RNLI museum in Cromer to close on Sunday 1 September ahead of essential works
Visitors to Cromer have enjoyed the museum, named after the RNLI’s most decorated crew member, Henry Blogg, throughout the school holidays before the collection is moved temporarily this autumn.
The aim is for the museum to reopen in 2025, once repair and restoration works at the Rocket House are complete.
NNDC recently committed £1m-worth of funding for the restoration at the Rocket House and it is expected work will take up to a year.
RNLI Heritage Development Manager Jacqui Palmer said: ‘We had a fantastic summer and offered visitors our usual outstanding experience. Henry Blogg, who we’re named after, is a vital part of our past so it was an extra special summer for us in our 200th year.
‘Before our temporary move, we’ll now spend our remaining time in the Rocket House carefully packing away the exhibits and artefacts and, working with experts in heritage removals, to move everything carefully into storage.
‘We’re also excited for our future at the Rocket House once repairs are complete and, despite there being so much to do in September to move and store our collection safely, we can’t wait for next year!’
Specialist safe storage for lifeboat H.F Bailey has been found and the lifeboat, used by Henry Blogg in many of the lifesaving rescues he is decorated for, should be moved later in September.
Cllr Tim Adams, Leader of North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), said: ‘We’re delighted the popular and important Henry Blogg Museum has enjoyed another successful summer. We’ve committed to now carrying out the necessary works and repairs on the Rocket House building to enable the public to enjoy this excellent local attraction when the museum re-opens in 2025.’
The RNLI had been due to leave the building in July but a new short-term lease was agreed by NNDC’s Cabinet on Monday 13 May.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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