Valence House Museum

The Friends of Valence House

The Friends of Valence House organisation, which is a registered charity (number 1003487), was formed in 1989 to raise funds for and to support the work of the Museum, Archives and Local Studies Centre at Valence House.

The Friends hold fund-raising events, including Second-hand Book Sales and an annual Winter Sale. Between 2001 and 2007 (when the house was closed for building works for two and a half years), just over £16,000 was raised from the Book Sales. These sales will re-commence on Saturday 18 September 2010.

In the past members have also worked in the Museum café on Saturdays and helped at Museum events amongst other things. Over the closure period a number of Friends helped with the conservation of exhibits ready for the re-opening. With the re-opening Friends will continue to help Valence house in many ways.

A programme of talks, social events, lunches and visits to places of interest are arranged by the Friends' Committee for members. Meetings are held in the Valence House Visitor Centre.

The Friends also visit places of interest by coach in conjunction with Barking Photographic Society.

Over the years the Friends have provided funds for many items, including map cabinets, a display cabinet, sliding shelving, a freezer for the café, album folders, a laptop computer, a screen, digital projector, a Homage Album, a conservation report on the Fanshawe paintings and the restoration of two of these as a trial for future work.

The Friends have also provided funding for a number of items ready for the Museum re-opening.

Ecology Group

The Friends of Valence House Ecology Group meet for visits to local nature reserves and other places of ecological interest, and hold lectures. It is useful to have a car for these visits, but car-sharing is in operation.