PONTYPOOL Museum has welcomed a new member to its team - to work specifically on firing up its membership campaign.

Nathan Matthews has replaced Sassy Hicks in the role of museum fundraiser and will continue the campaign to attract 1,000 new members to make up for a £19,000 cash shortfall in its budget.

Museum administrator Susan Allford said that after a very successful start to the museum’s fundraising campaign - which launched last February to raise the profile of the museum, attract more visitors locally, and increase membership - the appointment of Mr Matthews will look to maintain momentum into a strong finish.

At the last count 397 new individual members had joined, 126 family memberships have been taken out, and 22 corporate members had committed to the cause.

This represents a significant income for the museum trust, but still leaves them some way short of their target.

Mr Matthews will look to change that.

He will also be concentrating on attracting corporate membership and membership from Torfaen residents who have moved abroad.

“He is looking at how the museum service can forge a two way partnership with local businesses and as we already have members living in America, France and Sweden," Ms Allford added. "We know that there are people who want to trace their family history or want photographs from the past and by targeting ex-pats abroad, we hope to maintain important links."

Mr Matthews was previously a customer service and heritage interpretation officer at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and a volunteer and a trustee at the Blaenavon Community Heritage and Cordell Museum.

He said: “I am looking forward to working with colleagues, volunteers and trustees at Pontypool Museum, to help sustain and develop the work of the Torfaen MuseumTrust in their efforts to present and conserve the important cultural heritage of Torfaen.”

For more information on becoming a member call the museum on 01495 752036.