Somerset County Council wants as many people as possible to sign its historic scroll (currently on a tour of Somerset during summer 2006) in support of its bid for £4.75 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). June 2006 saw the scroll visiting 10 schools, the Somerset County Cricket ground and Taunton Castle, which was playing host to the top-secret visit of television series, Most Haunted.  | | The crew from Most Haunted sign the scroll |
The show is presented by former Blue Peter presenter Yvette Fielding. In between filming, the presenters and crew found time to sign the scroll and Back the Bid. What's it all about? | | Wiveliscombe School sign the scroll |
If the campaign is successful, the money will be used to create the Museum of Somerset by renovating Taunton Castle and rejuvenating the County Museum within it. BBC Somerset Sound's Simon Clifford spoke to County Heritage Officer Tom Mayberry at the launch of the Back the Bid campaign (presided over by King Henry VIII, whose father Henry VII came to Taunton Castle in 1497) on Monday, 22 May, 2006. "There's a very compelling story to be told about the history of Somerset, and this museum will tell it," Tom said. You can listen to the full interview by clicking on this audio link: Backing the BidThe six-metre-long scroll has been designed by conservationists from the Somerset Records Office, using handmade parchment-style paper produced in Somerset. The four major sponsors in the campaign (BBC Somerset Sound, Somerset County Council, Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society, and the Somerset County Gazette) have already signed it, and there are plans for many celebrities to take part too. To find out where and when you can add your signature, follow its journey on the Somerset County Council website from the beginning of June: Museum of Somerset - what happens next?The Council initially hoped it would receive 5,000 signatures of support on the scroll by the end of July 2006. But, only three weeks into the campaign, the scroll is full!  | | Signing the scroll |
Original plans to extend the scroll have been changed and, instead, a second scroll is in production. A copy of the scroll will be given to the Heritage Lottery Fund with the County Council's application, as evidence of public support for the bid.  | | West Buckland School sign the scroll |
The original will become a permanent exhibit in the new museum, as a lasting legacy to all those who backed the bid. Although there are a large number of stops planned for the scroll throughout June and July, there are some days that have been kept free for taking it along to other events. If you have any events planned that you would like the scroll to visit during this time, contact Carrie Blogg, Museum of Somerset Project Manager, on 01823 320204 or: | 
