THE Mechanics’ Institution Trust has moved a step closer to making Swindon Railway Cottage Museum its own, after impressing at a public presentation.

With chairman Daniel Rose pitching to a Swindon Council-appointed panel and a public gallery, the trust proved to be a better fit than Swindon Heritage for the museum’s future.

The trust may now be the frontrunner, but it has several hurdles to clear before it receives the keys to the community asset.

The council will formally recommend the organisation takes on management of the museum, but it will be up to councillors to decide its fate.

“We are really pleased that we have been recommended to take on the railway cottage,” said Daniel.

“We have been really keen to manage that particular building for a number of years.

“It’s really exciting for us to finally get that building one step closer towards being open and accessible to the public again.

“It’s been years and years and years since it’s been available to the public. That’s the most exciting thing, the prospect this will become available again.”

He has been told, all being well, the trust will have control of the museum by April, with the need for one or two remedial works by the council before a hand-over.

With the backing of council officers, the Mechanics’ Institution Trust will be able to continue its conversations with Heritage Lottery Fund with renewed vigour.

It is hoped the fund will provide the investment necessary to modernise the railway cottage and deliver the vision laid out by Daniel at the presentations in December.

At the time, he said the museum could reopen as a house from 1900, but with a more modern approach, including removal of barriers to rooms and live interpreters used.

The trust planned to work with Steam, the Great Western Railway museum, to create a fuller package for school visits.

The bid revealed talks between the trust and organisations that broadcast at heritage locations, whose television productions could boost visitor numbers.

“We want to work with any interested parties and individuals on the project,” said Daniel.

“We want this to be a building that people feel they have a connection with.

“We are really keen to develop our work within the railway village and to continue to develop programmes of work around properties in the railway village.”

A Swindon Heritage spokesman said: “We wish the successful bidders and Swindon Council well. And, although we will not be involved in the project, we are glad that we can look forward to the people of Swindon, and particularly young people, reclaiming this heritage asset and being allowed to visit it again in the near future.”