A MUSEUM which highlights the history of rural Ryedale has reopened to visitors.

Beck Isle Museum in Pickering remained closed all last year due to the pandemic however volunteers and trustees have worked behind the scenes to ensure the attraction was ready to open as soon as the national restrictions are lifted.

Sarah Maultby, Museum Curator, said: “Visitors to the museum will be able to see many of the much loved familiar displays but there are some changes as well, most notably the new admissions and retail area.

“There is now a new range of locally sourced products available, with plans to increase the variety over the coming months.”

Michaela Pearson, Operations Manager, said: “We’re selling artisan pottery, original artwork, local honey and for the first ever there are some unique, hand forged gifts made on site in the Blacksmith’s workshop.”

“There is lots to see and do in 2021, include a wonderful display of costume and accessories from the 1920s. Everything from undergarments to a fur stole, day dresses and evening wear, cloche hats to T-bar shoes all illustrate how the ‘Flapper Girl’ fashion filtered down into everyday dress in this rural market town 100 years ago.A new exhibition of local photographs from the Sydney Smith Collection takes the visitor on a fascinating journey through life in Pickering between 1910 and 1950. Photographs show familiar streets in times gone by as well as events such as flooding in 1931 and the visit of Lloyd George on a political rally.”

Beck Isle Museum is an independent charity, staffed mainly by volunteers which collects, preserves and exhibits items of local historical interest.

For more information go to www.beckislemuseum.org.uk