📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.change.org/p/prevent-the-closure-of-the-captain-cook-birthplace-museum?recruiter=56143668&recruited_by_id=d342fe30-cc3c-0130-0eb6-00221964dac8&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=8a7f8f585e544123938b24541e987171&utm_medium=whatsapp&utm_content=washarecopy_37802986_en-GB%3A7

Just a few quick questions. How will signing the petition prevent the Museum’s closure? Who is responsible for its proposed closure? How many Forum members have actually visited*? How much would be needed to fund its continuation? Is there an entry charge at present? If not, would charging for entry allow it to remain open?

*I don’t recall going as a child but maybe it wasn’t there then. 

@martin-bellamy 

signing the petition will stop Mbro council from closing as they will have to answer to questions why 

mbro council responsible for closure 

no idea how many forum members visited

yes charges

It wasn’t there when I was a child but then I’m older than you !

It’s not been particularly well run and it could be used for a lot of functions as it’s a modern large building with a lot of exhibits

OFB

@martin-bellamy The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum opened on the 28th October 1978 – the 250th anniversary of Cook’s birth. The purpose-built museum sits close to the granite urn which marks the site of Cook’s birthplace cottage in the beautiful landscaped grounds of Stewart Park, Marton, on the outskirts of Middlesbrough.

Unfortunately, I have not visited the museum but I knew it. Instead I have visited the Captain Cook School Museum in Great Ayton.

Anyway, I think practically all people who have been to a school should know the most famous Boro-born person in Captain Cook (does he has a first name?). So for example my wife and children have heard about him at school in Finland.

I think the house where he was born has been moved over to Autralia and there is only this reasonably new building acting as a museum. To me Captain Cook is an important part of my favourite holiday destination. I have been several times to Great Ayton and Whitby and have been at least once to Steithes, too. And of course I have driven through Marton - OFB's home village - many times to Gt Ayton. Even my brother-in-law has visited Whitby and the North York Moors Railway - and he is a Man Utd supporter through and through. It was just two weeks ago that he called me about Captain Cook and his trip to Whitby a few years ago.

So I hope the museum will stay open so I can visit it. But the Middlesbrough Council must realise that the town is famous for Captain Cook, the football club and Juninho and the beatiful North York Moors area - including Great Ayton, Staithes and Whitby. The Captain Cook path in North Yorkshire should be more famous!

Perhaps these places should be marketed as a tour to the tourists. The train goes nicely to practically all places assosiated with Captain Cook - perhaps there shoud be a sea or bus connection from Whitby to Staithes to complete the steam railway line. And a printed quide for people visiting Middlesbrough. Therefore the Marton station would become more important with the museum, too - the train could stop there for 30 min, for example.

OGB, please be free to use my thoughts. Up the Boro!

Jarkko Lehtinen
Finland

@jarkko I was 23 in 1978 so I was probably busy doing other things, hence my non attendance at the Museum. 

Cook’s first name was James (hence the name of Middlesbrough’s hospital. If you haven’t been (and get the chance) I’d recommend a trip to the Captain Cook Monument above Gribdale on the NYM. 

https://youtu.be/7j-anXhVob4?si=fA6xJsVK0Ia8GTHH

@jarkko 

many thanks for your post and hopefully your vote as a tourist to keep the museum open. 

His Christian name is James !

James cook

Interesting to hear about your love of the area and the tourist locations. I was involved a few years ago with a project to bring Cruise ships to the Tees. Berth at Middlesbrough Dock next to the riverside and run coach tours from there to the North Yorkshire Moors, Whitby,York and Durham. The Captain Cook Museum would have also played a large,part in the local tours. Unfortunately COVID came and everything was scrapped and forgotten. It could have seen the re- birth of Middlesbrough which is now a very run down and forlorn place.

OFB

Posted by: @martin-bellamy

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@jarkko I was 23 in 1978 so I was probably busy doing other things, hence my non attendance at the Museum. 

Cook’s first name was James (hence the name of Middlesbrough’s hospital. If you haven’t been (and get the chance) I’d recommend a trip to the Captain Cook Monument above Gribdale on the NYM. 

https://youtu.be/7j-anXhVob4?si=fA6xJsVK0Ia8GTHH

I have been to Roseberry Topping a couple of times. First in 1980, then later with my wife. But I think it is time to visit again - that place is so important for me.

But I have a feeling I have seen the James Cook Monument, possibly in 1980's, too. Also, I should have remembered the first name of James (like in the name of the hospital).

Up the Boro and the area!

OFB, That is a great concept, what a pity that it never happened, the amount of people I know who cannot believe what a beautiful area it is. The boss and I have persuaded people we know to holiday in the area and they have been astounded and after a week total converts. Must not start a rant about local politics. . .

UTB,

John

@john-richardson 

To add to that John, what the project also proposed was the Middlesbrough Dock near the Riverside Stadium to be revamped with an engineering heritage museum to shipbuilding augmented with a hotel, bars and restaurants. We even sourced a ww2 Destroyer built at Smiths Dock and were donated a little ship used for the evacuation of Dunkirk to be restored by the apprentices at the nearby Middlesbrough college. 

The money was spent by the council on a non existent ski centre which cost ££££ for design and never built.

OFB