Politicians Under Fire Over Museum Closure

By John Gregory Isle Of Man Courier 3rd Feb 2006

The government has been savagely attacked in a magazine article about the closure of Murray's Motorcycle Museum.

Tourism and Leisure Minister David Cretney has hit back at the comments made by Andy Sanson, writing in the January edition of The Rider's Digest.

Mr Sanson made a strongly worded attack on the standard of politicians and claimed 'because of falling visitor numbers and lack of interest by the government and tourism department, it's had to close the wonderful, unique collection of over 120 bikes, vintage bicycles, models and countless photos, signs and memorabilia split up and sold off'.

He added: 'Surely somewhere in the high places, at least on of the plastic, suited, back-shelf nodders, felt it worth preserving as a national treasure, something which could be funded by the government with a view to attracting visitors and keeping a valuable asset alive.

Even if the collection had to be moved to a more convenient location, in Douglas, with free entry like other museums?

'But no. Not a murmur. Not the meagrest of glimmers. Well, after all, it's another nail in the coffin of the TT and that can only be good.'

But Tourism and Leisure Minister David Cretney has hit back saying there is no lack of interest from the government and said some of the items maybe saved for the nation.

He said: 'Peter Murray indicated he wished to finish. The building is owned by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and we are looking at what may be possible in there.

'There is no lack of interest from government. It has to be recognised that the site is not ideal and there are some who would like to see it demolished.

'In terms of the contents of the museum, it was decided by the Council of ministers that myself, [Trade and Industry Minister} Alex Downie and members of Manx National Heritage would meet Mr Murray to see if there are any items of Island significance.

'That has been done and we have a list of items which may be acquired for the nation.

'Negotiation is ongoing so he {Mr Sanson] is just wrong. If he had bothered to pick up the phone I would have been able to inform him on that.'

Mr Cretney added: 'At this moment people are talking about the potential future use and my department is involved in those discussions. It may be something could happen in there in the future, although we have to recognise the remoteness of the building.'

In September Peter Murray, who has run the museum for 37 years, announced his intention to close it for good the following month.

He cited a number of reasons for the closure and said the atmosphere at the TT was disappearing.