AN CURATOR and community education learning officer have been appointed ahead of the opening of a revamped museum.

The £1.7m re-development of a Llandudno Museum and Gallery, which will help the heritage attraction tell the story of the resort’s history in a more vibrant way, improve disabled access and provide enhanced educational facilities, is progressing well.

In anticipation of its opening, Dawn Lancaster, of Llandudno, has been appointed curator/manager and will oversee the day to day management of the staff and museum, as well as providing creative management and direction for exhibitions, event programmes and care of collections.

The heritage professional, with degrees in archaeology, a masters in Historic Landscape Studies, and a research MPhil, said: "I am looking forward to the re-opening of the museum and gallery when we can share the amazing history and artefacts in our collection with the local community and visitors all thanks to the fantastic support we have received from National Lottery Heritage Fund ”

Dr DeAnn Bell, who has worked as a lecturer in creative writing, and has experience in teaching and developing community outreach projects, has been named community learning officer.

She will focus on planning, co-ordinating, and evaluating an inspiring, exciting, original and participatory learning activity plan.

As well as these two new jobs, created by the National Lottery Heritage Fund project, there will be a part time visitor services officer who will help cover the tourist season. There will also be volunteer roles.

Roy Hayley, chair of Trustees, said: “This is an exciting time for the trustees and volunteers as we have worked very hard over the last three years obtaining grants, decanting the collection and completing the physical refurbishment of the museum.

"We can now go to the second phase of and getting the collection out of storage and fitting out the museum.

"With these two new posts we will be able to get a first class museum ready for opening.”

The museum and gallery, on Gloddaeth Avenue, has had the go ahead from the National Lottery Heritage Fund which has contributed a grant of £862,200 towards the cost of the major project.

Grants have also been received from a number of other organisations and charitable trusts including Conwy County Borough Council, Welsh Assembly Government, Foyle Foundation, Gwynt Y Môr, Garfield Weston, and Horizon Nuclear.

The revamped museum was expected to open in June but lockdown and the pandemic stopped the deadline from being met.

There is no new re-opening date at present.