National Lottery funding boost for popular York attraction

A museum outside York has secured a cash boost of nearly £250,000 to improve public access to its extensive archive.

The Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington, near York, received £249,227 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to upgrade storage and documentation, making it easier for visitors to explore its collection of wartime artefacts.

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Sarah Maultby, collections officer at the Yorkshire Air Museum, said: “This funding will enable the Museum to upgrade its collections management system and install bespoke storage, designed for the specific needs of the collection.

“There will be opportunities for volunteers, students, local groups and schools to take part in events and activities, allowing more people to engage directly with our cultural heritage.

“In the long term, the project will build skills within our volunteer team, to carry on improving the documentation, care of and access to the thousands of objects at the museum.

“These tell important stories about the RAF and history of flight.”

Housed on the former RAF Elvington bomber base, the museum holds thousands of objects and documents, including Second World War pilots’ logs, original uniforms and flying gear.

The funding will also support outreach projects and community collaboration.

Jonathan Brewer, director of the Yorkshire Air Museum, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, our Collections Project will allow us to make our incredible archive more organised and accessible.

“Every item tells a powerful story: from mascots and charms taken on flights by aircrew as good luck tokens, to Wartime Logs kept by Prisoners of War.

“With this generous funding, we can truly make the most of our collection.”