POOLER legend and former Wales international Alan Carter is backing a campaign to draw new members to Pontypool Museum.

The recently-appointed Pooler director of rugby, yesterday endorsed our appeal to attract 1,000 members to the history museum after it lost £19,000 of council funding this spring.

The 49-year-old is passionate about history and last year published a book about his club called The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: The Rise and Fall of Pontypool RFC.

Mr Carter recalled taking his 85-year-old mum Gwyneth to the museum as well as his late father Brian to see an exhibition about the rugby club.

He said: “The museum for me captures what Pontypool is about.

“It is great to be able to share that with your family.”

Mr Carter recently became a member of the museum in Pontypool Park, where the rugby club is based.

He added: “I just feel it’s important to support them.

“When I took mum there the other day, they had an exhibition on the Second World War.

“They have so many things there like the old washing machines that used to roll things through.

“Mum said she could remember having these in the house.

“I love history anyway.

“It was great to see her animated by some of the things on display.”

The museum has been at the centre of a campaign to boost its membership and has signed up around half of the total number that it needs.

Pontypool Museum membership fees are £15 per year or £20 for a family.

Business, institution or club fees cost £60.

Gift aiding is available and gives the trust an extra 25p from the government for every £1 donated.

Membership benefits include free entry, 10 per cent off selected items in the shop, newsletters and voting rights at the trust AGM.

For more information call 01495 752 036 or email pontypoolmuseum@hotmail.com