Forres Friends of the Falconer Museum and Moray Council call for new operating body
A volunteer group dedicated to a mothballed, historic local building and its exhibits is calling for help to reopen it.
The Falconer Museum - closed in 2019 during Moray Council budget cuts - could be set to partially reopen as early as 2026 under independent governance with a newly developed business model - if there is sufficient local interest in establishing a new operating body.
Volunteer group, the Friends of the Falconer Museum (FoFM), previously worked alongside museum staff employed by the local authority at the then-five star visitor attraction on Tolbooth Street.
Friends’ chairwoman, Christiane Friauf, confirmed the volunteers aim to continue in this role alongside the new operating group they hope will step forward.
She said: “We look forward to cooperating with Moray Council and all heritage and culture groups in the Forres Connected network, especially Forres Heritage Trust and Forres Area Community Trust (FACT).
“We want to ensure that the museum can soon provide crucial services to the community in support of education and entertainment, social wellbeing and science, tourism and the local economy.”
FACT development manager, Lorna Creswell, has been attending meetings to discuss the museum’s future over the last six months.
She said: “I'm delighted that a new model of operating is being explored that will include new volunteers with fresh ideas. We are fortunate to have Forres Heritage Trust (FHT) volunteers working tirelessly to share the town archives and buildings. It may be that individuals from there and from FACT will opt to engage more with the revised museum structure as it develops.”
FHT chairman, George Alexander, added: “we will not be getting directly involved with the proposed new business model, however, our members would be very welcome to help out.”
The Future Falconer Museum Report and Moray Museums Service Business Model were produced by independent consultants, Culture Radar, with “key local stakeholders”.
The proposals are that the museum is managed by a new independent body but Moray Council retains ownership.
A diversified funding model will include visitor admissions, grant funding, and revenue from merchandise and events. It is hoped to regain Museums Galleries Scotland accreditation. And the operations will be gradually expanded with full financial sustainability targeted within five years.
The plans will be presented to Moray Council for approval if there is sufficient local interest. The proposed service business model outlines that a reopening will only be possible with the support of a strong volunteer group, in addition, initially, to one part-time manager.
Until the building’s closure in 2019, the Friends worked alongside Moray Council museum staff running the museum. Christiane confirmed that the volunteers are prepared to continue in this role.
She said: “So far, nothing appears to be set in stone and details of the reports, for example the suggestion to charge entry fees, might need reviewing in the light of future developments.
“We would like to urge everyone involved to keep an open mind but focus on the main task at hand: the establishment of a new operating body.”
FoFM committee member and long-standing volunteer, Michael Rhind, is confident that the group will continue to play a role in the building’s future.
“Our collective expertise and passion will significantly contribute to the museum’s reopening and success,” he said, “recuperating the Falconer’s role in community engagement, education and tourism.”
The Friends have been asked by interested parties if they would directly take on the museum’s management.
Christiane replied: “The cause would not be helped if we deviated from our established base of knowledge and expertise as supporting volunteers by stepping into a totally different position.
“A new operating body will have to be established as a separate organisation. It should be open to all interested and qualified individuals, include experts from different walks of life, and not be dominated by one single heritage organisation.”
FoFM treasurer, Dr Alison Wright, also welcomes the proposals but notes that the council has yet to formally approve them until there are sufficient expressions of interest.
She said: “We encourage anyone interested in supporting the reopening to email forreschscheme@moray.gov.uk or fofmsec@gmail.com.”
