovative and community-focused heritage centre.Part of the town's past, present and future is Barnsley FC and the bid to the Big Lottery recognises the need to celebrate the role of the Football Club within such a heritage centre. The Barnsley FC Supporters Trust and the board of Barnsley FC ask for your support for Barnsley's Living Landmark bid and the inclusion of our Football Club's past and future alongside living testimony of our community's social, industrial and artistic heritage. Over the next few weeks you will hear more of the Barnsley Living Landmark bid.To be successful it needs full support from the people of Barnsley and Reds fans particularly. Please pledge your support by visiting the Oakwell shop to sign the petition in support of a Barnsley Living Landmark and the chance of a museum and archive for the Reds.
