Llangollen Museum was officially re-opened by the area's MP yesterday (Saturday) evening after being closed for a long period to allow the installation of a new roof.
Becky Gittins told a large gathering of supporters and friends of the much-loved facility that supporting museum leaders with their bids for the funding required for the work was the first job she tackled after being elected last summer.
She said: "This is a very special event for me. They were the first to write to me and this was the first piece of casework I did when it looked like the project might have been in jeopardy.
"I am thrilled to be here this evening to officially declare the museum open again and to be in the presence of so many friends and in such a vibrant community."
The new roof was urgently required after many years of troublesome leaks.
The museum's Dave Crane outlined the many enhancements to the building the new roof project had made possible, including improvements to the displays and a new kitchen and toilets.
A stairlift had been fitted up to the first floor display area and still to come are a new CCTV system and improvements to the website.
There was a loud cheer and applause when he said one of the most significant of things that had happened during the closure had been the museum purchasing the building from Denbighshire County Council.
He thanked a long list of people and organisations who had helped in various ways with the project, starting with the museum's own volunteers and team member Sue Evans who had helped prepare two major submissions for funding.
Funders for the project, he said, included the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Community Ownership Fund, the Denbighshire Key Fund, the Clocaenog Wind Farm Fund and the Welsh Government Collection Management Capital Improvement programme.
Llangollen Silver Band played as the evening's guests mingled and explored the revamped building.
Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards was unable to make it to the re-opening but sent a message of best wishes.
She said: "Sadly, I was unable to attend the re-opening of the Llangollen Museum due to unforeseen circumstances.
"I’m very much aware of the sheer hard work and determination undertaken to save this much-loved museum in the heart of the town which cannot be underestimated. It is a glowing testament of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.
"I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks to everyone involved with this project. Da iawn pawb."
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