WHITCHURCH Silk Mill is celebrating after being awarded a status as an accredited museum.

The Silk Mill has received the recognition from Arts Council England, who, along with their partners in Scotland and Wales, set the standard for museums across the country. The Arts Council were impressed by the archiving activities and the plans that they had for the future of the Mill.

The accreditation comes after the Silk Mill received a multimillion Heritage Lottery Funding which is helping to regenerate the Mill’s Georgian buildings and Victorian machinery.

Christine Beresford, Chair of the Mill’s Trustees, said: “It has been a long-held ambition for the Silk Mill to get Arts Council England museum accreditation. We couldn’t have done it without the help of our many volunteers and we owe them a big debt of gratitude.

“The Silk Mill has played a large part in the history of Whitchurch for two hundred years, and many local families have historic connections.

“It’s always our aim to involve the local community in the Mill’s activities, and our plans for regeneration and redevelopment will help the prosperity of the town and see it firmly placed on the map.”