Memorandum submitted by the Berkshire
Family History Society
As Chairman of Berkshire Family History Society
I would like to add my own thoughts on this matter. Ivan Dickason
has sent you a submission prepared by our Committee, but I feel
this is such a serious matter that I would like to add my own
thoughts.
Berkshire Family History Society work very closely
with the Berkshire Record Office and I am aware that the Berkshire
Unitary Authorities (who jointly fund the Berkshire Record Office)
have drastically reduced the budget for the Berkshire Record Office
for this year. The consequences of the budget cuts all ready imposed
are in my view very serious.
Our local County Record Office has had to reduce
its Conservation Programme as a result of a reduction in funding.
This has resulted in documents already acquired not being protected
and those that are in a poor state of repair not being made available
to the public. The increased demand for archives by the public
is impacting on their condition and the lack of funds for repair
and preservation means these documents will be lost to future
generations for ever.
With less and less funds being made available
our County Record Office has had to drastically cut back on their
acquisition and cataloguing programmes and training of their staff.
Lack of funding has resulted and will result in
the future in the loss of our Heritage for ever.
In the Committee's first Report to the House
of Commons you said "Once destroyed, heritage assets cannot
be recreated." I totally agree with this sentiment and feels
that, in the case of Berkshire's records, archive material is
already being lost.
I note that one of the stated interests of your
current enquiry refers to the impact of the 2012 Olympics on Lottery
funding for, eg, archives.
The 2012 Olympics should have no effect on Lottery
funding for archives. There is no rationale for any cuts in prospective
Lottery funding for archive projects because of the 2012 Olympics.
I understand that there is a likelihood that £410 million
from non-Olympic Games Lottery Money being diverted to the Olympics.
Bricks and mortar can be built & built again.
Archives once lost have gone for ever. Our Ancestors will never
forgive us if we let this happen.
28 September 2006
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