Question 1: Tell us a Little bit about yourself?
My name is Richard, I am Chair of the Cynon Valley Museum Trust. Alongside chairing the board of trustees at the Museum. I am Vice Chair of the Hirwaun and Penderyn Community Council and Chair of Accessible Caring Transport. I have a broad range of hobbies but the two main pastimes are cooking and watching Manchester United (don’t judge me)!
Question 2: What made you decide to first become a trustee and then chair?
I wanted to become a trustee because I believe in the Museum and what it offers the community. I’ve used it as a training venue since my company opened in 2007 and felt it was time to give back.
I became Chair in October 2020 when our long-standing Chair stepped down, Sue was an excellent Chair and I wanted to take the opportunity to carry her good work on.
Question 3: What is your favourite thing about the museum?
My favourite thing about the museum is how diverse it is, I spend lots of time there and have done for fifteen years or more and I still find different things to look at. I also like the fact that it can be lots of different things to lots of different people. Whether it’s meeting rooms, art galleries or taking sanctuary with a quite cup of coffee in our café there’s something for everyone.
Cynon Valley Museum has three galleries, a permanent historical gallery and two temporary galleries with a busy programme of exhibitions through the year.
Question 4: How important is the Cynon Valley Museum to the Cynon Valley?
The museum is vitally important to the people of the Cynon Valley, it’s a facility for community run by a community established trust. We strive to promote the history of the Cynon Valley in an accessible and friendly way. We also aim to be open to the needs of our patrons, the people that come through our doors. They are the most important factor in the work we do.
Cynon Valley Museum, Reopened in 2016, thanks to the support of the Cynon Valley community
Question 5: What would you like to do as chair? Where do you see the Trust in a few years time?
Stability and Sustainability is a key factor in the trust’s development. I would like, as Chair, to see the trust come out of the pandemic and re-establish its place in the community. Then to go on and develop into the accessible centre for the community offering a range of services and activities bringing everyone together.
Question 6: How should people get in touch if they are interested in joining Cynon Valley Museum’s Board of Trustees?
If anyone would like to become a trustee and help steer our wonderful charity they can in the first instance email our Museum Manager, William Tregaskes on manager@cynonvalleymuseum.wales. A meeting will be set up with Will and one of our current trustees and we’ll talk about the trust and the ways you could get involved.
