AGENDA ITEM

Wardown Park Museum 14 - Residents consultation Top line results report

Background

Wardown Park Museum is run by Luton Culture on behalf of Luton Borough Council. To meet part of the £60m savings over the next 3 years, it has been proposed to close Wardown Park Museum from Monday to Friday during school term time to the general public as the number of visits during school term time at present are lower than other times throughout the year.

However, the museum will be open during the period to pre-booked group visits, school visits and other organised activities. Luton Culture will also continue to seek investment opportunities to improve the museum for the general public and as a space for community and commercial activities like meetings.

Methodology

Members of the public could complete the survey from beginning of November until 31 December 2011. The consultation was made public through the local media and the web site and in addition, copies of the survey were available from the museum, libraries and other cultural services. 451 responses were received, 264 were submitted online and 187 via a paper survey.

Summary

The majority of respondents say that they visit the Museum during the week, during school term time (67%). Just under half of the people who visit the Museum at these times have said that they would stop visiting Wardown Park Museum if the Museum were to be closed on weekdays during school term time (47%). Nine out of ten respondents said that they would either be affected a lot (52%) or a little (39%) by the proposed closure. A high proportion of respondents (84%) have said that they do not support the proposals. Of the 187 paper surveys 40% of the respondents visited Wardown Park Museum more than 10 times per year, 38% visited 4 to 9 times per year and 22% visited 3 times or less. Of the online surveys 20% of the respondents visited Wardown Park Museum more than 10 times per year, 31% visited 4 to 9 times per year and 49% visited 3 times or less per year.

Top line data

How often do you currently visit Wardown Park Museum per year? Please one box only 11 (2%) Never 49 (11%) Once 108 (24%) 2 -3 times per year 102 (23%) 4 - 6 times per year 51 (12%) 7 - 9 times per year 126 (28%) More than 10 times

When are you most likely to visit the Museum? Please one box only 96 (22%) Weekends 48 (11%) During the school holidays 292 (67%) During the week during school term time

If you are most likely to visit during the week, term time only, when children are at school, would you: Please all that apply 105 (22%) Visit during the new opening times 56 (12%) Visit the Stockwood Discovery Centre instead 224 (47%) Stop visiting Wardown Park Museum 18 (4%) Pre-book a group visit 71 (15%) Other Other, please specify In total 101 comments were made. See Appendix A.

See below a summary of the comments Many commented that they enjoy the flexibility and spontaneity of visits that the current opening times offer for various reasons e.g. taking visitors, research/study etc. Many comments express that it would be a loss not to have the museum facility open during the week. One of the big attractions of visiting the museum during the week is the fact that the museum is not so busy. This view was expressed by people who visit with small children and no children.

Some quotes "I like to visit when it is quieter (i.e. without being jostled by crowds) and can really enjoy my visit." "I bring my toddler specifically during term time so that its less busy-why not add more toddler orientated activities like Stockwood Park?" "Be very upset that a important local facility has gone and cannot be accessed" "Probably will make fewer visits to Wardown in total." "We would consider other places to visit" "The above is not applicable as Wardown Park Museum should remain open during the week for pensioners and those students who study individually." "Never sure when we have visitors from abroad so would like the open hours to stay the same." "Would miss the annual art exhibition probably and any new exhibition"

Do you feel that you / your family will be affected by the reduction in this service? Please one box only 136 (52%) Yes, a lot 101 (39%) Yes, a little 23 (9%) No, not at all

Do you support the proposal to close the museum to help save money: Please one box only 18 (7%) Yes 216 (84%) No 24 (9%) Don't know / not sure If no, please tell us your issues / concerns

2 In total 146 comments were made. See Appendix B.

See below a summary of the comments Many respondents commented that the museum is an important part of Luton‘s history and heritage and therefore vitally important to young and old. Many of the respondents question whether the weekday closure during term-time will yield a substantial cost saving. Many feel that it will damage current interest and reputation in the museum and that the relative small cost saving is not warranted. An important number of respondents fear that the museum will eventually be closed and some feel that this is inevitable if the visiting hours are reduced. Suggestions were made to add activities and events to attract more visitors to the museum and increase income rather than reducing visiting hours. Other stated that as Luton wishes to attain City status, more importance should be given to the cultural heritage of Luton, Wardown Park Museum being a fine example.

Some quotes "Short sighted in terms of improving our towns cultural heritage profile" "I feel that Luton has the best museums, once you start reducing hours you would on a road to closures. I do feel that the hours should be change for Summer & Winter opening to make better use in better weather. I feel groups such as Scouts & Brownies could benefit after 5 O'clock." "Tourism in Luton is already almost zero - why close one of the few attractions we do have? I visit with business executives who may one day consider moving there organisations to Luton, where will they go to gain an understanding of Luton's history?" "….. I consider you would be better placed adding activities to the weekday to attract mums and tots which would generate income from the tea room and thus make it more cost efficient. How about crafts activities, more fayres, etc and just charge a small fee for those?? Closing it would be a mistake in my opinion. ……. For e.g., you have a soldiers room. Bring in actors to dress from the era and tell stories etc so it becomes more interactive. You have got lace, have a lace fayre, etc. What you need are keepers who are interested and proactive in organising events. I remember the star wars exhibit which attracted a huge amount of interest." "The museum is a great place to learn about our local heritage. I have taken my children around quite a few times this year. My mum used to take me when I was young. I would love for my children to be able to take their children around. It also hosts some excellent exhibits which are of a real interest to all ages. To close it would be a crying shame. It is part of Luton and a trip to Wardown Park is never complete without a visit to the museum." "With a fully operational park and offices on site I cannot see where savings are going to be made in closing the museum to the public during term time. Surely the building will still have to be opened and maintained whether or not the public are allowed in?" "We like going to the museum during the week it gives us something to do. We can meet friends and have a cup of tea and talk to the staff that is very helpful and very good at what they do. It will be the biggest mistake the council has ever made"

3 "I no longer live in Luton as had to move to the Isle of Wight some years ago. The museum is a great heritage to Luton with the industrial past and great history of Luton this place should be making money for you with great exhibitions. Maybe you could look at Lyme Regis Dorset who are building an extension to their museum. I can only visit about once or twice a year but it's no good to me if it's closed. Would love to see continue and grow with changing exhibits. Great for history students and family genealogy .Please think again." "There are not many free indoor activities that people in Luton can do. Rather than closing the doors, wouldn't it be wiser to invite specific communities to come and meet within the museum itself during the week? E.g. there could be talks scheduled about Luton and the surrounding areas aimed at retired people - who could join in the talks and given their account / memories about Luton. Or, meetings for unemployed people with speakers from charities talking about how to volunteer. Or craft demonstrations etc." "I am concerned that closure of the Museum during the working week in term-time will only hasten its total closure, due to the reduced number of visitors and a supposed lack of interest. I am also concerned that any visitor arriving during a closed period is unlikely to return." "Luton is putting a great effort into becoming a city, and Wardown Park Museum is within walking distance of the city centre, I don't believe you can have a city with a part time museum. Stockwood is simply too far from the city centre." Other stated that as Luton wishes to attain City status, more importance should be given to the cultural heritage of Luton, Wardown Park Museum being a fine example. "As long as it stays open to the public at weekends and school holidays then I would support it. My only fear is that this is a first step to closing the museum." "The actual amount of money that you would save would be minimal. The Museum still needs to be lit, heated, protected, etc."

Do you have any other comments? 278 comments were made. See appendix C

See below a summary of the comments Similar issues were raised as above. Most comments reflect how much people living in and outside Luton value the museum and enjoy this facility during the daytime when it is quieter. Some have enjoyed this facility for many years. Some respondents see the reduction of opening hours as a real threat to future closure of the museum. Closing the museum during the week was seen as a false economy by some residents. Residents feel that cost savings could be achieved in another way or think the museum should increase its revenue. Lutonians feel that the museum is of high historical, cultural and educational importance and a real asset to the town.

4 Some quotes "Growing up in Luton in the 70's, I spent lots of time in the museum and learnt a lot about the history of the area. I learned to love social history as a consequence." "Winter opening hours could be Nov - Mar Thurs - Sun 10am-4pm Summer April - Oct Mon - Sat 11 - 6pm Sun 1pm - 5pm These hours would reflect times people are around in the park and would visit the museum. There should be more and better signage for the museum to encourage people to visit from the children's play area. A lot of people see the museum as a private house and do not visit that end of the park." "The Museum is an indispensable amenity that is valued by all true Lutonians. Most of the collection has been bequeathed by earlier generations with the intention of sharing our heritage for ever with the townsfolk at all times. It is wrong that their trust should be betrayed in order to cover-up the financial mismanagement of the Town Council. Visiting the Park and Museum on a quiet weekday is a joy for the elderly, and the youngest toddlers with their parents. It would be criminal to deny them access!" Even a modest (e.g. £1) admission charge would be preferable." "The diversity of Luton's population is matched by the diversity of its museums, Wardown Park Museum. Stockwood Discovery Centre and the John Dony Field Centre offer three different experiences. Making Wardown a part time museum for such a small saving when compared with the maintenance of a guided bus way is in my opinion short sighted and a poor advertisement for a town with aspirations of becoming a city." One concern is whether less availability would make Wardown be perceived as ""2nd Museum"" with Stockwood as premier. This would be a great pity." "It is a local place to visit to see things of interest e.g. permanent Exhibits, ever changing new exhibitions. Also a welcome cuppa is always appreciated." "I am a carer that looks after old people, I bring them to the museum, as a place for them to socialize and feel part of the community." "-I prefer not to go in the museum when children are on holiday -I do research regularly at the museum so the lights and heating will have to be on. Staff have to let me in, supervise me and answer questions, so what savings are there? I don't understand." "I would rather a nominal fee e.g. £1 be charged than risk the museum. Investigating Stockwood Museum as a venue for weddings and corporate events because of its site near the M1, its wonderful site and size as well as it has the catering facilities in place as a way of raising funds. Or controversially, reduce the consultants in Luton Council to save money." "I feel for a town of Luton s size especially as they hope for city status not to have a museum of this calibre open full time is a disgrace as they are hoping for city status. There are also rumours of it becoming a venue." "It would discourage me form coming to the park" "Lovely cup of Char" "I would visit other places but would not like Wardown Museum to close down because it is very good to visit." "College students need the term time." "My mum takes me don‘t close the museum I like it very much I like the soldiers." "Think it would be a shame to have weekday closures when it's such a great opportunity to showcase our town. Children visiting in the week would surely encourage their parents to take them at weekends so vital to have weekday opening in my opinion..."

5 "I feel that there are many ways in which the shortfall in funding could be addressed such as: - Better promotion of events and services - Better use of premises to increase revenue, such as letting to groups and conference use etc - Volunteer staffing at less busy times" "Why does the last page say you are interested in hearing from a 'range of different young people'? Are you not interested in the views of older people?" "It is difficult to see how the regularly held exhibitions would be mounted if the Museum was to close for the majority of the week. And.... How mature students would be able to use the facility if it is only available at weekends." "I would like current displays at the museum to be more widely advertised. I live in Barton and come in for particular exhibitions e.g. the exhibition of old photographs."

About you We need to make sure that we are hearing from a range of different young people, therefore it is important that you answer the following questions about yourself

Are you? Please one box only 112 (46%) Male 131 (54%) Female

Which age group do you belong to? Please one box only 8 (3%) 16 - 24 55 (21%) 55 - 64 23 (9%) 25 - 34 46 (18%) 65 - 74 48 (19%) 35 - 44 9 (4%) 75+ 67 (26%) 45 - 54

To which ethnic group do you think you belong? Please one box 209 White - British 1 (0%) Asian/Asian British - Kashmiri (85%) 10 (4%) White - Irish 0 (0%) Asian/Asian British - Pakistani 0 (0%) Eastern European 2 (1%) Asian/Asian British - Bangladeshi 0 (0%) Gypsy/Traveller 0 (0%) Any other Asian background 9 (4%) Any other white background 2 (1%) Black/Black British - Caribbean 2 (1%) Mixed - White and Black Caribbean 0 (0%) Black/Black British - African 0 (0%) Mixed - White and Black African 1 (0%) Any other black background 2 (1%) Mixed - White and Asian 0 (0%) Chinese 2 (1%) Any other mixed background 4 (2%) Other 2 (1%) Asian/Asian British - Indian

Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Please one box only 33 (13%) Yes 221 (87%) No

6 Appendix A

"be very disappointed as the museum is a very special place for a coffee and a special atmosphere with lovely employees" "I like to visit when it is quieter (i.e. without being jostled by crowds) and can really enjoy my visit." "to carry on doing so at my leisure and when I wanted to" "Would like the option of visiting when I feel" "I think I would like to visit during after hours in better weather. I enjoy visiting Wardown Park and the museum after school but shuts at 5 o'clock" "Arrange a special visit via Museum staff for myself" "Would have no choice if it was closed during the week!" "To show its important collection to visitors from home and abroad, when it is quieter, with fewer noisy children." "normally outside term time" "I would rather always have the chance to visit whenever the fancy takes me i.e. when I have visitors etc." "I would confine my visit to Wardown Park." "I use the museum for interest and research when I need to. Who can predict this" "I work here" "This is a silly idea anyway - the alternatives are not really alternatives, they are all possible" "I would continue to visit - why is Luton's Heritage being torn apart piece by piece?" "I bring my toddler specifically during term time so that its less busy-why not add more toddler orientated activities like Stockwood Park?" "Would visit other times but weekdays most convenient and we would not visit so often at weekends." "would be disruptive not being able to enter the museum" "weekends only visitor" "Research by appointment" "Probably not visit" "Do not change the opening times - this facility was donated to the Luton - £60k is not much - cancel the free fireworks instead" "Leave the Museum alone and let the people of Luton visit it when they want too!!" "Sack some of the Senior MANAGERS AT THE town hall AND LEAVE OUR museum ALONE!!" "Be very upset that a important local facility has gone and cannot be accessed" "during the week" "To Close the museum on Tuesday-Friday is a mad idea I would like to know which lunatic thought of this" "As I am a voluntary worker at the museum, I go almost every week, even when Elizabeth Adey is away." "It is nice to have the option of coming during weekdays to this museum." "Would have no there choice other than visiting during new opening times or not come at all." "Be very upset." "Probably will make fewer visits to Wardown in total." "I would mostly miss the opening times." "Try to come but obviously a lot less." "People do visit at different times and days ideally it would be nice to keep the opening times and days as it is-if possible." "Please see other comments."

7 "We would consider other places to visit" "The museum needs to be open all week" "I work a shift pattern that makes daytime weekday visiting ideal so I would probably pre-book an individual study visit if still available" "Would miss the annual art exhibition probably and any new exhibition." "I have submitted paintings to Luton for 25 years at least. I live in North Bucks, which is about 40 miles from the museum-which is welcoming." "The above is not applicable as Wardown Park Museum should remain open during the week for pensioners and those students who study individually." "I have visitors from the United States several times a year and usually visit during term time to avoid crowds of children." "See other comments." "But weekends are so convenient and the museum would be much busier and noisier," "see other comments" "it would be to crowded if only open on weekends" "My visits to Wardown would be considerably reduced, I like to come without having to plan first, just like I‘ve done since childhood" "It would be annoying not to visit at my convenience. The museum us the people of Luton, not for politicians to mess about with it." "That question does not make any sense to someone who would like to visit during current opening times." "would like opening times left unchanged" "Is this a fait accompli?" "Not sure because I don't want to visit when the kids are on holiday" "complain that the museum is a public resource and that restricting access as grossly as is proposed in wrong" "Would probably visit during new opening times but under protest!" "Visit another museum" "would not be able to visit" "There is no substitute to the Resource being available as required" "Try to make arrangements. My main interest and concern are the extremely important natural history collections that are off public display" "Visit when I felt the need to." "Feel that having to specify a time for a visit precludes any spontaneous visit which is what our visits are" "Not applicable" "My grandson likes the museum especially the army section, but losing the contact with the beds & herts volunteers is a blow.‖ "I would visit the museum rarely." "Go Home" "Never sure when we have visitors from abroad so would like the open hours to stay the same." "We have always bought our Grandchildren and they have wonderful times dressing up when the museum is less busy" "Previous Question Bias?" "Probably" "I would still like to visit, but how long before you close this & other services altogether, it is not only children that use the museum." "Would miss the annual art exhibition probably and any new exhibition"

8 "I have submitted paintings to Luton fro more than 25years at least. I live in North Bucks which is about 40 miles from the museum," "We have a mix of aged children we like to when older ones are at school and also when we are together" "Very sorry to be limited to set times, I have come accustomed to dropping in when in the locality for at least 60 years" "If a place closes you lose track with the opening times" ―Would be a shame to lose this valuable service‖ ―I come here a lot with the children as there are lots of activities for us‖ ―Visit weekend and week – Luton needs a museum accessible all year round‖ ―Travel, when kids want to visit times will be different, might affect working times‖ ―Wants to visit when it quiet – would be a disaster for the museum‖ ―Work as a nanny with young children and a young adult with special needs – important to visit when older children at school‖ ―Please stay open as usual, if not people will stop coming and go elsewhere‖ ―This is my 1st visit and disappointed to learn of the proposal. Hope you will still employ the really helpful enthusiastic staff‖ ―Enjoyable visit – please don‘t close as suggested‖ ―I believe the Mayor pledged to keep the museum open as an educational resource for people of Luton. The proposal is very restrictive opening hours and will impact on the weekday visitor‖ ―Our lives will be poorer with a reduced service. The staff do a fantastic job and particularly involve young people‖ ―I prefer to visit in peace – better to allocate a special day for children‖ ―Would be a great loss‖ ―There soon wont be anything to come into Luton for‖ ―They have ruined St Georges Square with tacky amusements and now they are to spoil Wardown Park and the museum. This is part of our heritage and we should be proud of Luton‘s past‖ ―I would obviously visit less often, the value of term time opening is the freedom from disturbance by noisy children‖ ―I have a 3 & 5 yr old so I do visit during the week sometimes for the toddler play session and use the café when visiting the park.‖ ―A very retrograde step. Maybe the 28% visitors prefer the quiet time to see the exhibits/exhibitions. For the north end of the town Stockwood is not necessarily an options (Traffic/Travel) and anyway it is a different type of museum.‖ ―As a lace maker, I need access to the history of lace making my own research and that of my students‖ ―The impact would be major seen as it has been open for decades and is 1 of my families favourite places in Luton. We also would be more or less disappointed to see such a great place with such memories closedown‖ ―I work with adults with Learning Disabilities and visit most weeks. There are few free places left to go and weekday closure would have a bad affect on my clients, colleagues and friends‖ ―It would be extremely disappointing as my grandchildren visit on various weekdays but largely at the weekends‖ ―I usually round off a visit to the park by looking in at the museum and finding something different each time.‖ ―Love taking the grandson and family down.‖ ―I would certainly miss my weekday visits. I hope this is not the start of loosing another part of Luton‘s heritage of which we now have very little.‖

Appendix B

9

"This question is very badly worded. The question talks about ""the proposal to close the museum"" but the proposal is to reduce the opening hours, not to close the museum." "Needs be when the devil drives!" "It is reducing the quality of a visit to Wardown Park for the people of Luton. Many people visiting the park also want to visit the museum. Many mothers of small children enjoy taking them there. It is warm, free, educational and of great benefit to the visitors. I have been going there since I was a baby 46 years ago and have appreciated it at all ages... particularly when it is quieter during a week day." "As long as it stays open to the public at weekends and school holidays then I would support it. My only fear is that this is a first step to closing the museum." "No way, your are doing your best to destroy Luton how about the fat cats at the top take a pay cut" "The actual amount of money that you would save would be minimal. The Museum still needs to be lit, heated, protected, etc." "As a previous resident of Luton and nearby neighbour to the park and museum I used to take elderly people to the museum as well as children in my childminding days as a self employed carer. The times during the week are invaluable to those who prefer to browse the museum without children running around." "It will be a great shame if it is closed and therefore not open at all times but unfortunately the savings have to be made." "Short sighted in terms of improving our towns cultural heritage profile" "The museum is one of the few things left in the town that is ""really Luton"" It needs marketing properly with events, craft workers showing what they do and how etc. Please keep it open and give it some oomph!!" "With a fully operational park and offices on site I cannot see where savings are going to be made in closing the museum to the public during term time. Surely the building will still have to be opened and maintained whether or not the public are allowed in?" "There are many people who prefer to visit when it is not really crowded at weekends and school holidays. I would not visit during school hols/weekends." "Wardown Park Museum is so much more than simply a museum: It is the hub of the community. Closing it during term time will rob people like me the opportunity to visit the museum without hoards of families being there, will cut off a vital community resource for Elderly residents in the area in the small cafe and will prevent school groups from arranging organised trips to the museum as part of their curriculum. This is an astonishingly short sighted suggestion." "if you don‘t live in Luton like myself and I do family history to travel 138 miles just to find the museum is shut well" "We like going to the museum during the week it gives us something to do. We can meet friends and have a cup of tea and talk to the staff that is very helpful and very good at what they do. It will be the biggest mistake the council has ever made" "The Museum is part of Luton's History and every effort should be made to keep it open to the public of Luton" "It will be busy in school holidays which makes it harder to arrange to go. As a childminder I find it better for small children to go during the week." "I feel that money could be saved in other areas - for instance (and I know this would have more people up in arms than closing the museum would during the week), but I think that fortnightly refuse collections would save more money and encourage more to recycle....." "Are we talking closure or a reduction of hours? If the reduction of hours and donations for pre- arranged trips during school-term weekdays is put in place, and these measures guarantee that the museum stays open, I would endorse/support this proposal of closure Mon-Fri"

10 "I no longer live in Luton as had to move to the Isle of Wight some years ago. The museum is a great heritage to Luton with the industrial past and great history of Luton this place should be making money for you with great exhibitions. Maybe you could look at Lyme Regis Dorset who are building an extension to their museum. I can only visit about once or twice a year but it's no good to me if it's closed. Would love to see continue and grow with changing exhibits. Great for history students and family genealogy .Please think again." "There are many other ways to save money ...Don‘t take from the residents one of the few things they have during this time of hardship. Please reconsider your plans. I am 71 years old and I visit the museum as often as I can. I also used to work on the heating system many years ago so I know every inch of the old place; it would be a crime to restrict opening hours. Sorry for the rant, but feel very strongly about this. "The Museum is a big part of Luton to close it would be just terrible. Those of us who have lived in Luton all our lives!! Need the Museum, we need to be able to just decide on the spur of the moment to visit and not pre book or wait for the weekend. Please do not close it." "Once cutbacks have been made and the museum is shut Mon-Fri, it will not be long before the museum will be forced to closed permanently. The museum is an important part of Luton history and should remain as it is. School groups won't be able to visit if the museum is closed during the week." "The museum is a great place to learn about our local heritage. I have taken my children around quite a few times this year. My mum used to take me when I was young. I would love for my children to be able to take their children around. It also hosts some excellent exhibits which are of a real interest to all ages. To close it would be a crying shame. It is part of Luton and a trip to Wardown Park is never complete without a visit to the museum." "Wardown museum is part of my childhood as always lived in Luton and it would be missed if it was to close as I use Wardown park a lot of the time and it always involves a visit to the museum as well which is always a pleasure and always has something of interest to view so closing it to save money I disagree totally as its always a pleasure to visit" "It‘s a huge part of Luton‘s history." "The museum should be kept open as an educational and social venue; although I no longer live in Luton, when I did I always visited as a child and brought my child to visit too as often as I could." "Understand that money can be saved, but to close for the whole week during term time is a little much...not open for just the afternoons? Or just keep the closed days to Mons / Tues / Weds?" "I cannot understand why the Museum needs to close at all! Often when I have visited Wardown Park I have seen school teachers ushering along long columns of children making their way there from all the local schools, and others arriving by coach from schools that are further away. To close the Wardown Park Museum will deprive many people the opportunity to explore all the items of interest held in the museum and turn Luton into a cultural black hole!" "I feel that Luton has the best museums, once you start reducing hours you would on a road to closures. I do feel that the hours should be change for Summer & Winter opening to make better use in better weather. I feel groups such as Scouts & Brownies could benefit after 5 O'clock." "Find some where else to save money. how about the fat cats taking a pay cut leave the little people alone" "All people, young and old, residents and visitors alike, need the opportunity to see and learn about Luton's history and heritage. Wardown Museum is a magnificent building, in a magnificent setting, and could play a major role in tourism for our town. It should remain open to the public at all times." "Important part of Luton & its history - houses regimental artefacts and hosts interesting exhibitions. Help youngsters learn about Luton & its past."

11 "I think that the museum should be available for everyone at all times. There are people who may not be able to get there during the weekend, or who want to go there when it's a bit quieter. Whilst I understand that savings need to be made, I believe that the museum is one of the most important places the town has to offer and should not be scaled down in any way." "I don't believe the amount of money that would be saved out ways the negative impact closing the museum would have on the community. Stockwood is completely different to Wardown and does not replace the local history that would be lost. It's a meeting place for the old and young alike and an essential part of Luton!" "The collection should be accessible to visitors at ALL times. I have given artefacts, etc to the Museum for them to display, and want to know that they can be seen at all reasonable times. What provision will be made to tell visitors coming from other parts of the UK and abroad that they are wasting their journey time, if this ridiculous closure proposal is implemented? Why should one indispensable facility be singled out for closure, because the Council has miss-spent millions of pounds on other ill-conceived frivolities? Why not close the Town Hall on Thursdays, the waste disposal system on Tuesdays, and sell of the Civic plate, etc?" "If the Council are not able to run the museum for more than two days a week for most of the year; how about giving someone else to chance to run it? Or, how about closing Stockwood for the same amount of time? Or, how about balancing it between the two locations. If you want to save money, how about not spending money on 'improving' bus stops that do not need 'improving'? Or, how about not paying people to attend consultation meetings? Apologies if my response seems a little strident, but I am amazed that this should be done to save money, when so much money is needlessly spent in these challenging times. In short, if you cannot run the museum, let's see if someone else can." "I am concerned that closure of the Museum during the working week in term-time will only hasten its total closure, due to the reduced number of visitors and a supposed lack of interest. I am also concerned that any visitor arriving during a closed period is unlikely to return." "The Museum is a valuable resource of which the Town should be proud, it is important that everyone -not just children should be encouraged to use it, to close it for this amount of time sends out the wrong signals" "the museum has been there since I was a child I don‘t live in Luton now but I do come and visit several times a year this is generally during term times and in the week I visit the museum on these occasions just as a reminder of my youth and it saddens me to know that I might not be able to see this again" "This is part of our cultural heritage. LBC waste money in all directions and other options should be looked at. The golf centre generates good profit so redirect some of that. Creating a new fitness centre in stockwood was not necessary in this financial climate but we were not asked if this was needed you did that. A miss-guided bus way at 89Million is underway we were asked about that but contrary to the answer to that you found the funds. Building carnival centre was not essential but you built that dig deeper and keep open the Museum." "Why should we let the council steal more of Luton‘s history its not on. I bet the people who make these decisions haven‘t even been to the museum. I go to the museum every week often take my kids the staff are the best in the so called cultural trust better than the library and stockwood KEEP IT OPEN" "Those that are in our position (retired or unfettered by school/work time commitments) prefer to take advantage of visiting facilities/amenities (not just Wardown Museum) outside busy weekends and school holidays." "The money saved is very little - bearing in mind that LBC loses 1/3 of the proposed saving. The museum is well regarded and 18,000 people prefer to visit during term time week days. It serves marginalised groups - for whom other centres are closing down. It has a loyal following - and is one of the heritage attractions of Luton" "The Museum is a vital part of Luton's culture and should therefore be accessible at all times of the year. It is noted that mention is only made to implementation of the idea being a part of the

12 savings envisaged - the percentage or actual saving if the Museum were to be closed in term time is not mentioned. Why not??" "The problem is that if the museum is to be closed during term time to save money then, once that has been achieved, there will be pressure to close it completely to save even more money." "As far as I am aware, this museum has been open full time since it was made into a museum, possibly also during the war. I would like to see just what part of the 20m per year savings you are attempting to save by this closure. There maybe some savings on light and heat during the winter period but maintenance costs will still continue at the same rate. Obviously there will be some staff redundancies which will create difficulties for those not nearing retirement but also not create jobs for those seeking employment. This is a petty scheme and needs a thorough rethink. If you had cut out some of the absurd road humps in the town you would have more than enough money to cushion this silly idea." "There would be no chance for visitors to Luton during the week to be able to see the museum. People doing research would not have access to the facilities." "Luton is putting a great effort into becoming a city, and Wardown Park Museum is within walking distance of the city centre, I don't believe you can have a city with a part time museum. Stockwood is simply too far from the city centre." "We think this is a valuable site and interest will dwindle if people find this closed. Many Luton people who now live away - like some of our family and many others who move away with their jobs enjoy visiting on their return to visit their families." "Tourism in Luton is already almost zero - why close one of the few attractions we do have? I visit with business executives who may one day consider moving there organisations to Luton, where will they go to gain an understanding of Luton's history?" "no a free service, somewhere to go with the family is essential - please consider other options such as using volunteers" "What a silly idea closing something which is free. you waste money left right and any other way you can and take stuff away from the people of Luton that they use" "the loss of a public resource which is far more accessible than the only other museum in Luton" "I worry that it is one step towards the eventual closure of our museum." "Absolutely dismayed at this. We have very little if the original Victorian Luton - are you determined to destroy any heritage we have?" "How can there be savings if you open for school groups, pre booked groups and organised activities. If it is open for them during the week then keep it open for everyone. If you are paying staff and heating the building for these groups then there are no savings. Any way, once you reduce opening times they never go back to what they were. People go elsewhere then managers say look no one uses the museum so we do not need to keep it open all week. The reason no one will visit it is precisely because it is closed during the week." "I think you could have some reduction but not every day of the week - why not close Monday (do tourists turn up on a Monday? - it seems an odd day to stay open) and keep Thursday & Friday open. I come on Thursdays when I go as that's my free day." "As I understand it you will still be open weekends and all the exhibits will still be there and need consistent temperature so surely heating, etc remain the same. All you are saving is a few staff wages. I consider you would be better placed adding activities to the weekday to attract mums and tots which would generate income from the tea room and thus make it more cost efficient. How about crafts activities, more fayres, etc and just charge a small fee for those?? Closing it would be a mistake in my opinion. You have a lovely museum which I visited as a child and now bring my children to. I consider what is needed is more activities to attract people. For e.g., you have a solders room. Bring in actors to dress from the era and tell stories etc so it becomes more interactive. You have got lace, have a lace fayre, etc. What you need are keepers who are interested and proactive in organising events. I remember the star wars exhibit which attracted a huge amount of interest."

13 "Because there are better things to cut than the history of Luton. Try cutting Administration staff at the town hall or stop spending as much on staff expenses for travel, subsistence etc." "Wardown Park Museum is a good, well displayed museum with hands-on exhibits and appeals to all ages. It is a window into Luton's past and ideas for the future. It is an important record of Luton's heritage and history which many would not have access to under the proposals." "I use the museum at weekends as work during the week we use public transport or walk as this is more eco friendly by changing the times and the need to use my car to go to Stockwood Park this will be impossible. I feel that my children will suffer on there history of Luton E.T.C" "Feel that this could be the start of other closures of community amenities.....why does the Council do more to promote Wardown Museum to encourage more visitors! Please don't close the museum!" "So long as the museum is maintained/ improved/ updated etc and kept for everyone‘s use ill support any changes that assist that. in the current climate it doesn‘t make sense not to do anything that can help" "it is a national treasure should not be closed at all" "This is a landmark and part of Luton‘s heritage and history" "Once partially closed, it's a slippery slope to full closure." "I understand the need to save money, but feel there are other options to be explored. I understand that Luton Culture offered up a number of other suggestions as savings, the public should be consulted on these." "It's our heritage. Luton hasn't any strong historical foundations; it's a town of chance, cheap electricity etc. This is probably the best piece if history you're ever going to get. It would be a shame to lose it. Stop with the wanton destruction and closure, hold on to the past, keep it; it is something to be proud of. Lutonians deserve it." "It show's Luton‘s history and past" "As well as being an important historical building, the museum is an institution in Luton that would be sorely missed" "I have always come to the museum, when I was a child and now I take my children and I would love them to be able to take their children and grandchildren. It's the history of Luton and the next generation needs to understand about the hat factories etc, as there are not that many left" "Museums were opened to enhance culture and ensure that heritage is not lost or forgotten. They should be open as much as possible to reach as many people, by closing it you are denying people particularly children the opportunity to learn and discover when they visit the park." "This is a ridiculously small amount of money to save compared to the number of people living in Luton." "Closure is not necessary as it is merely a political gesture" "The Museum is there for the people of Luton and should be available at all times for the people of Luton find something else to save your money on. Stop funding all the politically correct activities and leave our Museum alone please" "This proposal would not save as much money as closing Stockwood in the winter like they used to. It is always freezing in the winter up there and the whole place is open to the elements." "In the current economic climate the people of Luton need their museum services more than ever! Without this service my young family will be short of activities in the weekdays and I know it will affect the people who need support most - young families, homeless, unemployed and older residents, people who have to take the rubbish jobs and work on weekends." "Because there are so little services anyway, it would be a shame to close yet another facility. Why not publicise the venue and offer events to encourage people to visit?" "The savings do not make sense when you look at the loss to the local communities. When you visit the museum you are surrounded by a wide variety of people from various local communities and by adult groups who use the museum for support in building their lives and in developing their

14 lives. I find it morally wrong to deprive our communities for such a small amount of money each year. I disagree strongly with the Trust's refusal to consider charging a SMALL admission fee and the Council's refusal to let this happen. You would rather take away something so important to the wellbeing and pride of Luton people. It makes no sense. I also am concerned that this closure is just the beginning and any new development of Wardown House will mean even greater closure and it being closed to the public for even more of the week so that rich companies can use the Museum as a conference centre or rich people use it exclusively for weddings. Where is the fairness of that? You are letting down the communities of Luton. Shame on you" "Luton Heritage!!!" "I regularly visit in the week to do research on Luton History" "I lived in Luton till 16 and regularly visited the museum first with parents then friends /alone. Difficult to tell if my love of museums was started by you or whether I‘m just the sort of person who loves museums." "Make the councillors look at other ways of saving money" "This is an educational establishment and surely our children are going to suffer the loss more than anyone." "It is used by thousands of people, it is one of the few tourist attractions I would point a visitor to, and it has to be in Wardown Park as Stockwood Park is too far away for many. Simply, it is a cultural treasure -- you don't reduce those, you fight for them and if anything expand them. And it is not at all in keeping with Luton's bid for City Status -- if we want to be a city, let's act like one and make culture a priority." "Most definitely not because it is part of our heritage; has some wonderful exhibits which are of utmost importance to the people of Luton and outsiders. We owe it to the future generation to maintain the standards and keep it in Wardown Park where it belongs and accessible to all at all hours." "Stockwood is less accessible for me as I don't have a car and I live near Wardown. Also, I am interested in social history and hatting and those collections are held at Wardown. I also appreciate the smaller size and friendliness of the Wardown site. Also, given that you would need to hire people in on overtime and the potential loss of the specialist knowledge that a regular front of house staff team allows, then I am not convinced that you would really save a lot of money - this looks more like you wish to appear to be saving money." "The Museum is a facility central to the Town's Premier park and offers a tea room and toilets. If the museum is close during the week usage of the Museum and the park will decrease and this is likely to be followed by an increase in antisocial activity in the area surrounding the buildings." "By closing the museum the message you are giving is that Luton's heritage is unimportant and, by implication, that Luton residents are unimportant - not a great message in these times. Why not try being a little creative; instead of cutting costs by reducing staffing and closing, use some of the park area for solar panels and benefit from free power; use volunteers to run events which make the museum an even more popular place; use the park setting to gain income." "I grew up in Luton and loved visiting the museum - especially the old lady who was lace making! It will be a great shame to restrict the opening hours, as I'm sure many visitors to the park enjoy being able to drop in and see the ever changing exhibits. I now live in Warwickshire, but when I visit friends and family still in Luton, we occasionally pop in. It would be awful to see it moved to Stockwood Park, as it is further from where my friends are." "Wardown museum is a vital resource to locals in Luton and a great place to take children as an educational outing, schools use it as do families and friends" "I would be less likely to visit at a busy time" "Whilst not a visitor it seems ludicrous not to preserve the facility for the sake of £60,000. I am sure there are plenty of budgets capable of providing that sum, the Guided Bus Project for example. Luton needs facilities which are available, especially as we seek to attain City Status."

15 "I do not support proposal. The last time I was there, and it is always during the week, there were at least 20 people above 50 yrs strolling round and engaging with the exhibitions which have been most interesting. Also individuals who were obviously students on research for courses. The museum was open and welcoming and I look forward to visiting there again soon." "I would no longer be able to take visitors from the United States to my own town museum unless they timed their visit during school holidays." "I am sure money can be saved in other ways. Museums are an important part of our lives and should not be closed to the public during the week - this is a backward step and should not be allowed to happen! Children should not miss out on the opportunities we were given in our youth and also older people should be afforded the time to visit our museum during the day, even if it means paying a nominal fee (whatever people can afford) to help out with the upkeep. Please keep the museum open!" "Why close something as important as wardown park museum I used it every week maybe twice a week my mum and children love coming all the staff and collections on show are amazing. you would be mad to close it" "I think it would be a very short sighted move to close such a valuable asset to the public of Luton. When the harmony of Luton is being highlighted to close a resource that encompasses the past, present and future harmony in the area would be destructive." "For a town the size of Luton Wardown Park Museum is not a luxury but a necessity!!!‖ "Over 18,000 people visited last year on Mondays to Fridays, and all would have gained from the experience! This museum belongs to the public. A lot of thought has gone into making this splendid old building in its wonderful setting an interesting place to visit. There are suggestions that it could be given over to commercial uses - this is unacceptable. Some small commercial uses could take place without restricting the public's enjoyment of the museum. Its importance for education, history, art and various exhibitions overrides ""commercial viability"". It is well- established, widely-known and accessible. It is important that people know they can pop into Luton's museums anytime. The museum should NOT be moved to Stockwood - a lot happens there anyway, and it is harder for many to reach." "Because I see it leading towards a full closure" "The museum is a delight to visit when quiet/free of kids, during weekdays during the school term. Closing it is an absolute disgrace, and reveals a sickening lack of civic pride and responsibility within LBC." "Wardown Museum is an important local institution to which I have been attracted throughout my long life here in Luton. As such I am appalled at this penny pinching scheme to restrict access to the Museum. Living in the Stockwood area, I have been very happy to see developments at Discovery Centre in recent years. Is that next for the chop??" "For a town the size of Luton to have a part time museum is absurd. It receives a lot of praise from all that visit of all cultures. The visitor numbers are currently above those of tourist towns like St Albans. The recent exhibitions of old photographs of Luton and Recycled art, were huge successes. The current Luton Art exhibition 2011 has some wonderful examples of art by Lutonians. The savings are doubtful anyway because the building will have to be lit and heated even when shut to the public because of the staff who work there permanently. Then you would have to find fully trained staff for the absurd proposed opening times. The damage to Luton's reputation would be immense and give ammunition for the cretins who mock the town given any excuse. The Museum must be kept fully open as it is." "There must be other ways of saving money! Luton's History is important for all. There are many people who holiday out of school holidays! Elderly folks like to avoid visiting in the school holidays as they wish to avoid unruly families and noisy children - school parties are usually well disciplined and the talks they receive are usually worth eavesdropping!" "My young son is 2 years old and although in the past myself and my wife visit at weekends, we both now have more time in the week as my wife does not work and I am part time so weekday

16 visits would be better for us as a family and we would love to see opening hours same as they are now." "The Museum is an excellent and important historical social resource. I would be interested to know how much ££ would be saved by this proposal, would expect more info at the beginning of such a consultation, and that any closure plans are looked at in connection with other potential initiatives. Yes, pennies could be saved by closing the museum, but surely other services like waste collection, street lighting should be reviewed, or other avenues for funding looked at. If there is space for other functions at the Museum, no reason not to hire them out; I would be vehemently against any proposal which would impact on the Museum space or operation. Couldn't the Council look at enhancing and encouraging footfall in other ways?" "I was under the impression that Luton wants City status, hardly a prudent move to close a museum. If you want people to visit then this is the sort of place that should be kept open." "I think that the museum is a great asset to the town. It is much more accessible to families than Stockwood park as Wardown park is so popular. I visit with my family most weekends and during the school holidays. All the museum needs are more up to date exhibitions and activities geared towards children. Closure means that my family would not visit any museums in the town." "I am against the cutting back of any museum and the subsequent loss of history and culture." "I used to live in Luton and was keen to explore the history of Stopsley. I found the Museum a useful place to aid that research, particularly with locating photographs." "This would be too excessive as a first measure. A lot of older people like to visit during school term time as it allows them to examine the exhibits without children running around." "I use the museum every week the kids love it there and so do my mum and dad they love seen how great Luton use to be not like how it is now, with extremist and Nazis in our once great town if cuts have to be made then all the useless fat cats should get the chop who let this great town turn to a dump that it is today shame on you" "It is important that residents of Luton have this resource. It should be used to inform all who live in this borough about its history as well as what is happening now (i.e. the art displays and visits from the British museum)" "The museum is an important part of Luton's history and heritage. If it is closed at certain times, people will be confused and will not take the trouble to find out when it is open. So visitor numbers will fall. I feel that its downgrading to a part-time facility will be the first part of a gradual decline that will lead to its eventual closure. The amount of money saved by this proposal is tiny in comparison with the facility's value to the community. Please do not close this lovely museum which is a joy to visit and a valuable asset to the community." "No it is important to the local community and visitors from outside and should be recognised as another important part of the 'City bid'." "There are not many free indoor activities that people in Luton can do. Rather than closing the doors, wouldn't it be wiser to invite specific communities to come and meet within the museum itself during the week? E.g. there could be talks scheduled about Luton and the surrounding areas aimed at retired people - who could join in the talks and given their account / memories about Luton. Or, meetings for unemployed people with speakers from charities talking about how to volunteer. Or craft demonstrations etc." "BEFORE LONG IT WILL OPEN LESS AND LESS UNTIL IT CLOSES, I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN." "I feel the benefits in savings will be far outweighed by the loss of such a resource to a town the size of Luton. Other towns in the region such as Bedford and St Albans have their museums available all the year." "It seems to assume that most people would like to visit at weekends, but if the plans go ahead the museum will become too bus=y at those times. As a retired person I probably would stop visiting." "I prefer to visit it at generally quieter times so to gain more enjoyment from the experience."

17 "I recognise that there are budget issues. I hope that the use of the museum by children during daytime term-time will not suffer at a future date in another round of cuts. I am surprised that a town seeking city status would consider closing its centrally-located museum. Isn't this part of the range of attractions visitors would expect to be present?" "Luton deserves so much more, culturally and to reduce the time this important institution is open is catastrophic. Luton's reputation is enhanced by this wonderful building and museum. To close it means Luton is shutting not opening up to new thoughts and ideas. Why not make a small nominal charge £1 say and I am sure money will come in." "It means that many people will no longer have appropriate access" "When researching historical issues I would prefer to visit during quieter periods" "My concerns are this is very important heritage museum and I have been visiting it since my childhood, coming to see the bee hive filled me with great excitement and when I finally got there fascinated me for hours. Also the photographic archive is of essential importance for me as a film maker and in fact, I will be paying a visit to the archivist early in the New Year. Please, please reconsider as a very import public venue if closed will be sadly missed." "It is important to preserve our heritage and celebrate Luton/Bedfordshire‘s past. Any reductions to opening times will be a retrograde step and make it easier to implement further changes in the future." "It would be the first step in losing this wonderful facility showcasing Luton's colourful history." "The loss of a useful recreational place to visit. Something always to discover." "Wardown is an import resource for the understanding and study of Local History for both residents of Luton and the surrounding area. e.g. the Beds Regt section and the artefacts from the Caddington Area" "The Museum is a superb civic facility, vey well placed in a much visited park. It has character and atmosphere, as well as offering a repository for its important contents. Stockwood is great in its way, but it is less centrally placed and has its own themes. If Luton really aspires to city status, the last thing it should be contemplating is the closure of Wardown, whether partially, or as rumour has it, in a more total way. Cities - and good towns with real substance - have a range of high value architecture, interest features, arts and historical reminders. Luton is not strong on all these counts and can ill afford to lose one of the few convincing jewels in its crown, or even hide it way for the part of the calendar. Rather, every encouragement should be made for all to use and enjoy what it has to offer." "It‘s part of Luton‘s history. It‘s a wonderful old building which everyone knows. without it Luton‘s past will be lost and the people that forged it their memory will be forgotten" "A town of Luton's history, size and status should have a central museum that is open full-time. This matter should not be treated as a purely commercial one: heritage is of more than monetary importance: a museum can perfectly reasonably be operated as not for profit. Stockwood is of course of value, but cannot replace the unique value of the museum in Wardown Park." "This to me sounds like the thin end of the wedge. It also demonstrates yet again the failure of national and local government to appreciate the importance and value (cultural, historical and especially scientific rather than monetary) of such resources and institutions." "The point of a museum is that people can visit it. I sensitive to noise and would choose to visit when the children are not there. I am a volunteer at Hitchin museum and know the rich range of historical material that museums contain." "The amount saved is negligible. Luton does not have that many prestigious amenities that it can afford to loose such a well run, attractive and educational venue." "It is a lovely museum to visit and is important to the town. Closing the museum would mean children would miss out greatly and other members of the public would also be unable to experience the collection in the museum." "This is a wonderful place and not used to its full potential. It has wonderful staff and when we attend the children‘s craft sessions we have a really interesting time. Also there are nicer toilets in

18 the building on the side of the park where there are no alternatives. If more advertising was done within the park generally people would use it more. Many people I know think there is a charge for using it. If you close during the school term people will just stop going altogether." "Many Luton residents will suffer as a result of this proposal without even realising it now. This appears to be a further example of LBC gradually destroying Luton's valuable heritage and 'selling' all its available resources (green land, historic buildings) to the highest bidder. This is not the best way to save money and it seems quite shameful. Shutting the Wardown Museum Monday to Friday to make a quick buck seems quite extreme and unfair to its regular users. Please think again and first stop wasting money in other areas in Luton on short-sighted 'projects' which produce no benefits or gains for the majority." "No because I think I should be open , for all to visit any time of year" "* I refute the implication in the consultation questions that museums exist only for the benefit of schoolchildren and students. Adult visitors seeking to visit during (schools') ""term-time"" also stand to benefit from access to Wardown Park Museum. * Sections of the adult population are in a position and also prefer to visit museums/attractions during weekday daytimes because of: more frequent public transport, greater availability of on-street parking, less demand on the toilet and snack facilities on-site, lower incidence of overcrowding and over-stimulation from the ambient environment. * Total weekday closure of the museum would indirectly discriminate against prospective visitors from any of these sections of the population: part-time workers, single parents on benefit, sick/disabled (e.g. those with mobility/sight/hearing/perceptual impairments), retired/senior citizens. * Wardown Park Museum should - in view of the above points - remain open all-day for impromptu public visiting on at MINIMUM 1 WEEKDAY and the SUNDAY of each week. This opening pattern would distribute the reduction in service more fairly amongst society's different sections, than the proposal." "As a retired person, it is more amenable in numerous ways to take days out in the week." "I think it should make changes e.g. add better cafe. Make changes to get more use rather than close it" "Once you start closing down such facilities down I fear they will never recover to their former standard, and the beds & herts were a valuable resource to myself & many other family history researchers as just one example. Stockwood is very good but I feel it fulfils a different role." "There is a risk that it will reduce all visits because people will be unsure when the museum is open. We sometimes take visitors to Luton, and if they come during the week, this will no longer be possible. I don't have children, so I would have to check when the terms were. I particularly dislike the implication that the museum is primarily for children. Museums are for everyone, and making the hours and exhibitions designed for children discourages adults without children from coming by implying that they are not wanted."

Appendix C

"If the results of this survey are to be meaningful, then the questions should be worded in a neutral way. This was not the case." "I don't like the idea, but at least it is open!" "I think it would be such a shame for everyone if the museum closed during the week" "My kids and I enjoy going to the park and then visiting the museum on a regular basis. The special displays they have there also makes this a great place to visit as there is something new on a regular basis. There are not many services that are visible for my council tax and this helps me justify that cost." "The museum should remain open for its current hours." "Another crazy idea from a crazy council" "Surely the slimming back on management would be a better option than these proposals" "if the museum closes it will kill the history of Luton"

19 "Growing up in Luton in the 70's, I spent lots of time in the museum and learnt a lot about the history of the area. I learned to love social history as a consequence." "Please see comments on previous page" "This facility is a significant part of Luton‘s cultural heritage. While I appreciate that savings need to be made, to lose the utility that comes from having this museum open and available would be sad. Having grown up in Luton and visited the museum many times during my childhood I have very fond memories of it, and would not like my children not to have the same opportunity open to them." "It‘s a fantastic place to visit always something new to see and find my kids love it I no there is other ways to save money rather than shut Luton history down. How many new culture projects does Luton take on every year? I have only been in the carnival centre once and I do not know anyone else that has been there." "We all understand the need to make painful decisions in times of austerity and the Museum Service is no exception I'm sure. Unfortunately as it was paid for with external funding, I'm sure there is far less appetite to trim the services offered by Stockwood. Regrettably, it would be far more suitable to cut back at that site. It's almost out of town, accessible to far fewer people 'on foot' than the central based Wardown Museum and is in no way an alternative. I am sure the embarrassment of closing a facility 'enhanced' by the recent rebranding and redesigning into a 'Discovery Centre' won't even register on LBC's radar, but closing Wardown during term time without even considering the far less popular Stockwood is utter madness." "although I don't visit the museum during the week, I understand that some of the older folk in the area are enjoying the coffee shop and it's nice that they have a nostalgia place to go and relax - I'm quite looking forward to making use of it myself when my time comes :oD!!!" "None" "I'm sure there are other areas of the council budgets that could be looked at to save having to cut the museum hours. Consultant‘s fees would be a huge savings. Stationary, printing unnecessary emails. Councillors expenses should be looked at and unnecessary journeys. This is tax payer‘s money and must be seen to get one's own house in order first." "I refer you to my previous comments. Thank you." "Too many things are going/closing you would be better off keeping it open and using it more. Wardown Park just won‘t be the same without it." "Advertise the museum to schools in the Luton area with what you can offer them to get the groups in to visit. Then it will be beneficial to keep the museum open during the week days. Also consider putting on events/exhibitions during term time for the older generation, they will visit the museum them. Advertising and fresh ideas are the way ahead, not closure!!!" "The Museum is a font of knowledge for all the residents of Luton, be it children or adults of any race colour or creed...... it is an institution in our town, and also highly regarded by those of us who have grown up with it. My Grandparents have donated items to the museum, of which my family are very proud to have done so" "also with Wardown park when are you going to clear out the lake and reopen the boat house to the public" "Wardown Park Museum should stay where it is and open all days of the week because being so near to the town, with good public transport connections, it is so easy for children to visit safely! To move the Luton museum to Stockwood Park will very much restrict the attendance to the museum to those people who have their own transport, because all the children and other visitors will have to walk from the nearest bus stop at the top of Farley Hill, which must be about a mile!" "Winter opening hours could be Nov - Mar Thurs - Sun 10am-4pm Summer April - Oct Mon - Sat 11 - 6pm Sun 1pm - 5pm These hours would reflect times people are around in the park and would visit the museum. There should be more and better signage for the museum to encourage people to visit from the children's play area. A lot of people see the museum as a private house and do not visit that end of the park."

20 "sack the chiefs to save money" "We need to all save money. This is a responsible thing to do, it also helps safeguard other Luton Culture Activities." "This is an appalling idea, designed to save a relatively small sum of money. There is much more money to be saved from a host of other wasteful areas of Council expenditure - and Wardown Museum should remain open. As usual, Luton's history and heritage - for too long neglected and ignored - appears to be the victim of short-sighted penny-pinching by accountants who don't live in Luton, and by politicians who don't care about their town. Shameful!" "Don't make a terrible mistake and close the museum!" "The Museum is an indispensable amenity that is valued by all true Lutonians. Most of the collection has been bequeathed by earlier generations with the intention of sharing our heritage for ever with the townsfolk at all times. It is wrong that their trust should be betrayed in order to cover- up the financial mismanagement of the Town Council. Visiting the Park and Museum on a quiet weekday is a joy for the elderly, and the youngest toddlers with their parents. It would be criminal to deny them access!" "I use this service for research + we can save money in other areas" "It's pretty sad if an organisation the size of the Council, with the resources that it has, cannot run a museum for the Borough and its best idea to save money is to close it for most of the year." "The partial closure of the Museum is an easy step but one which reflects a lack of interest in the history and development of the town. Partial opening is bound to lead to uncertainty on when it is or is not open and will affect general attendance. The assumption that only schoolchildren have an interest in the history of the town is insulting to all adults." "The museum is part of the heritage of all who live within 30 miles of Luton and all Lutonians where-ever they are in the world right now. It is good to know that Luton's history is always accessible to us and will always be accessible to our children and our children's children. As a sixty eight year old I remember how magical the whole museum experience was. It would be a shame to lose this wonderful resource." "Luton Museum is a beautiful building, housing a unique collection of historical objects. The building and contents complement each other and the atmosphere within is special. One of the joys of visiting Luton Museum is an opportunity to walk around unhurriedly in relative quietness and with lots of ""personal space"" in order to reflect upon the exhibits and their relationship to us today. A busier museum might still be fun, but it does not necessarily make for a better experience! Luton Museum maintains at present a wonderful balance of activities for all ages alongside the traditional museum setting. It would be such a shame if this were compromised in any way." "The very necessary cost of running such a valuable service is very small in the overall scheme of things it is like having a well stocked fruit shop and only opening it two hours a day." "Why don't you try more fund raising events there are plenty of people that would support you even selling badges like cancer research etc and on line store with memorabilia there are lots of things that could be done" "Yes. This could be the start of the end for the museum in view of you findings if support to this proposal is agreed. SAY NO to you proposal" "Where are the savings coming from, if the museum will still be open for school/group visits? How many jobs will be affected, or volunteers deterred (many of whom could be unavailable during school holidays)? Even a modest (e.g. £1) admission charge would be preferable." "Although it would be a shame to lose the opportunity to visit the Museum during the week if wanted to, it is understandable that if visitor numbers are low or non-existent it makes sense to close and save money. However, so long as this is not a prelude to closing the Museum altogether."

21 "The cut in opening hours would affect retired Lutonians who get great enjoyment from visiting with Grandchildren, and visitors from away ,please keep our heritage in tact what little is left. NO one requires a guided bus way an absolute waste of money." "See previous section" "Provided the museum is still open at weekends then I am happy to support this proposal." "No" "I was born and have grown up in Luton. Wardwon was a place I have visited throughout my life and I took my children as they were growing up. While I accept I do not visit the museum currently a great deal it would be somewhere I would be looking forward to taking my grandchildren when they arrive. It is the place where Luton is celebrated as being special and while I understand the need for savings the relatively small amount that it costs to keep it open in its current form represents excellent value for money (30p per person) to the town. The volunteers that help to keep it open do an excellent job. I don't agree with government policy keeping council tax the same and I would be willing to pay more council tax if it meant keeping the museum open. It is far more valuable than all the refurbishment around the town hall that must have cost many times more and for which I think has been a waste of money at this time of spending cuts etc. Priorities are very subjective of course, education and the sense of roots have to be far more valuable that concrete and stone which has already been soiled with chewing gum." "The Wardown Museum is an important part of Luton, So instead of closing it down get Schools to visit, advertise it, Make it more prominent to people visiting Luton, The Stockwood Discovery centre is fine, but much is out side so inclement weather makes it not so suitable to visit" "It is somewhere to go on a rainy day." "The Museum is part of Luton's heritage and should be maintained for future generations." "Wardown is an integral part of our community to have it close for such a substantial amount of time will have a negative effect on the town. Again we're seeing the closure of services that engage the community during hard times where we should be standing together. I feel deeply saddened that it has come to this." "The diversity of Luton's population is matched by the diversity of its museums, Wardown Park Museum. Stockwood Discovery Centre and the John Dony Field Centre offer three different experiences. Making Wardown a part time museum for such a small saving when compared with the maintenance of a guided bus way is in my opinion short sighted and a poor advertisement for a town with aspirations of becoming a city." "Once this starts closing, interest will dwindle and then the whole museum could be lost forever and that would be a tragedy for the town, we are 80's and our parents also used to talk about our museum!" "Yes - keep it open & look elsewhere to make your savings!!" "Become more efficient and save money that way." "No" "Can't you stop tampering with Luton Museum? The pleasure I have had during my lifetime visiting and always finding something new and absorbing. Why are we spending all the money on a link between Luton and Dunstable when the train obviously wasn't used 40 odd years ago - why would you think it is now? A complete and utter disgraceful waste of our money" "It will be a shame to close this museum doen in term time but realistically I know I only visit occasionally and use Stockwood more with my young son." "True savings never happen, just ask the Audit commission, most are cost avoidances, not savings. Do not take any of the little money we spend on Museums. Take it from the education budget which is out of control and too large." "I am for the closure during the week in term time to help save money at this time of cuts BUT I hope this isn't going to lead to complete closure in the future. The museum has been a popular place to visit for many families over the years and has many excellent exhibitions there. My

22 grandchildren loved to visit on an almost weekly rate before they moved away. But is on their list as a must see when they visit me. Why not try to encourage children more by running history groups at holiday times. I remember my son attending one and learning about archaeology which started an interest he still has today (35 years later)" "The museum if a very important part of Luton, both from an educational and historical point. It should therefore remain available for everyone to visit." "I think that improving the space for weddings would be nice but as so much was spent on the main room making it secure I would not support that room being remodelled. I think the military gallery and ex kitchen would make nice wedding rooms or the room to the left of the front door. It's a pity you never built a modern bit onto the house (though I didn't approve of the glass building idea when it was floated some time ago)." "I feel history and heritage issues are being sacrificed for more ""trendy"" and modern cultural matters. All are important, but one should not be sacrificed for the other. Whilst there may be many younger people not so interested in Luton's history, we must allow full access to it both here and at Stockwood Discovery Centre." "Think of the local people as you are already moving the swimming pool at bath road to the outskirts why do the same with the museum!!!!!!!" "no" "I think in a time where other councils are selling off amenities Luton borough council should be commended and praised for what they are doing, the discovery centre is a joy and Stopsley Park is brilliant, im really pleased that Luton borough council are spending money on things that are educational and helpful to children! well done" "A museum should be open every day" "Luton's Heritage should be preserved in more than one place. This is one that is known and loved by many, is easily accessible and central." "Wardown Park Museum is a fansatic resource for Luton. For a town that struggles with its public perception, why close something that actually portrays Luton in a positive light? Wardown being so cloe to the town is in a great central locations for people to visit, and is a proper museum. Keep Wardown Park Museum open." "Stop pulling down old buildings and creating a mish mash town of no desire. Town planners need a history lesson. Ugly buildings will always be ugly buildings whether or not they are cheap to build. If Luton is a 'Victorian' town, let it bask in Victoriana!" "no" "I no longer live in Luton (my home town) but have had many lovely visits to the museum over my 60 years. From when I was a small child, during my school years and then taking my children and grandchild there. It is a part of the towns‘ heritage. Please don't let even more of our history slip away. Many people visit on the spur of the moment or if they are visiting the park it is part of the day out. Children love it. Please don't close it down. Elle Chambers" "Would be a shame to see the museum close" "The questions in this misleading survey suggest that it is designed to buttress the proposal to shut the museum, not to truly elicit the views of the residents and users. Critically, it doesn't state how much would be saved. How many people in Luton would declare that they and their families would be 'affected' by the loss of the Luton Festival or the Council's planning services? Does that mean that the Festival should be abandoned or Planning reduced to a skeleton service that just does enough to cover statutory requirements? Perhaps this is a moment for the Council to ask what it wants from a local museum service." "If you close it I will never vote for a Labour council in Luton again." "no" "Our children are now grown up and have children of their own and still visit the Museum as do their children 0 and they no longer live in the Luton area"

23 "Wardown is a lovely museum, somewhere I like to take friends from out of town when they visit. The staff are always lovely. It is something we should all be proud of." "PLEASE DON'T CUT YOUR MUSEUMS! IF WE LOSE THIS WE WILL NEVER GET IT BACK!" "It will be a massive loss for Luton" "I have been a regular visitor to Wardown Museum since childhood (some 40 years) and it has been (and continues to be) an important part if our leisure time. To foist this proposal on the people of Luton and the surrounding area at a time when people need low cost leisure opportunities is reprehensible. LCST would do well to remember that they have a wealth of history embodied in Wardown Museum, it is an asset, not a burden. Cultural heritage, once lost, cannot be replaced and this would be a short-sighted and damaging move for LCST, the town and its people." "I am ashamed and disgusted by the Trusts and Councils actions. Sack a council consultant - that will make the savings in one action that would keep the museum open." "I think it is disgusting to close during term times. I have taken quite a few old Lutonians there weekdays who really enjoyed the visit" "I guess my main worry is it may be the thin end of the wedge. Reduce hours, reduce unplanned visits which reduce numbers which then makes it less viable leading to more closures etc." "I like the museum and I like to make a visit on a day when I have no appointments, its quiet and I find a relaxing atmosphere." "We enjoy visiting Wardown Museum with my son and niece, we only go during the weekends and far too busy in the park for us." "A good source of knowledge, information and artefacts will be lost. Families and schools will lose the benefit derived from the museum asaprt of education visits." "I like to take friends to the museum. Luton is requesting city status, I am sure the lack of culture (a museum) will affect this. A city without an Art Gallery and Museum???" "Not only does the closing of the museum affect my family, it affects the whole community." "A lovely museum which should be open and available for visitors -daily. Other towns manage it" "As a mother of a pre-school child, I value the opportunity to be able to take him to visit during week days." "Families need time together doing lovely things, e.g. going to the park and visiting the museum. My son and I love going to all the museum in Luton." "Luton has little heritage and tasteful buildings. The museum should be more heavily promoted and children should be educated at school and home regarding the positive aspects of the museum. I can see this iconic building being sold by LBC and turned into flats/students accommodation/hotel. We need to lift the profile of Luton." "As I work shifts it would be difficult to visit at other times. Charging an entrance fee would be a better way to raise funds." "Enjoy popping into the museum when you feel like it, to have a look around and a nice cup of coffee." "Would not have the freedom to visit the museum at 2, have got used to over the years from childhood to present time." "Being a local family we always bring visitors to Luton Museum, having no car Stockwood is out of the question." "We can not become a city if Wardown Museum is not open all week." "There will be nowhere to take the grandchildren" "We have attended all toddler sessions. We often pop in with friends/ visiting parks. It‘s a place visitors can learn about local history. My family is 8th generation Luton. Please don't lose our history!!!"

24 "Not really very much: -Enjoying the opportunity of it being there. -Hopefully any reduction in service will not involve job cuts." "- As we live nearby (LU2 7HW) the Wardown Museum is convenient to stroll over there, especially with visitor s, on a weekday. - I have attended some of the ""one off"" sessions for adults on a weekday afternoons (e.g. speaker on Greeks, the local archaeologist session) and presumably they would disappear. -However on weekdays in term time there are usually only a very few other users at the museum so it does seem fairer for this to be cut than some other local services. -One concern is whether less availability would make Wardown be perceived as ""2nd Museum"" with Stockwood as premier. This would be a great pity." "It would greatly detract from the experience of a visit to Wardown Park. If anything the museum needs enlargement and much more local history on show. Better lighting would also help.(Stockwood 'Discovery Centre‘ is also spoiled by poor lighting)" "We accompany large groups of people with schizophrenia and we come to the park, museum and cafe about once a month. It would have a real negative affect on us." "It would reflect on the amount of exhibitions you would be able to old. Also this could impact the building and could slide into a disrepair situation and make it vulnerable to vandalism." "My granddaughter George Sell opened the gates to No Park and House, it has given so much Lutonians so much pleasure, to close term times is wicked and save very little." "Seems a shame to make the museum less accessible, although I appreciate that I will still be able to visit as part of a pre-booked group." "This was my first visit, there was a lot to see and it would certainly be worth a second visit if it was open in the week as well as weekends." "As long as the museum remains open to allow people to visit, especially at weekends then it is okay to me." "I really love the museum and so do my children- we'd e lost without it." "Since I am approaching retirement the weekdays are becoming more attractive. Many other people must be in the same boat." "I found this museum online when I was researching my family, if it wasn't there where would I find info about the Bedfordshire Regt." "I certainly mind the records kept here" "We would miss it very much. I am a Lutonian and have lived here my whole life. Wardown Museum has always been a place to visit, to learn about the past. My children and grandchildren all love coming." "It removes any flexibility as to when we could visit the museum. Is there a hidden agenda to close this completely? As a tax payer I'm quite happy to pay for this facility, this is part of our heritage." "It would reduce the value of the park itself as a destination to go to with pre-school children during the week; when out with young children it is good to be able to access toilets etc. I think there is a huge potential to generate income from better catering facilities within the museum or somewhere else in the park." "It would have the effect of excluding me and preventing my visits on a 'When I need to research' basis. If Luton gains 'City Status' then how can we advertise that for the majority of the week we do not have a museum? A great pity." "I visit a local convent once or twice per month and I visit the museum at lunches once per month. I find it invaluable...to have a break at midday. It is a vital part of life as to have been a Lutonian all my life over 40 years now, from childhood onwards." "Firstly, as my partner works at the museum full time our household income could be cut, resulting in a real struggle for us financially. Also I feel that closing the museum during the week will be a real shame, as I among many others visit it regularly and really appreciate the fact it is open Tues-Sun."

25 "My husband visits the museum with our 3 year old grand daughter and will be most upset if it closes as she lives in Milton Keynes and comes to us every Friday." "This proposal would contribute greatly to Luton‘s ‗negative‘ image as a place of limited culture. This proposal is not likely to save money (any amounts likely to be saved are not given!). Wardown Park Museum holds important elements of Luton culture and history. This proposed closure would directly reduce the exposure of 28% (or some 18000) of the current visitors (your numbers) to these civilizing (or in other words, these enlightening and refining) elements. This proposal is thus a direct contradiction of various proposals / programs which appear from time to time aimed to ‗improve the image of Luton‘, to bring more elements of culture to Luton, to propose Luton for city status, etc. There is no indication that this proposal would reduce cost and this is the only reason given for it. (1) The proposal states that the Museum remains available to pre-booked groups, school groups and organised activities during term time as well as continuing to open weekends and school holiday times. This will require that staff be available, security be maintained, etc. These costs will at best be only slightly reduced by the proposed refusal to admit other visitors. Moreover the ill will generated by the refused admissions will contribute to the ‗negative image‘ of Luton culture. (2) Will a reduction of 28% of visitors reduce Museum costs by 28%? There is no indication of the money contributed by these 28% of visitors. What is their contribution to donations / purchases? (3) The suggestion that the Museum could be used for community and commercial activities such as weddings is ill conceived in the current economic climate given the likely costs of necessary ‗improvements‘, if such changes to the building and structure are even feasible. (4) Who initiated this proposal? In the context of ‗reducing costs‘, the salary and position of the person making this proposal is of interest, especially in view of the letter in Luton On Sunday of 11 Dec. 11 regarding councillors‘ pay and expenses." "For a town that has aspirations for City status, this proposal shows the poverty of pride in Luton's heritage. This is a resource that should be available to everyone and is an interesting tourist attraction. For the small amount of money saved, there is a potential greater loss in other ways." "People also donate artefacts of local significance which will remain in cupboards if the museum is no so accessible. You owe it to the people of Luton to keep the Museum in Wardown Park and maintain its current opening hours. A Town going for City Status needs to demonstrate its commitment to local history." "Again, I would want a costing that demonstrates the saving - it would need to be a good one to be even worth considering. Also, I question where you would get sufficient staff of quality if you are using casuals. My own experience is that the current staff knows the history of the building, and love the museum and it shows in the level of their customer service. You would be better to apply for funding invest in giving Wardown a decent tea room so it could make income from providing refreshments" "I would favour an increase in the offer to the public. The cultural Trust could offer a better cafe facility with upgraded toilets and encourage new business and increase income to make the Museum sustainable." "do not close our museum" "This is a false economy. Without this facility Stockwood Park will be even more underutilised." "Times are hard but if you keep reducing provision of services you will not save money you will merely create a bigger problem that will grow." "I think it important to keep the principal town museum available at all reasonable times. It is important to those who find it inconvenient to visit at weekends (e.g. shift workers) and for those who prefer a quieter experience without large numbers of children running around. This is particularly important for older people. The figures presented show that there are still significant numbers (and a reasonable percentage) of visitors during the periods proposed for closure, and depriving the townspeople to access this vital part of our common heritage is a seriously retrograde step. I also have concerns as to why the question regarding preferred visiting time is restricted to just a single box to tick; it may well be that many people will visit both at popular times

26 at weekends and holidays (e.g. with family and children) and at other times for quieter contemplation. It seems this question is designed to deliver an outcome that however many people may still wish to visit at quieter times, if they are more likely to come at a busier time that fact is not to be recorded. This introduces a bias by omission and would appear to disproportionately load the questionnaire in favour of supporting the weekday closure. This is a matter of reducing choice, and I am opposed to it." "It would be bad ad we like to visit with our granddaughter when we are in the area." "none" "Less places to go and visit with the baby." "Would have to go find other places to go and visit with the family." "1.Practical impact! NONE 2.Other impact! Disappointment that such an example of Depiction of an aspect of English 'History' should not be so easily available, Luton has things to be proud of so push it!! 3-Why is it that anything worth while seems to be first in line when 'savings' are to be made? 4.Re:Q1 I live in 40+ miles away in North Bucks" "None for me but I feel a great loss for people of Luton, if I lived nearer I would visit quite often." "No" "Everything these days has to make money to survive, so come on Luton - stand out from the crowd and be proud of the museum and all it has to offer and subsidise it please!" "This seems like it is being done at the expense of the community rather than as a sensible solution through lack of interest" "No" "As a pensioner I value the interesting exhibitions and art displayed at Wardown Park Museum. It has given me a great deal of pleasure and information on history and art - so important to see works of art live, not on a flat screen all the time. The interaction between visitors is marked because there is time to discuss. I suggest that our age group is just as important, we can pass on the younger ones are new knowledge found quietly at the Museum when they are at school." "Although I chose weekends- that is due to work commitments and when we have grand children they also come in on Mondays, so it would be good to maintain that. Also however as a teacher I thought it was great it is a great educational resume and should be available on weekdays as well." "It is a local place to visit to see things of interest e.g. permanent Exhibits, ever changing new exhibitions. Also a welcome cuppa is always appreciated." "I am a carer that looks after old people, I bring them to the museum, as a place for them to socialize and feel part of the community." "I look after children with various learning and thy thoroughly enjoy the facilities available currently. Due to their anxiety we cannot go at peak or weekend times due to crowds and loud noise." "My parents, I and my children have all been visiting the museum in Wardown park for years, and having the museum open week days during term time has been ideal for my wife whilst looking after our youngest children-we would not and do not visit during the weekends/school holidays." "My wife and I visit this establishment regularly and have done so for 34 years. If it was too close during the week we would not be able to come anymore. We feel that this marvellous building is a tribute to Luton and is a valuable part of Luton and is a valuable part of Luton‘s history. Let it stay the same for future generations." "This would be extremely inconvenient to me." "I take great pleasure in bringing my grandchildren (pre-school) to the museum. Someone is now at school but more to come." "Wardown museum houses the heritage of Luton, and its people. What right do the council have to decide when and how we should enjoy its benefits- Stockwood Park should be sold to a

27 leisure company as that it is all it is- a recreation playground for the education and enjoyment of the people of Luton and its many visitors. Wardown Park museum must remain open and avaible at ALL times." "I would very much miss coming to Wardown Park Museum. The exhibitions are great and it is a quality venue than SDC as that now appears to be a children‘s playground." "A sad reflection of current times. Can't the hours available be divided more equally between Stockwood (open all the time) and Wardown (already closed on Mondays)?" "This facility should be open for everyday use. To keep it open a small charge would be appropriate. People will stop attending then you would be looking at closure for good. This is unexpected." "The museum is a large part of our local and culture heritage, we have lost so much already. We need to keep this for the current future generations to learn from and enjoy." "Would be most annoying, and be a real shame." "I would be devastated- I have visited regularly since opened 44 yrs I am now 77 yrs old." "The savings quoted are minimal to the scenes being spent elsewhere by the council, and where is the savings if it remains open for school visits? To important of a building and service to the community to take action to close on weekdays." "Have you considered anyone other than children? Today mostly old people were here." "We visit the Tea shop every Wednesday, if you close we can't do that. I'm not very pleased." "As Stockwood park is now a children playground it would leave Luton without a museum, so it would be very sad if Wardown was to close or restrict its opening time. There are other age groups in Luton that appreciate a quiet visit to a heritage site without the onus being on children‘s play time." "The museum is a valuable service for people with young children, I also think that it is appreciated by those who are not working as it is a venue that is informative, interesting and free. It is also very accessible." "I strongly hope the service is not reduced as I really enjoy visiting and love everything about it." "As foster carers it is an ideal place to come to visit where they can look around the museum, have a drink and snack (would be nice to have a larger tea room) as well as run around the lovely park, I feed the ducks and watch the squirrels." "If it shut down it would not be fun and you would not be able to visit it no more." "Wardown Park Museum is very special to us we visit regularly and always receive warm welcomes and see new things." "-I come to pre-booked talks and either before or after visit other parts of the museum, this would not be possible under the proposed closure. -I am retired and in common with others not visiting with children avoid going to places they'll be in the school holidays. -I visit with relatives during the week, they have other commitments and wouldn‘t be able to come out weekends, I'd still come but not as often. -Stockwood and Wardown are not interchangeable, they offer different experience." "We visit and bring family and friends from abroad who once lived in Luton. Very seldom do they come in holidays or weekends. We like the museum to reminisce in peaceful surroundings over a lovely cup of coffee. When else in the town can you do such a thing-whilst learning at the same time? Luton has so little to be proud of these days- let us keep the one shining beacon - Wardown Park Museum." "As the mother of a young child, services such as the museum are a vital development and it would be a terrible shame for her and many other children to loose such a lovely facility educating them on the local area." "-I prefer not to go in the museum when children are on holiday -I do research regularly at the museum so the lights and heating will have to be on. Staff have to let me in, supervise me and answer questions, so what savings are there? I don't understand."

28 "I would rather a nominal fee e.g. £1 be charged than risk the museum. Investigating Stockwood Museum as a venue for weddings and corporate events because of its site near the M1, its wonderful site and size as well as it has the catering facilities in place as a way of raising funds. Or controversially, reduce the consultants in Luton Council to save money." "This is an important and accessible part of the town‘s heritage and history and should be available to all of us who live in Luton and those people who visit. It should be available to all, whatever the cost to us taxpayers. I believe Luton BC have a responsibility to the residents of Bedfordshire to promote the history of this great town as much as possible. Limiting the opening hours of 'our' favourite gallery of in the Town's history simply serves to relegate our own pride in its history. Please keep Wardown open and available and most of all keep it relevant. Wardown Park is a wonderful inner town park, a place which many other towns would be proud of, the museum is an integral part of Wardown Park." "I understand the need to save money but it would be a shame to restrict local people the access to the museum when they wish. Perhaps a pay freeze for high earning council members may help save money?" "Consign the idea of weekday closure to history!" "I'd like to say I can't believe that LBC would consider this - but unfortunately it falls into a track record of neglect and avarice, evident in their attitude towards Bath Road etc" "For Luton to reduce or lose access to this superb museum would be criminal neglect by the council: heritage is a major factor in creating and maintaining a community. Luton has much to be proud of, the museum is a celebration of all that and without it, yet again, the community spirit will be undermined. Whoever came up with this plan needs to take a good long look at what makes a town a town and gives it its identity" "The museum should be kept open, the hours it is now During school term time is the best time for retired people to visit" "The Museum should be more widely advertised. The school work, exhibitions, talks and collections are absolute jewels in our towns make up and widely envied. Let us learn from the past errors Luton has made and keep what we have, not destroy it." "Not everyone has pots of money to pay for social events so it would be good to keep a free or low cost outing up and running" "See previous answer! There's little point in having a museum that no-one can visit. The proposal discriminates against older visitors, who are morel likely to visit during weekdays. It also creates the view that the museum is solely an educational tool; and is likely to encourage people to see it as an optional facility, not something at the heart of the community." "I may not have seen these proposals until late, but question the time allowed to feedback." "Please keep the museum open - it is an asset and the staff is so friendly." "I am often unaware of new exhibitions and talks due to erratic delivery of local papers though occasionally I see a mention in a guide. An email alert service might help—monthly?" "This should be a full time resource for all members of the community not just children." "I am concerned that behind these proposals are the plans to change this into a conference and marriage venue. How sad. Come on guys, surely you who work for and have such close ties to the Luton community, its culture and history are not prepared to let this happen. If you are, it is a very sad state of affairs. I urge you to rethink. I wholly object to the following question. It appears that you are only interested in the views of young people. Everyone's opinion is important. Whilst I wholeheartedly support the views and concerns of younger people and strive to ensure that we do everything we can to involve them in all of our society / culture / politics, we must not forget everyone else." "I will be heartbroken if the museum was to change its opening hours and also if it was to change its function, I don‘t agree with the possibility of weddings etc. its just so wrong I have been visiting the museum for 45 years and it would be another thing Luton has lost were it to close, please think again"

29 "It is a great shame that access to the museum should be sacrificed - it is a valuable institution and should always be accessible to all. Perhaps non-essential services could be looked at again?" "What has not yet publicly been announced (as far as I am aware) is that it is intended to turn Wardown Museum into a Wedding and conference centre. The Museum will therefore be lost to the people of Luton forever. It will require a room for the wedding, conference rooms, a kitchen, dining room etc so very little space will be left for the museum. How will you cope with 200 wedding guests and weekend visitors to what is left of the museum? They won't be able to cope with the numbers, parking will be an issue etc... I have visited Wardown Park Museum for many years and enjoyed taking my son who has gained much knowledge about the local area from his visits. If we lose this valuable resource we will never get it back. I believe your plans are inconsistent and out of tune with what the people of Luton want... This just awful and I would never support any plans to down grade or close our Museum... Can you justify this?" "Clearly it would be a real shame to have to shut during the week - thus alienating people who want to visit at this - perhaps quieter time. I also wonder whether if this change of hours does go ahead - what will be next?" "If you need to save money, why not give some space over, not loose the resource all together, surely the buildings and its surrounding would be a be a selling point for people who were looking to run events there." "see previous comment" "Think it would be a shame to have weekday closures when it's such a great opportunity to showcase our town. Children visiting in the week would surely encourage their parents to take them at weekends so vital to have weekday opening in my opinion..." "I feel that there are many ways in which the shortfall in funding could be addressed such as: - Better promotion of events and services - Better use of premises to increase revenue, such as letting to groups and conference use etc - Volunteer staffing at less busy times" "Why does the last page say you are interested in hearing from a 'range of different young people'? Are you not interested in the views of older people?" "No" "I feel the museum should be open longer during the summer and cut the opening hours during the winter. This was how Stockwood had its opening hours in the past." "DONT CONSIDER CLOSING IT AT ALL" "The museum holds a lot of memories for a lot of people. Its the only place you can find out a bit of the history of the area" "NO" "I do feel that the museum does not have the visitors that it had over the past years because of Stockwood Park and its other facilities, but I think that in nice weather a lot of elderly people go to Wardown for a day out and do indeed enjoy the place. I feel that it is a better place for children to visit as it shows them of the older times in Luton that will teach them of Luton Town past. I am not really too sure of how I feel but I do remember so many happy times when I walked around with friends years gone by. I am now 83 so I did go quite a lot to the museum. Swimming at Bath Road, then onto the boating in the Park then ended up in the museum. All in the same area and of course most enjoyable. Maybe it will be the elderly who would like it kept open, although it is a good idea for the school opening times as it could still be an educational lesson with a day out for the children. I do hope this answers your questions about the closure. Mrs Muriel allsop from slipend." "It is difficult to see how the regularly held exhibitions would be mounted if the Museum was to close for the majority of the week. And.... How mature students would be able to use the facility if it is only available at weekends." "Don't restrict the town's use of this valuable resource." "The Museum is a place of information about the History of Luton and is not only visited by people that live in Luton but visitors from other Countries and Towns in England. Generally when

30 visiting other Towns and Countries the museums are the first port of call. Take this facility away and what is left? Luton has a great history and in this day and age some of it seems long forgotten. Please do not close during the week keep it open. Over the years I, along with many others have contributed many items to the museum related to the hat industry and the manufacture of bobbin lace" "Please do not diminish the life of the town by such proposals. If cuts we must have, please find other ways to make them. I argue strongly for lower pay differentials in the cause of social justice, but reduction of top earners' salaries in LBC could also contribute to keeping Wardown open as at present. I note also that the airport continues to bring Luton huge revenues still." "It is vital that authorities recognise the considerable importance and value of museum collections. When I worked in Hertfordshire and the value of natural history collections there was pointed out the immediate response was ""Well we will sell them then""! It seems that in some quarters there is no appreciation of any value in anything other than in monetary terms. The Herbarium at Luton is the second oldest in the Country. The insect collections are also of considerable SCIENTIFIC importance and value. There is a very good article entitled Why Museums Matter by Martin Godfrey in the latest issue of British Wildlife (Dec 2011, Vol 23 no 2) It is well worth reading and should help your cause." "For a conurbation the size of Luton this proposed closure is a disgrace; it especially does not convey an enlightened outlook to its own history and traditions when it has ambitions to become a new City." "I would like current displays at the museum to be more widely advertised. I live in Barton and come in for particular exhibitions e.g. the exhibition of old photographs." "It is a beautifully preserved building in a lovely setting and one of the few things that Luton can be proud of. It would be a great loss to future generations should it be turned into either a conference centre, wedding venue or such of which there are many others available. Well presented, up to date museums are much harder to find. We realise that we are part of the older generation but we are the ones who have steered our children and grandchildren to love the place." "The tea room could be made more of - as there are no other sit down facilities in the park. Older people and mothers with children I think would use this if there was a bit more space." "If the Museum needs to make money then perhaps hiring out the Museum in the evenings for special occasions, e.g. conferences, weddings, could be an option. A small cafe or restaurant or coffee outlet, e.g. Costas, on site may be another option. Stockwood Discovery Centre had originally had an excellent restaurant serving good quality food. My wife and I used to enjoy it there. What happened?? I appreciate that, unfortunately, Luton may not be that kind of place yet unless it is truly sold and marketed as such. I hope that LBC uses this opportunity to maximise the long-term potential of Wardown Museum for the benefit of Luton taxpayers, rather than to just dilute its original purpose and significance for purely financial gain." "Shula never be shut any time off year," "I am a working-age adult with mobility and perceptual disabilities. I visited this museum in the last month with a mobility-impaired retired parent - on a weekday! We wouldn't have visited at all if restricted to a weekend day." "Please try to keep the museum open to the public 1-2 days per week." "The question re when I visit, weekend, weekdays, school time is loaded as I do not have a regular pattern. You could add free wifi so people who have rep type work can also pull in for a break and quick log on" "I feel for a town of Luton s size especially as they hope for city status not to have a museum of this calibre open full time is a disgrace as they are hoping for city status. There are also rumours of it becoming a venue." "The next question says you want to be sure you are hearing 'from a range of young people': this is insulting. Don't you want to hear from everyone? I would like to make a formal complaint about that question, and would like an answer. [email protected]"

31 "As a retired person, I often visit the museum en-route to the town, combining it with a walk round the park or walking on into town to shop or go to the library. I do not visit town at weekends, so I would be far less likely to just pop in, because I would have to make a specific visit. Also I would be less likely to revisit something. For example, today I have visited the Art Exhibition. I will probably pop in again to revisit it, but wouldn‘t come especially to visit on weekend. Also if you have friends visiting during the week how can you bring them to visit? I have known this museum for over 55 years- it would be a tragic if it became inaccessible. You won't gain visitors if you close it during the week. You'll lose visitors." "We'll be sad we bring visitors" "How can Luton even consider Weekday closing if its central museum, heritage site and all that goes on, when there is very little history heritage left? City Status laugh on" "It‘s our Heritage to Luton People. I remember coming as a young girl and my children still love to come, Relatives that leave and moved away from Luton still come back and lover coming here." "How can you have a city without a central museum? How could we qualify for other museum exhibition on loan which have provided such interest in the past? Can council have honour? Are there more regains to the towns condition, the items are on permanent exhibition." "It would be a great shame if the museum was closed during the week which discourages me from coming to the park, a viewing of the local artists‘ work of some of my greatest pleasures." "It would discourage me form coming to the park" "Being open in the week during term time was invaluable when I pre-school children" "Just another Facility LBC proposes to close down." "As nearly retire people- we could go at any time, and also welcome the opportunity to take away weekday visitors. We understand the need for cuts but would one more opening day be viable?" "We would be very sad if the museum closed, we all love coming here as the staff are so friendly and helpful. This museum has been and part of Luton and been history for so long. Please Luton Borough Council cut cost elsewhere." "Lovely cup of Char" "We visit regularly with service users from a recovery unit and this change would impact greatly on our planned visits here which are really enjoyed by everyone." "Our service users would have a lot less enjoyable places to come out to. It is as important part of their recovery." "I would visit other places but would not like Wardown Museum to close down because it is very good to visit." "It would have a great impact if you closed in the weeks, loads of people come here with their children in the week including myself and have with all of them. You would never. People will stop using it and it will just be another thing closing down in Luton." "A reduced service would be better rather than none" "YOU SHOULD NOT CLOSE IT DOWN PLEASE! From a person you do not know...‖ "I would visit at that were convenient but I think it would be a disappointment because we would not visit as much." "I would visit at other times but it would leave ma and my family with nowhere convenient to visit and would be a sad loss for me and the community in general." "The bonus with the museum opening hours are that you can visit the museum any time without having to plan.‖ "Coming during the week for a more enjoyable visit as it is not crowded and all the exhibition can be seen at leaving without all the crowds and noise why not open for 20's 3 days a week instead of complete close down during term times." "I live outside of Luton but have valued the opportunity to research family history through archives held here and occasionally attend the advertised talks. School Holiday times and

32 Weekends would not be suitable for this. (I live in Coventry 'The herbert' and the local history centre are providing excellent facilities- to aspire it?" "The museum would be too crowded at weekends. It‘s a pity that our heritage is not to be on view to local people at all times." "I like taking the children to the museum because they like going there to learn about the history of Luton and looking at all the other interesting things they have on display." "Mourn the loss of an excellent museum. What a waste of valuable information and locked away. How can a bid for city status be justified? You have to admit 'We haven‘t got a museum open mon-fri to the public of the city' how pathetic. I wonder what your future visitor numbers will fall at?" "Disappointments" "Most of the week day visits to Wardown park include a visit to the museum expect of course for Mondays. Monday closures are annoying." "1- Practical Impact! NONE 2- Other Impact! Disappointment that such an example of depiction of an aspect of English history should not be so easily available. Luton has things to be proud of PUSH IT 3- Why is it that anything worth while seems to be first in line when 'savings' are to be made? 4- Re: Q1 I live 40 miles away in North Bucks." "None for me, but I feel a great loss for the people of Luton, if I lived nearer I would visit quite often" "Myself and friends visit wardown regularly especially during the summer months and would be greatly inconvenienced if the museum was closed during the week" "Would greatly detract from our enjoyment of visiting grandchildren as they always enjoy the museum and its activities, also friends and myself attend talks held by staff their" "If the museum is closed from Tuesday-Friday my visits will be curtained and as a council tax payer this is not acceptable. In fact its a disgrace that weekday closure of Wardown museum is even being considered when the council is wasting money on a grided bus way which the majority of tax payers do not want" "We would be very sad as we love the museum, the staff are so helpful and friendly the week time is essential for pre-school children and it‘s a great beginning to their education, Please don‘t close it down weekdays." "Wardown Museum is apart of Luton‘s culture history - It should not be closed." "My children would miss the treat of visiting such a child friendly Museum. The staff are helpful and friendly unlike some other local places." "This is a valued community facility that I have accessed throughout my children‘s lives, I feel that it would be a real shame to my grandchildren as they reach the ages when they start enjoying this wonderful facility." "IT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE PEOPLE OF LUTON, FOR THE PEOPLE OF LUTON. CRIMINAL TO STOP THE ACCESS FOR THE PEOPLE OF LUTON." "TERRIBLE SHAME" "Disgusting to withdraw such a facility." "We enjoy taking visitors to Luton to the museum to show the rich history of the area. Awful to lose such a facility." "It would be a great shame to close as it is a fantastic place to just pop in as a family or just when the children want" "How can folk visit on holidays who want to study? Luton has so little to be proud of don‘t close the museum" "My mum takes me don‘t close the museum I like it very much I like the soldiers." "College students need the term time." "I like to visit when it is quiet, why cant Luton have pride in its past with Vauxhall and the military history"

33 "My family very much enjoys visiting the museum. An educational service will impact on the younger members of my family who have large amount of fun whenever they visit." "It would no longer be the museum we need to study" "It would not provide my need to study don‘t lose the museum its someth9ing to be proud of." "How can you close down Wardown Museum? I loaned Victorian family Christmas cards, do I get them back" "I have greatly enjoyed using the museum to school project such as milir=tary and life in Luton. Terrible if this valuable resource is deprived to the public" "Other museums are refurbishing lace galleries. Exeter. Aylesbury. Luton is known worldwide don‘t lose it. How can we visit if its not open" "It‘s good to look about in quiet times for us older folks I would have to think twice. Please don‘t close it down I have known it for 60 years." "I travel a log way its so much easer in term times surely there are other venues in Luton for weddings in Luton but no other Museum" "Children will suffer mostly. This facility gives children to learn. Now if this facility to visit the museum when they like to go they will not gain any knowledge they get y visiting the museum" "This would be a great loss for the community" "Sadly would probably be visiting less if opening times are restricted week ends are less convenient." "It would be very sad as my children love to come here and wonder around also at Christmas activities are fantastic and we look forward to it every year" "It would mean my family could no longer enjoy the museum, which we only discovered it today, would be a massive shame" "It would mean avenues created would no longer be explored in my local area." "Staff are so helpful when I have questions about Luton history, where else can this be found? A town must have pride in its past Have you thought of a small entrance change?" "I am surprised this is even being thought about for wardown, Stockwood Beafars better venue for wedding or conference with a good restaurant there" "Please don‘t do this is a wonderful amenity the people who have proposed this shave not thought it through the loss to the public, we bring your overseen visitors who love it, will be incalculable" "The museum would be a great loss we bring visitors which have family history in Luton then men love the military gallery" "The centre is a great place to come, the only one in walking distance from our home, it will be a shame if it was closed during the week." "from the visits quoted, if you only open fully during school holidays and all the people come you would have 400 per day visiting- People would get with not being able to view items properly (and move) I would give up going. 13 weeks x 7 = 91 days 39 weeks x 2 = 78 days 169 days foe 64,000 people = 400 people per day" "Not having the museum opened for everyone to visit in the week, you are not encouraging people to enjoy what there is to offer." "I can't begin to describe the impact you are threatening the history of Luton"

34