Museum budget shouldn’t be cut

It is difficult to believe councillors are considering a £50,000 cut to the museum budget as Maidstone Museum, the Tyrwhitt Drake Museum of Carriages and the Queen’s own Royal West Kent Museum are three of Maidstone’s most important assets and deserve to be supported by all council members – whatever their political affiliation.

Cllr Emily Fermor is correct when she points out museums, galleries and heritage sites have a proven ‘beneficial effect on people’s mental and physical health’.

This is especially true for the elderly who regularly attend lectures and special events. A day at the museum for many is one less day living in isolation without human contact – an increasing problem in our society.

Museums also offer extensive school and after-school programmes which bring to life elements of the national curriculum by engaging students with actual artefacts and specialist knowledge beyond the confines of the classroom.

At present, Maidstone Museum and Bentliff Art Gallery offer a wide range of events and special exhibits of interest to all ages.

These are organised and presented by an already overstretched but dedicated team who have had to endure successive budget cuts already.

Not only do museums, galleries and heritage sites enrich people’s lives, it has long been acknowledged these cultural venues make a significant contribution to local and national economies.

I sincerely doubt that allocating a portion of the museum budget to planning enforcement will result in any positive outcome. Maureen Green Maidstone