18th May 2018

Press Release -

Exciting times for Surrey Heath Heritage Services

Surrey Heath Museum is to become part of a new 'Heritage Hub' in the centre of Camberley, due to open in June.

The Museum will join with Surrey Heath Museum Action Group and Surrey Heath Archaeology Trust to create the hub in the Heritage Gallery of The Square shopping centre.

The museum space, on the ground floor, will involve a ‘mini museum’ display, recreations of a WWI and WWII home, and include a shop and research area.

There will also be a temporary exhibition area - planned exhibitions include ‘What Lies Beneath’ (June to September), followed by ‘The Battles of the First World War’ (October to December).

The existing Heritage Gallery will move to the upper floor, with displays for local groups and societies.

Heritage staff will be frequently present and available at the new hub.

The existing Heritage Gallery unit is currently closed for this transformation to take place, and will reopen on Saturday 30 June.

This will coincide with Camfest, the community arts and crafts festival organised by the Camberley Society which runs from 29 June to 1 July.

Surrey Heath Heritage Services are holding a public meeting where they invite members of the public to come along and find out more about plans for the refreshed Heritage Service on Thursday 24 May at Camberley Theatre at 7pm. All welcome!

News of Surrey Heath Museum's involvement in the 'Heritage Hub' follows the decision taken by the Council's Executive earlier this year to adopt changes proposed for Surrey Heath Heritage Services.

This followed a consultation about the future of Surrey Heath Museum and Heritage Services, which ran for several months at the end of last year.

Feedback included the view that the previous museum site at Surrey Heath House on Knoll Road, Camberley was not in the right location.

This site was subsequently closed to the public in mid-April, with plans for the future development of the service to include more temporary exhibitions and events at different locations around the Borough - bringing heritage into the heart of our community, and helping reach new and wider audiences across Surrey Heath and beyond.

These include plans for a Heritage Services display in the Main Square of The Square during the summer, and a Surrey Heath Museum 'showcase area' in Camberley Library from July.

As a result of these changes, research enquiries will be put on hold until June 2018.

The museum’s popular events programme will continue, including toddler/children's holiday sessions, to be held in the Heritage Hub, and heritage walks. The popular Reminiscence and Education Programme also goes from strength to strength.

More info: www.surreyheath.gov.uk/museum