Sir, – Upon reading the latest Richmondshire Museum Winter 2011 newsletter, I was saddened to read that the efforts of the local museum committee have failed to be recognised with the award of a Heritage Lottery grant to create a new gallery/workshop/office in the rooms of the Frenchgate annexe obtained recently from the district council.

After the museum committee visited the local lottery office in Leeds with the correctly filled-in paperwork, (which was evidently very time consuming as well), they were very disappointed after finally being informed, “that their application did not meet with our published criteria for funding”, whatever that means!

So what are these Heritage Lottery funds for? I thought it was for the purpose of helping to keep museums open? Evidently not.

As a Richmond man born and bred, I’m really proud to be a Friend of Richmondshire Museum, which is excellent viewing and full of interest in every detail, especially when it comes to local history of Richmond and area. Let us hope that that funding can be soon found elsewhere.

ROLAND BRAMHAM Willow Crescent, Richmond.