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Our Heritage Centre is dedicated to Staithes and its inhabitants stretching back hundreds of years.
It contains thousands of photos, memorabilia and artefacts devoted to fishing, ironstone mining, alum quarries, lifeboat stories, Captain Cook and his apprenticeship in Staithes and his travels, maritime models and timepieces, natural sciences, our artistic heritage and the railway.
The centre is a focal point for the very rich and important social and family history of our amazing village. It was originally created by Reg Firth and his wife, Anne, in the handsome Grade II listed Methodist Chapel on the High Street.
After Reg died in 2018 his family wanted his legacy to continue to be an asset, benefitting the community, the village and the surrounding area.
Colin Pyrah has been deeply involved in shaping the UK’s museum and heritage industry. In 1985 Colin won the contract to design and build the world famous Jorvik Viking Centre and has since been involved in over 1,000 visitor attractions and museums worldwide. He was awarded an OBE in 2012 for ‘Services to the UK’s Museum and Heritage Industry’. Colin is a trustee of the Whitby Museum.
Caroline Hawley started buying and selling antiques as a teenager, before setting up shop in East Yorkshire. Since 2000 Caroline can be seen working the rostrum with her husband John at their auction house in Beverley with regular antique and fine art sales. Caroline is also a well-known face on many BBC antiques programmes including Flog It! and Bargain Hunt.
David Linley moved to Staithes eight years ago after a career of twenty four years in Logistics. He runs the Endeavour bed and breakfast and occasional pop-up restaurant. He has also been a volunteer driver on the community bus the Cobble Courier. As chairman of the Trust he was instrumental in forming the charity to secure the future of the collection for the community.
David Milnes worked in healthcare for many years before developing and opening Staithes Gallery and Staithes Art School with his wife Allison. He was delighted to be asked to join the trustees in 2019 and has been inspired by both the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the progress which has been made.
Val Lake has had an extensive career in the NHS, holding positions in clinical, management, service improvement, leadership and national project work. She also has 10 years’ experience as a charity trustee for Middlesbrough and Stockton organisations and successfully raised funds. She lives near Staithes, loves the museum, and she even had Whitby relatives who sailed with Captain Cook.