SIR — Readers may be aware that the refurbished Watchet Boat Museum and new Visitor Centre opened just a couple of weeks ago, to much local acclaim.

It is early days, but the new facility holds the promise of tremendous success. In the first week of opening we saw 1,000 visitors through the door.

On Saturday we held our first sea shanty evening as part of the Watchet Summertime festivities. It was a wonderful evening, and very special to be able to listen to traditional sea folk songs within the context of the boat museum.

Over 100 people came, and generous donations to our funds were made and for which we are very grateful.

The boat museum is housed in what was the Brunel-designed old goods shed for the terminus of the Exeter and Bristol Railway, built in 1862. It now holds the largest collection of flatner boats in the country.

The repairs to the old building were significant and mean that it is now a light, bright and draught free place to visit. The large glazed windows bring much needed light into the building.

The museum exhibits retain their authentic and quintessentially Watchet and West Country feel but have been reorganised to help make the visitor experience more enjoyable.

The addition of the visitor centre means that there is also a new shop and visitor information available as well as facilities such as a kitchen and toilet for staff and volunteers.

What we now desperately need is volunteers to help supervise the museum.

We are looking for willing volunteers to provide a presence in the museum and help to explain some of the exhibits (training and information sheets provided!).

We are open 10am to 4pm but volunteers are welcome to do as much or as little as they wish. If your readers, or anyone they know, are interested in helping and enjoy talking to people, it would be wonderful to hear from them. Please contact me at [email protected] or call on 01984 634 242.

Bruce Scott,

Chairman,

Friends of the Flatner Association.