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Above: Susan Fazackerley, Fylde Council Leader; Margaret Race, Chairman of Friends; Jacqueline Arundel and Jo Derbyshire from Fylde DFASLeft: Volunteers at the Harris Museum for a workshop on writing interpretation exhibition labels Above left: The printed catalogueTreasured collectionsFylde DFAS volunteers have helped bring a hidden public art collection to light, while Church Recorders in Ross-on-Wye were able to assist a police investigation and Walberton DFAS inspired a new generationLytham St Annes is home to a remarkable public art collection donated over the years by local residents – however it has no permanent home, so it lives in the basement of the Town Hall, where few people knew of its existence. The members of Fylde DFAS were determined to change that, working with the Friends of Lytham St Annes Art Collection to help raise awareness of these artworks.The aim of the ‘Tagging the Treasures’ project was to research and catalogue the collection and create a printed and online inventory, making images and information fully accessible for the fi rst time. Over two years, 150 volunteers gave their valuable time, effort and expertise, amounting to a total of 5,943 days (or 47,540 hours)! Their roles ranged from researchers, presenters, invigilators, tour guides and more. Many learnt new skills. In all, over 240 artworks, 125 artists and 88 donors were researched. Meanwhile, Heritage Lottery funding of £24,000 enabled an ambitious programme of diverse public and community engagements in the local area.“As a direct result of the project we reached 6,800 local people who are now aware of our town’s collection and how it forms an integral part of local heritage. Over 4,500 people visited our exhibitions and over 2,100 people attended over 25 lectures, talks and presentations,” says Jacqueline Arundel, Tagging the Treasures Project Manager and Fylde DFAS Heritage Co-Ordinator. “Accepting that there is potentially some cross-over with the fi gures, the project has still achieved an impressive reach.”The project continues to enthuse people. Each month, there are over 1,600 hits on the website, which is now being used as a research tool, attracting ancestors of the artists, donors adding information, and art historians offering advice and help in their area of expertise. There is still work to be done in raising awareness, but there is now an appetite to work towards the conservation of the collection and the procurement of a permanent home. Jacqueline says: “The project has not simply recorded the story of the town art collection, it has become part of that story. We are pleased to have been able to play a part in the continuance of this distinguished artistic tradition into the 21st century.”¥ The website can be found at www.lythamstannesartcollection.org. 66 NADFAS REVIEW / AUTUMN 2016 www.nadfas.org.ukVOLUNTEERING