PREPARATIONS are being made for the reopening of the Green Howards Museum next week.

The Richmond-based museum, on the illustrious history of the Green Howards Regiment, will re-open on Friday, July 10.

The museum is the first of the town’s visitor attractions to re-open following the Covid-19 lockdown and is marking the occasion with the launch of a new special exhibition.

“We’d been planning 'Treasures in Store' for several months before anyone had heard of coronavirus, but with everything that’s happened this year, the theme of the exhibition now seems particularly apt,” explains the museum’s curator and director, Lynda Powell. “Just as we have all been wondering exactly when we might emerge from lockdown, our exhibition is all about those hidden objects from our collection, who spend their lives sitting in our stores just waiting for their chance to step out into the world again.”

The museum’s collection contains many fragile items which could be damaged if put on permanent display. Special exhibitions enable the curatorial team to showcase objects not normally displayed.

The new exhibition provides an opportunity for some objects to be seen by museum visitors for the very first time.

In line with visitor attractions throughout the country, the museum has undergone an extensive review of its procedures to ensure it can operate in a ‘Covid Safe’ way; ensuring the wellbeing of visitors and staff.

Admission is now by pre-bookable timed slots, with the museum’s capacity significantly reduced to allow social distancing of two metres for visitor comfort and peace of mind.

Specified routes around the galleries are marked and the screens and hand sanitiser stations are in place.

“We have run a full risk assessment as required to make sure we are able to open confidently and welcome visitors again,” adds Lynda. “As an independent museum, we are reliant on the income from admissions, donations and shop sales to be able to keep operating, so it has been an incredibly worrying time over the past three and a half months. We have no idea if people are going to be willing or able to venture out to visit heritage attractions this summer, but we know that if they chose to visit us, and we really hope they do, we are ready to welcome them.”

The museum is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm with admission slots available for bookings up to and including Monday 31 August. Visit greenhowards.org.uk to plan a visit and book your tickets.