The storytellers

A small not-for-profit organisation in Dorking has recognised the interest in local heritage and turned it into a thriving publishing enterprise

- David Burton

Following temporary closure for a complete refurbishment and remodelling, Dorking Museum, on West Street in the town, was relaunched in 2012 to provide a more thematic exhibition space along with a greater awareness of the economic realities of its existence in the present day.

Like many small local museums, Dorking gets no public funding and relies largely on the efforts of its team of volunteers, entrance and event fees, donations and sales through its small shop. Yet, in an area so rich in heritage, there was very little about the history and culture of the locality in print, save a few rather academic publications put out some years previously by the local history group.

With the interest apparent in the new museum, the team believed that there was an appetite in the general public to know more about the area, its environment, its people and heritage, and its contribution to national and international history. At the same time, they became aware that there was fascinating high-quality research being done in the locality which deserved a wide audience.