THE people of Appleby will have their say on the future of the old Westmorland Shire Halls at a public meeting being held tonight.

Mayor of Appleby Lance Thwaytes has been working with outside consultancy firm RGA Limited of Edinburgh to organise the event at Appleby Public Hall.

A feasibility study is being carried out by Appleby Alliance and tonight's meeting follows on from the initial public meeting in which Cumbria County Council announced their plans to sell off the building.

Sue Fell, of Appleby Alliance, said: "Tonight's public meeting is the first step in the consultation process, to find out what the public's views are on what should happen to the Shire Halls.

"The public's views are very important and we would like to take on board any community ideas for the use of the Shire Halls. The meeting is being led and undertaken by the consultants who have been working closely with mayor Lance Thwaytes in setting up the meeting."

Efforts to keep the Appleby's historic Shire Halls in community ownership have resulted in the idea of using the building as a Romany Museum and a serious attempt is now being made by the town to raise the necessary funding to acquire the building and set it up.

A national museum of gypsy life could open in the disused Westmorland Shire Halls. The unique centre would include a caf, resource centre, gallery as well as display Romany caravans, artefacts and photographs.

Owner of the former Romany Folklore Museum in Selbourne, Hampshire, Peter Ingram - a caravan-maker, and painter - is offering his lifetime collection to Appleby to help set up the visitor attraction. Mr Ingram visited the Shire Halls to see the proposed venue and was shown around by the mayor.

Coun Thwaytes said: "A Romany Museum in the Shire Halls would give Appleby an indoor, year-round attraction and also ensure the Shire Halls remain in public use." The centre could attract visitors from around the world and help visitors trace their family trees and be a resource centre of the study of Romany life, which forms part of the National Curriculum.

Mr Ingram said: "Appleby is the perfect venue for a museum of gypsy life. Around the world Appleby is known for the Gypsy Horse Fair."

Neil Ferber, an Appleby resident involved in the project, said: "The coming together of the availability of a large public building, and the possible acquisition of a large Romany collection, offers the small market town of Appleby a chance to considerably boost its tourist economy. Providing a much needed all the year round wet weather facility for visitors.

"If anyone in the rest of Britain or abroad has ever heard the name of Appleby you can be reasonably certain that it will be through its long time association with the gypsies. The fair has a visual appeal that attracts thousands of photographers and if you see a photograph of gypsies anywhere it is more than likely it was photographed in Appleby. If there is a television documentary programme about the gypsy way of life the name of Appleby will crop up several times."

Peter Ingram said: "My collection covers all aspects of gypsy life and culture. It includes everything from the covered wagons to cooking utensils alongside an extensive library and music collection."

Peter started building gypsy caravans as a boy and though now in his sixties he still makes, repairs and paints them. He added: "I feel that Appleby is the fitting home for my lifetime collection as much of it has already been to Appleby many times."

Tonight the people of Appleby will have their say on the future of the former Magistrates Court and buildings.

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