Newquay Museum

Evolving

Over the last twelve years Newquay Museum & Archive has grown in size in respect of its collection. With huge amounts of donations relating to the history of Newquay and many of the towns social groups and organisations who have ceased to be depositing their archives with us. We too are under a great deal of pressure with just a small number of committee members trying to run the museum as well as an Old Cornwall Society.

As we see the future Old Cornwall Societies are generally slowly diminishing with an aging membership and in danger of failing, a number have recently folded. There are now so many other interests for younger people we too have struggled for active members to carryout the work needed and engage with projects. Gone are the days when we held events and activities in which which members supported the finances and work of the archive.

At the end of this year both Len (Acting Chair) and Jane (Acting Secretary) will stand down from their roles and the committee of Newquay Old Cornwall Society. Len has been Chair since 2014 in what is supposed to be a three year period and Jane as Secretary for a similar time. Both are committed to the archive and museum but the work of running the social membership alongside that of the archive and museum is now too much. Other committee members also find themselves over committed. Len has agreed to remain as President of the Society following on from Liz Carne. 

Your committee believe it is crucial that the hard work done by volunteers in amassing a wonderful archive over 80 years remains in Newquay, intact. Should the Newquay Old Cornwall Society fail then the trustees would need to find a home for the archive and museum artefacts. This would be a huge job and could see the collection broken up and scattered. Some primary and important documents and images would be acceptable to Kresen Kernow. Other museums and archives would likely accept other parts of the collection. Sadly a great deal would end up being skipped. Any breakup of the collection would be a tragedy and your committee is looking to ensure the preservation of the collection in Newquay. Although this scenario is highly unlikely in the short term we do need to look into the future and consider the best route to take for the archives long term prospects.

From a financial point of view the Newquay Old Cornwall Society has always supported the archive and the setting up of the museum in 2014. However now the situation has reversed with the society now being supported by the income received for the museum from grants and projects undertaken by a few overworked volunteers. This is clearly unsustainable. Without the need to support the archive and museum the society could continue with its talks and activities through its membership fees and funds raised through raffles and entry fees to talks.

The committee has also looked at saving some £200 per annum by withdrawing from membership of the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies. This costs £3.50 per member and we are required to call ourselves an 'Old Cornwall' society. The cost and what is now an adverse name requirement in the modern world is somewhat onerous cost wise and difficult name to sell to potential younger members. Considering this is done with a heavy heart but all options for us to viably continue sharing Cornwall's cultural heritage in Newquay must be investigated. The society could continue as an affiliated member of the Federation.

Our research shows that many organisations, especially museums, are now converting from charities to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) This type of organisation is far more able to obtain grants and project funding than a mixed charity such as we currently have with Newquay Old Cornwall Society. 

To help ensure the continuation of the social membership and activities of the Newquay Old Cornwall Society and ensure the archive and museum collection remains in Newquay intact the committee are proposing the following.

1. A CIO is set up to acquire the current collection of the archive and museum with its own trustees and committee under the banner Newquay Museum Group

What would be involved would be the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation to lease or transfer the archives to the CIO so that over the next 12 months we can work to separate the museum/archives from the NOCS. There would therefore be two committees/Boards of trustees. THE CIO would then look to grant funding to establish a museum exhibition space within the town and additional storage facilities. 

For the NOCS monthly talks would only have to cover the costs of the talks and other society activities not the archive/ recording elements as now. NOCS would be able to borrow from the archives to put on displays should they wish to do that - either at monthly meetings or for local displays if they so wish.

The Museum Reserve account would be used to set up the museum - released on receipt of related expenses by the Treasurer of the Society into the CIO bank account. Some of these monies were windfall monies via the COVID grant scheme and held with the purpose of establishing a physical and digital museum/archive.

2. The Newquay Old Cornwall Society remains with a separate committee and perhaps affiliated to the new CIO, Newquay Museum Group 

This would enable both to concentrate on their own activities and improve opportunities for the new Newquay Museum Group CIO to raise funds and seek out new opportunities. The Newquay Old Cornwall Society committee would no longer have to concern itself with supporting the finances of the archive and museum.

We are asking our members to vote on this based on the membership as at April 2026

Firstly on the splitting of the Society and the setting up of a separate CIO. If this is successful then arrangements can be set in motion for both parts to continue with the plan. Continuing as a member of FOCS and minimising any increase in fees is the likely outcome.

If this is unsuccessful then we must look to increasing income to support the Newquay Old Cornwall Society membership activities. As this would also continue to be responsible for the financial and running of the archive and museum the first option would be to increase fees. These have remained unchanged for well over 12 years and now are totally inadequate for the needs of running a society and the archive and museum. Members should be aware that at the moment the cost of rent is heavily subsidised by our landlords. Whilst there is no indication that this would change there is the potential that a further £4,000 due per annum to retain the facilities we currently enjoy.

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