Why the Scarborough Fair Collection wants to expand and link up with Woodend museum

The Scarborough Fair Collection and Vintage Transport Museum at the Flower of May Holiday Park in Lebberston pulls in thousands of visitors every year.

Started by farmer and holiday park owner Graham Atkinson after he got the bug for collecting after purchasing his first steam engine and mechanical organ in the 1980s, the attraction is now outgrowing its surroundings.

A planning application has been submitted to Scarborough Council to build a single-storey side lean-to extension to one of the main exhibition buildings.

A supporting statement for the application adds: “The museum features a wide range of exhibits which have steadily grown in number in recent years. The applicants feel that it offers a valuable tourism asset, providing a popular indoor attraction for the East Coast, with further development potential.”

The reason for the extension is to allow for a collaboration with another Scarborough museum which is responsible for displaying pieces from Scarborough Council’s collection of art and artifacts.

The supporting letter adds: “One area for future improvement is by way of a connection with Scarborough Woodend Museum.

“Woodend currently stores items of local historical interest, along with interactive displays, which they find difficult to put on public show due to a shortage of space.

“Should this application be successful the additional floor space provided could accommodate any otherwise unseen Woodend stored items. It could also form the basis of an increased connection between the two museums.”

Woodend chief executive Andrew Clay has sent a letter to the council backing the application.

The application is now out to consultation.