We have just heard about Barnet Council s budget cuts for the next financial year – April 2008 which will have a very serious effect on Church Farmhouse Museum. In essence one member of staff will have his hours cut by half and the Museum s opening hours

We have just heard about Barnet Council's budget cuts for the next financial year - April 2008 which will have a very serious effect on Church Farmhouse Museum. In essence one member of staff will have his hours cut by half and the Museum's opening hours will be reduced from 34 to 21 hours per week.

As Friends of the Museum we are horrified by this proposal and feel that function the Museum provides is wonderful value for the small amount of money required to maintain the current status quo.

The Museum is an enormous asset to our community and the Museum community in general. It is very well run by an enthusiastic team who give generously of their own time as well as their regular hours in initiating events, e.g. the Maze, organising regular exhibitions, visits to schools and outreach work.

We are surprised and disappointed that a Council which proclaims itself a leader of regeneration of the suburbs and expresses the view that Barnet is an ideal place to live, can even contemplate such an idea. The Museum fulfils this wish; it is a heritage building set in pleasant surroundings, with interesting displays and excellent exhibitions.

The establishment of the Virtual Tour of the Museum and the Friends' website have drawn the attention worldwide to the Museum and consequently many visitors. To implement the proposed measures would deprive the Museum of a large part of its attractions as well as confuse visitors with non uniform opening hours.

We urge residents to write to their Councillors requesting Barnet Council not to implement these cuts, but rather increase its funds to maintain its current staffing, allow urgent repairs to the fabric of the building and give the Museum a new lease of life to continue to flourish and provide a wonderful resource for us all to visit.

Elizabeth R. Lawrence

Chairman of The Friends of Church Farmhouse Museum

c/o 107 Wentworth Road,

London,

NW11 0RH

020 8455 1691