Battling to save our archives (From Croydon Guardian)

Battling to save our archives in Croydon

9:30am Wednesday 24th November 2010 in News By Kirsty Whalley

In just one week 200 people have signed up to the Croydon Guardian’s campaign to save our heritage.

The newspaper has been overwhelmed by the response from people who do not want to see the local studies library closed or the museum bereft of its displays.

The council is consulting on plans to shut the library, slash the museum exhibitions, cut the summer festival, close the David Lean cinema and cancel all Clocktower events, saving between £150,000 and £1.5m.

The authority has a statutory duty to keep the archives running but, if the local studies library was shut, these would only be available on “limited access”.

Researchers would no longer be able to dig through the archives at their leisure.

Historian Brian Roote has unearthed details about heroes whose brave deeds were hidden in history.

While looking through a list of the borough’s casualties of war, Mr Roote stumbled on the tragic tale of the French family who lost four sons during the First World War.

The Croydon Guardian fought for forgotten soldiers, who died at Cane Hill asylum, to be recognised after the scandal was discovered in archived documents by Adrian Falks and Pam Buttrey.

The pair exposed the scandal of WWI soldiers buried in an anonymous mass grave, who had been left off the Debt of Honour.

Mr Falks has also used the archives to reveal the history of the Royal Normal College and Academy for the Blind, an innovative academy set up in 1871 in Norwood to provide training for disabled people. The local studies library has been praised for having the most extensive collection of archived material about the college in the world.

Tell the council how much you treasure our heritage by emailing artsconsult@ croydon.gov.uk or writing to A and H, 10th floor, Taberner House, Park Lane CR9 3BT.

Comments from some of the residents who have signed our petition.

Sarah Bowell wrote: “This is not a luxury expense. This is a necessity for our future and our children’s future. To even think about closing the local studies library is ridiculous and detrimental to all the residents of Croydon, past, present and future. We must protect our heritage and learn from it. How do we progress without researching what was good or bad in the past? Shame on the council for even suggesting the closure.”

Janice Rector wrote: “It’s really important to save the historical information of Croydon for future generations to know about the area they came from.”

Gillian Butler wrote: “This is such a vital resource, used by thousands of people each year in Croydon and from all parts of the world. We can’t afford to let the history of our borough be ignored.”

Melissa Mannon wrote: “It’s so sad to see a locality devalue its heritage. Our past informs our future, builds pride in our towns, and helps educate our children. By preserving local history, we build self esteem, a sense of identity, and a feeling of community. I was touched by your article and hope you are able to find a way to keep the library open and accessible.”

Richard Norman wrote: “The local studies centre is the prime source for researchers, enabling us to investigate and keep local history alive so our town’s culture can be passed on, otherwise we lose our town’s special identity.”

Celia Bailey wrote: “If we lose our arts services, Croydon really will be the joke many perceive it to be. The Clocktower and archive services are the jewel in Croydon’s crown.”

Click here to add your name to our petition