VOLUNTEERS at the Heritage Centre in Church Lane, Ledbury gathered at the Burgage Hall last week for tea and cakes to wind up the 2014 season. This is the first year that the Heritage Centre has been managed by the volunteers themselves, with the support of the Ledbury Civic Society, since Herefordshire Council, who own the building, decided at the start of the year that they could no longer run it because of budget constraints.

Sally Holliday one of the volunteer co-ordinators said "It has been a very good season with visitor numbers on a par with last year, thanks to the enthusiasm and support of our volunteers in enabling the centre to remain open seven days a week throughout the season." Over 22,000 people visited this medieval building including 1,600 children. Many commented on the attraction of the building in the visitors' book– its age, the atmosphere, the history of the building and its uses and the impressive chimney. One wrote "This must be one of the main attractions in the town. The building itself is spectacular. Thanks for keeping it open for us". Another wrote "Beautiful old building – please keep it as it is – it's your heritage".

The friendliness and knowledge of the volunteers was also highly praised and many visitors commented that they had no idea how much there was to see in Ledbury and intended to return.

The Heritage Centre will be open again at the beginning of April 2015. If you would like to join our team of volunteers to continue to keep it open for residents and visitors, call 01531 633637 or drop into the Heritage Centre when it re-opens in 2015.