As work starts on Shambellie House to make it ready to welcome guests, the trust now welcome Sue Hughes as the newly appointed General Manager.
Sue will be responsible for managing the creative and engaging programmes for people of all ages at Shambellie; to make sure that visitors enjoy learning new skills, and most importantly having fun.
Sue lives locally and has many years experience managing museum and heritage sites, along with developing and delivering art, craft and local history workshops. She is currently the Business Manager for Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, a region wide organisation which works to support and develop a strong third sector.
Gordon Mann, OBE, Chair of the Shambellie Trust said “We are delighted to have Sue working with us. She will be a wonderful addition and support to the Board, and we look forward to her bringing a great depth of experience in the Arts and Crafts world into Shambellie House.”
Sue Hughes, the incoming General Manager said “I first visited Shambellie in 2018 and was excited by the Trust’s vision for this wonderful site and building. I am so pleased to now be part of making this vision a reality, and welcoming people to engage with inspiring and creative experiences. I aim to ensure Shambellie will become an important centre for the local community and a creative hub for Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.”
Shambellie House was built in 1856, sitting in 2.33ha of grounds on the edge of the village of New Abbey. It became the National Museum of Costume in 1978 and closed in 2013.
The House was gifted to the Secretary of State for the Environment in 1970 by Charles Stewart and was used to house part of his collection of costumes and was run by the National Museum of Scotland.
It closed in 2013 and the costumes remain with the Museum in Edinburgh. Following closure Shambellie’s ownership passed to Scottish Ministers as statutory successors under devolution provisions. It was transferred to the Trust on 1st July 2021.
Shambellie House Trust was set up in 2015 following an unsuccessful campaign to keep the House open as the National Costume Museum. At that time the Scottish Government agreed to transfer the House to a local charity provided they had a sustainable business plan and sufficient funds for any alterations needed to the House and that position has now been reached.
The Trust converted recently to a charitable Community Benefit Society and already has 82 shareholder members. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 16 who purchases 10 shares at £1.00 each. For detail of this and the current trustees see the web site www.shambelliehouse.org
Reg No 8214. Charity No SC045782
