West Berkshire Museum refurb hailed success by visitors at opening today (Mon)

Rain failed to deter locals from heading out to explore all the museum has to offer, from fossilised sea urchins to Roman archaeology and artefacts from the early stone ages. Within half an hour of it opening, 47 people had visited, including 11 children.
Newbury residents Nicola and Anthony Beckley, along with their children Georgia, aged eight, and Lewis, aged five (pictured, top) were presented with a bouquet of sunflowers by museum manager Victoria Barlow for being the first family to pass through the doors this morning (Monday).
And the facilities drew approval from the family, with Georgia telling NewburyToday reporter Ellis Barker after her look around: “I like how there’s activities for children to do. You can go around and read about the artefacts and do some colouring.”
She added that her favourite part of the visit was making bookmarks with Lewis and learning how to spell their names in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
For the dozens of volunteers who had assisted with the refurbishment project, it was a day to exhibit their hard work and efforts over the past four years, in which they have been required to pack and categorise the museum’s entire collection of artefacts, and unpack and arrange them ahead of the opening.

Pat Parkinson (pictured, right) said: “It’s much fresher and more inviting to look at the items.”
Museum manager Victoria Barlow said: “It felt like it was going to take forever, but the last nine months have just disappeared.
“It’s very exciting. Today, just seeing people and hearing their comments, is fantastic.
“It has been shut for four years, it’s really nice to give it back to people.”
The £2.26m project has included the restoration of the historic cloth hall and corn stores, creation of a new link building and visitor facilities, and complete refurbishment of all display and activity spaces to increase the total exhibition area by a third.
Funding was provided by several local community groups and organisations, including £815,500 from West Berkshire Council, £100,000 from Greenham Common Trust, £40,000 from the Headley Trust and £1.2m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The museum closed in October 2010.
It will now be open from Wednesday to Sunday, and on bank holidays, from 10am until 4pm, with free admission.