THE FUTURE OF DINOSAUR ISLESome of you may know of the Dinosaur Isle Museum on the Isle of Wight. This is a vibrant if provincial museum on the south coast of England that attracts some 70,000 visitors a year. Its collection is one of the oldest dating back to the 1840s. It has many unique specimens including three dinosaur holotypes - Neovenator salerii, Eotyrannus lengi and Yaverlandia bitholus as well as a pterosaur Caulkicephalus trimicrodon. Similarly there are many unique examples of crocodiles, turtles and two sauropods that await further research. Much of the collections have been denoted by members of the public and amateur collectors – often giving their lifetimes work. Several major finds in the last year are a result of the public having confidence in the museum as a professional and enduring institution. The Isle of Wight Council has decided to ‘dispose of the building’ which was built with lottery funds and are effectively putting it out to tender as an attraction. The Friends of the Museum sees the preferred option as the IWCC setting up a trust. This has been the route for every other museum in the country as far as I am aware but doesn't seem to impress the Island's Council. This museum and the continuance of its collection may well be under threat. If you have had any dealings with the museum or wish to support us, any comments or e-mails can be appended to our submission to the Council and would be received with gratitude. Alternatively I would be happy to give you more details.
Many thanks
From Dr Jeremy Lockwood, Chair –The Friends of Dinosaur Isle
Jlockwood156@aol.com www.dinosaurisle.com