I WAS concerned by statements made by Ron Freethy (LET, January 20) and Mike Clarke (Letters, January 23) about the proposals for the future of the Lewis Textile Museum in Blackburn.

Ron Freethy suggests that "Lancashire seems happy first to let our heritage gather dust and then to fade away altogether," while Mr Clarke makes an erroneous statement about closure of Queen Street Mill in Burnley.

Regarding Queen Street Mill, I must advise that the county council, only this month, agreed to opening hours for the coming season, which would include Saturday opening from May to September - a step forward in making this unique piece of Lancashire's textile heritage available to visitors at a weekend.

However, it is not only at Queen Street Mill, but also at Helmshore Textile Museums, both within easy reach of all the residents of Lancashire, that the county council has made strenuous efforts over the last 20 years to save, preserve, maintain and make available important parts of our textile industry heritage. Together, these mills - now the Museum of the Lancashire Textile Industry - are seeking designation as being of national importance, an aim which I hope that both your correspondents and readers will support.

In recent years, a Museum Registration scheme has made it a principle for museum governing bodies - their council members and officers - to take note of the efforts of other museums in their area. This my colleagues on the county council have done.

The people of East Lancashire have contributed to the growing success of Helmshore and recent reopening at Queen Street Mill. I invite both your correspondents and readers to see what has been made possible at Helmshore and Queen Street by the county council, with active support and financial contributions from a whole range of national bodies.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR DOROTHY WESTELL, Chairman, Library, Museums and Arts Committee, Lancashire County Council.

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