The Mapping Museum research project was created to look at the increase in the number of museums in the UK. As part of this project, Terry Gilligan, Alan Heasman, and John Dymond were interviewed about the Aldbourne Heritage Centre.

Explore more about the Mapping Museum project here and read Gilligan, Heasman, and Dymond's interview below:

Interview summary

Names of persons being interviewed: Terry Gilligan, Alan Heasman, John Dymond

Location of interview: Aldbourne Heritage Centre, Aldbourne, Swindon, Wiltshire

Date of Recording: 21 November 2018

Recording Length: 01:18:11

Name of interviewer: Dr Toby Butler

Description: Aldbourne Heritage Centre is concerned with the history and heritage of Aldbourne in Wiltshire; displays include the Aldbourne Cup, a pottery vessel dating from 1500BC; a collection of bells made in a local bell foundry and various aspects of farming, local industry and the social history of the village

Summary of main points in interview: Museum trustees Gilligan, Heasman, and Dymond discuss how in 2007 the District Council decided that a unit of public toilets in Aldbourne could no longer be funded, and handed its upkeep over to the village.

The building was converted to a youth centre and internet café, then in 2013 a group formed with the intention of turning the space into a museum. Each discusses his motivation for becoming involved in the project: Gilligan is a bell ringer with a deep interest in the history of the bell foundry; Heasman was a newcomer and curious about village history; Dymond had a profound interest in genealogy and local history.

About 7 per cent of the village have joined the heritage group, and its talks and walking tours are popular. Some 400 Americans a year visit pursuing the "Band of Brothers" connection: a nearby US Airbase connected with the 101st Airborne Squadron during the Second World War. The subjects describe how the collection was built up with donations from local people including bells and a substantial photographic collection from the village Photographic Society. They have been supported by Chippenham History Centre and have received training in conservation, advice on setting up the museum and news of grants and events. The role of the museum support officer has been important. The Centre is developing its collecting to include quite recent ephemera which they feel will be useful for future generations.