A COLLECTION of memorabilia and artefacts dating back 200 years could be lost to Malton and Norton unless somewhere to display them can be found.

Sid Woodham and John Stone have been collecting items related to the history of the two towns since the 1960s. Over the years they have amassed thousands of items from local shops, mills and breweries before they were demolished, as well as photographs, postcards and other documentation.

But now the pair say unless a permanent display site can be found they will be forced to sell the items.

Mr Stone said: “This is our last attempt to find somewhere to show some of the things we have collected.

“Neither of us is getting any younger and we need to make a decision so we have given ourselves a deadline of next March before the collection is catalogued and sent to auction rooms.”

Mr Stone, a member of Norton Town Council, said they would like to see a heritage centre where people from both towns could see their history.

He said: “Look at Beck Isle Museum in Pickering and the Ryedale Folk Museum. They are full of similar items, so why can’t we have something like that in Malton?

“Some of the items are priceless and need to be on display for everyone to see.

“It would be ideal for a committee to be formed and the collections saved for future generations to know what happened in their two towns. Unless that happens, everything will be sold and disappear for good.”

Mr Stone and Mr Woodham have offered to donate the collections to Malton and Norton for free, providing they are put on display in the next year.

Mr Woodham added: “We know Malton Museum is facing closure but a lot has happened in the two towns since the Romans left.

“We want our collection to benefit the towns which are lacking in a display of their social history.”

Mr Woodham said he had been collecting items since he was 12 years old, when he was given a microscope for his birthday.

“I became interested in objects and where they had come from and over the years my interest in social history and the interaction of people, businesses, trades and professions has grown,” he added.

“I now have a comprehensive collection which would provide hundreds of items for a heritage centre for people and schoolchildren to come and look at.”

Mr Woodham said they had previously approached both town councils for suggestions of how to use the artefacts.

He said: “They were always very enthusiastic about what we have but did not want to get involved. And when we went to Ryedale District Council they suggested we donated things to other museums. But these things need to be kept in Malton and Norton.”

Mr Stone added that they were sorry Malton Museum was facing closure but theirs was a different situation.

He said: “The artefacts from the museum will be stored and in the near future, when new premises are found, they will be unpacked and put on display. But our collection will no longer be available because it will have been sold.

“It is now up to the people of Malton and Norton. If they want the history and artefacts of their ancestors to remain in the towns, now is the time to act.”

Anyone who is able to help should phone John Stone on 01653 600373.