It is with considerable regret that the Wallingford Museum Board of Directors has reluctantly decided to close the Framing the Future project. This comes as a bitter blow given the early enthusiasm and success with gaining planning permission. The Board is very aware of the sterling efforts put in by so many to help with fund raising by donations, sponsoring pegs and beams. We were also very fortunate to be offered so many local oak trees, many of which were felled and stored in anticipation of a summer 2010 build.

We sought funding from over 180 organisations of which only a handful offered any hope at all – and then only with the possibility of very limited amounts which fell very far from the initial target of around £380,000. Indeed, many funds were closed to new applicants as the severely diminished returns from interest meant that they had very limited amounts to distribute. This led us to conclude that the only possible route was to go for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant which, however, is heavily oversubscribed and takes a period of around two years to complete. The departure of the project manager last May meant we would have to proceed with a commercial build with paid professional advisors. The total sum would increase to over £500,000.

In order to proceed, we have also had to challenge the ownership of the design which has been registered by the former project manager in his own name and we had hoped that this would have been settled by now. However, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) which adjudicates on the matter recently advised that it could take several months to complete the process. The outcome is uncertain and could lead to incurring significant costs if we were to lose (the initial fee was met by the directors personally). We have dropped the case.

The Board has reflected on the issues and has concluded that, in the current economic climate, the chances of being able to raise sufficient further funding, including an HLF grant, are very low. The delays could extend such that the planning permission may lapse (it is valid until March 2013). The felled trees could be usable but there is a serious risk that they will deteriorate without further investment in their care.

As charity Trustees, we feel it would be irresponsible to run the risk of incurring further costs, given the overall uncertainty of the project.

We have been careful to keep funds raised for Framing the Future separate, although we have spent sums necessarily on the project (mainly felling the trees and transporting the timber, commissioning the designs and securing planning permission). The Board will be taking steps to comply with their obligations as charitable trustees of the Museum. Advice has been sought from the Charity Commission and we will write again to our sponsors and cash donors when this is to hand.

The Museum has had thirty years of success and we aim for it still to be in Wallingford in thirty years time. The needs of the Museum will be reviewed and other affordable options considered to address at least some of the issues. The Annexe was a great vision, but regrettably, as it turns out, at the wrong time.

We thank all who have supported us and hope they will be understanding.