Dr Brian Hinton MBE Chairman, Julia Margaret Cameron Trust shares this latest news. Ed
The Dimbola Museum and Galleries team has been closely monitoring advice from the government on the current Covid 19 outbreak, and in line with that, we have made the painful but necessary decision to close the museum to visitors from tomorrow, Wednesday (18th March) until further notice.
We feel this is a necessary step to safeguard the wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and visitors, to all of whom we have a duty of care.
Use time to finish work
We are entering unchartered waters, but rest assure that the house is now almost fully renovated, and we will use the closed period, if allowed, to finish work on a complete kitchen and tearoom overhaul and landscaping the gardens.
Cross Current exhibition postponed
This is particularly sad as we were hugely looking forward to the Cross Currents exhibition curated by Griselda Bear, and tracing links between Mrs Cameron, India, and Sri Lanka, and a full programme of talks, workshops and events.
We have now postponed the exhibition until this time next year. We are also going to have to rearrange forthcoming exhibitions as listed in our Winter Newsletter.
Follow our Facebook page
We intend to re-open as soon as we are told that it is safe to do so. For further information and updates visit our website, sign up to our mailing list or check our Facebook page.
Let us, as Julia always did, accentuate the positive.
The celebrated painter, art historian and teacher Julian Bell has kindly agreed to become our President. Julian is also a direct descendant of Julia’s sister Mia, and his mother Anne Olivier Bell made us a wonderful bequest of original photographs by both Julia and her son HHH Cameron, which had come down through the Clive Bell estate.
Government Covid-19 guidance: Stay alert and stay safe
Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently (video tips).
Social distancing
It is recommended that you maintain at least a two metre gap (about 6.5ft) from people who are not from your household.
Seeking advice
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service that can tell if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Image: craig whitehead under CC BY 2.0
