From the Western Daily Press, 25th February 2009 Town Council Takes Control of Museum Control of Blake Museum Has Been Transfrerred From Sedgemoor District Council to Bridgwater Town Council. The well-known museum, in Blake Street, was threatened with closure last year after Sedgemoor announced it could no longer sustain funding. But the town council swooped in and saved the centre when it announced it would like to take control and would run it with a team of volunteers. The decision was made in a meeting earlier this month.

From the Bridgwater Mercury, 24th February, 2004 Museum Supporters Slam Sale Plan Supporters of Bridgwater's historic Blake Museum are rallying against proposals to uproot the museum from Blake Street and move to a proposed cultural centre in the town hall. At the end of last year, Sedgemoor District Council bigwigs unveiled plans to relocate a variety of the district's cultural bases - including the museum and Bridgwater Arts Centre - into the High Street HQ. But the Friends of Blake Museum are mounting a legal challenge against the plan.

From the Bridgwater Mercury, 29th April 2004 Museum’s Future Hangs In The Balance Blake Museum could be handed to the National Trust, Landmark Trust or sold off altogether. Sedgemoor District Council is about to start a review of the arts centre, museum and town hall to decide the future of the three facilities.

From the Bridgwater Mercury, Tuesday 2 June 2009 New Mueum’s Owners Look To The Future BRIDGWATER Town Council was handed the contract to Blake Museum last week, marking a key milestone in the journey to secure the museum's future. Sedgemoor District Council and the town council exchanged the final legal agreement at the museum on Thursday morning. District council chairman Jane Moreton presented the contract to Bridgwater mayor Ken Richards and made a financial pledge towards the museum. She said: “To show Sedgemoor District Council's commitment we will continue to fund the museum to the tune of £40,000 this year and £25,000 for the following three years.“This money will help the Friends of Blake Museum and the town council to get a thriving and sustainable business established so that residents and visitors to Blake Museum can continue to step back into the past to see Bridgwater's history.” Cllr Moreton also thanked the Friends group and town council for their hard work in getting the museum prepared for visitors following the recent refurbishment programme. “Not only has the building been given a spruce-up, but the gardens have also had a transformation”, she added. “I would also like to thank all the numerous volunteers to the museum who have helped out in the past.” Mayor Ken Richards believes the handover marks a 'momentous occasion' for the town and for the future of the museum. He said: “We would have hated to see the museum go and once it's gone you don't get it back.“I am sure the Friends and town council will be able to run it well and raise the money needed to keep it going and we are looking forward to the challenge.” The museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays between 10am and 4pm and admission is free.

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