BECK Isle Museum has welcomed thousands of visitors through its doors since the attraction opened 47 years ago.

And with the museum’s jubilee fast approaching, Beck Isle is continuing to develop and evolve with the help and support of local people, volunteers, sponsors and donors.

Rodge Dowson, the museum manager, said its role in the community was more important than ever as a place where residents and visitors could take a look at a world no longer seen in everyday life.

“Many people thought it wouldn’t work, but we are very much an alive museum,” he said.

“The organisation was started by local people as a community venture, and we are still here at the heart of Pickering today.

“The life of the museum is our volunteers, past and present. Currently, we have 120 volunteers. We are much more than a museum today.”

Rodge said it was a nationally-accredited museum and also a registered charity, which relied on public support, grants and donations to continue.

“In 2010 we became a local employer and we now employ three part-time staff,” he said.

“As an organisation we would like to provide more local jobs, but that is very reliant on income.

“We are very pleased that more local people are visiting and getting involved with us now.”

Rodge said Ryedale had some fantastic heritage sites and attractions, many of which work together in partnership and are proud of what they offered.

“Beck Isle delivers a range of outreach talks and slide shows to schools, care and residential homes and local organisations.

“This season will see us at some of the local shows, including Ryedale and Thornton-le-Dale, working together closely with Ryedale Folk Museum,” he said.

“We still have a lot of work to do including continued restoration of our farm machinery collection, conservation of precious local heritage like the 1888 Pickering Sunday School quilt.

“We rely largely on donations and sponsorship for this important work.”

Rodge said that over the past four years, Beck Isle had worked with local secondary schools to develop interest in local heritage, life and work-based skills for young people.

“The costs connected to this type of work are substantial; the running costs of the museum today alone are around £60,000 per year,” he said.

“We are constantly changing and evolving to deliver a great experience and contribute to the local economy through tourism revenue, provision of volunteer opportunities and jobs.

“Ryedale is a great place to live, work and visit and we often don’t realise what a great time we can have by visiting and enjoying local attractions and places, supporting locally is helping to save our own rich heritage for the future and benefit people’s lives in many ways.

“Beck Isle has a range of options to support the vital work we do here from fundraising, sponsorships, legacies, memberships and donating time or skills as a tradesman.

“We would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us and continues to do so and we look forward to celebrating our 50th with them.”

Anyone who would like to help or would like more information about Beck Isle Museum should phone Roger Dowson on 01751 473653 or email info@beckislemuseum.org.uk