Sidmouth Museum opens for book signing and last look at exhibitions

LATE night shopping in Sidmouth is just a week away.

Sidmouth Museum will open from 2pm to 8pm on Friday, December 3, giving people a last chance to visit the Roman Centaur statue and see other exhibits at the Church Street building.

From 6pm, Jeremy Butler, author of a new book about Sidmouth’s Victorian Antiquary, Peter Orlando Hutchinson, called Diary of a Devon Antiquary, which covers the period 1871 to 1894.

Mince pies and mulled wine will also be served during this time.

The museum, which will close until next Easter after Friday’s event, is looking for key volunteers to help in 2011.

A secretary, treasurer and collections manager are needed, together with additional stewards.

“Anyone interested in doing voluntary work, researching, cataloguing and being photographic team leader, can talk to members of the committee at the museum on December 3, to discuss their areas of interest,” said museum spokeswoman Hilary Briers.

Shops will stay open until 8pm throughout the town next Friday and there will be plenty of entertainment and food on offer as well as giving people a chance to do their Christmas shopping.

The parish church will open to sell olive wood items from Bethlehem as well as other gifts and offer refreshments.