NEW gateway signs and roadside banners have been erected advertising Tolson Museum to local people and prospective visitors.

The signage is part of the efforts of the newly formed Friends of Tolson Museum & Ravensknowle Park Group, local councillors and partners to raise the profile of the museum.

The idea is to boost the 30,000 visitors it already attracts each year.

The signage which proudly names Tolson as Huddersfield’s Museum’ attempts to raise people’s awareness that Tolson is in fact a museum dedicated to the telling of Huddersfield’s local history.

Organisers and supporters feel this is not widely enough known.

The development is a further boost for the museum which has, with the help of the Friends of Group, recently secured £98,000 from Arts Council England to improve facilities.

And supporters have been buoyed by the £8,000 channelled via the area committee to pay for the signage and a new community garden.

Clr Linda Wilkinson, (Almondbury), said: “The erection of the new signage is further visible evidence of the steps being taken to raise the profile of the museum.

“We think it’s really important that we do all we can to get across to people again that Tolson is Huddersfield’s Museum, a place dedicated to recording and sharing the history of our area.

“We think that re-branding the museum in this way will help to increase awareness of what the museum offers and will bring even more people through the door each year.”

Ann Denham, chairman of the Friends of Tolson Museum & Ravensknowle Park Group, said: “We are very pleased with the new signage and the other grants and funding we have secured from Arts Council England and Kirklees is certainly helping us to move the museum in the right direction.

“As Clr Wilkinson says, Tolson is a fantastic resource to have in the area.

“From the architecture; to the grounds; to the wonderful historical exhibits which tell the story of Huddersfield, it is a place that we want to support and secure for future generations to enjoy.”