Change of ownership for Cornwall's army museum

The ownership of Cornwall's army museum is to change hands.

Helen Bishop-Stephens, the director of Bodmin Keep, said "a really important milestone" had been reached as the Ministry of Defence had agreed to transfer the building to the museum trust.

The 165-year-old keep, which holds records of 300 years of Cornish military history, has been closed since August 2024 after a structural survey showed it needed significant repairs.

Since then the museum trust has been unable to carry out the necessary repairs - or fundraise for them - because it did not own the building.

Ms Bishop-Stephens said it had been difficult working with such a large organisation as the MoD but that the deputy chief of general staff had agreed to transfer the ownership of the building.

She said: "We've gone right to the top and we've won that battle so we're absolutely delighted.

"It's been brilliant news for us this Christmas."

Ms Bishops-Stephens thanked the museum's supporters and said tenders for repairs could now begin as well as work to modernise the building and facilities.

It was hoped the museum would reopen in the middle of 2027, she added.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].