THE North Craven Building Preservation Trust, which owns The Folly, in Settle, has said it is seeking a trustee to join its board and an honorary curator to support the museum housed in the 17th century, Grade 1 listed building.

Originally built by wealthy lawyer, Richard Preston to house his family and business, The Folly is now home to the Museum of North Craven Life, the Folly Coffee House, Artisan’s Gallery, Heritage Discovery Centre and a dynamically changing programme of exhibitions and events.

Through a two-year Heritage Funded project, the North Craven Building Preservation Trust is committed to working with the wider heritage and creative industries, inviting artists, poets and creative practitioners to be inspired by our places and our objects as a catalyst for driving forward the organisation’s plan to make the Folly a hub for heritage and culture; breathing new life into this extraordinary space.

2019 is the Folly’s Year of Curiosity and all of the exhibitions have been designed to inspire discovery and conversation.

Mel Cookson-Carter, Heritage Development Officer said: "We have somehow lost our sense of curiosity. Everything is disposable and only in recent years have we begun to look at keeping everyday objects as statements of how we live now, in readiness for the museum of the future. In-fact, one of the most talked about objects in our year-long exhibition is the little Bero baking book.

"Such a humble item and yet it has created so many connections between different generations of visitors, all of whom remember having a copy in their cupboard at home. This is what our work is all about."

None of the work that the Trust is able to do could be done without the generous support of its forty active volunteers, trustees and the members of its newly formed Supporters’ Group. The group was established in June and the Trust hopes that it will develop into the main fundraising arm of the charity, which relies on donations, grants, sponsorship and income generated through the coffee house, gift shop and admission fees to continue its work. For an annual donation of only £20 members can visit the Folly as many times as they like to see the changing programme of exhibitions, they receive a quarterly newsletter, car window sticker and discounts on events.

The Trust continues to develop and adapt and are now looking for trustees to join the board, particularly a treasurer and a trustee with fundraising and development experience in a cultural environment. They are looking for an honorary curator too, someone who can support the museum and curate its diverse collection and archives.

Jennie Pitceathly, the newest trustee to join the board said: "I would encourage anyone who has the right experience to consider becoming a trustee of a small charity such as this. It is challenging yet gratifying to contribute in this way to our communities.

"As funding and grants get more difficult to access, charities and trusts rely upon getting the right skills and creative expertise on their boards in order to make things happen and to continue the vital work that they do."