Three Rivers museum’s future secured through council agreement

Following unanimous approval from councillors at a meeting of Full Council on Tuesday 8 July, the Three Rivers Museum Trust, which operates at Basing House in Rickmansworth, has secured approval for the grant of a new 15-year lease from Three Rivers District Council.

The museum has been supporting local learning about the heritage and history of the Three Rivers area in Basing House, which is owned and maintained by the council, since 1987. However, its current lease was due to end on 1 June 2026 and extending it was vital in order to apply to the Museum Accreditation Scheme which is operated by the Arts Council.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “The museum is a highly valued educational and cultural institution that has amazing volunteers working tirelessly to collect and communicate our local history as well as preserve what is best about the district, so that the current and next generation can learn what life was like in Three Rivers.

“I am absolutely delighted that the council has agreed to the grant of a longer-term lease arrangement with the museum to further secure its future and gives potential funders that extra bit of confidence that the museum is here to stay and continue its amazing work.”

Fabian Hiscock, Chairman of the Museum, said: “Three Rivers District Council has supported the museum since it was first set up in a corner of the council’s offices in 1987. Nearly forty years later, we can build on the remarkable foundation laid those who have gone before us with the confidence of this extended lease, which assures the future of the museum for a generation. We’ll be very happy to hear from any local group or business who would like to join us in the next stage of our development, and in the meantime we’re grateful to the council for their continuing support.”