A TEAM of volunteers from Worcester have been recognised at a regional museum awards ceremony.

The volunteers from the Tudor House Museum in Friar Street scooped the 'Judges Award for Excellence' at the West Midlands Museum Development Volunteer Awards last week (September 19).

The group of volunteers also won in the 'Above and Beyond' category after being nominated by the museum's manager Tonia Collet.

Mrs Collet said: "No job is too small or big for them to roll up their sleeves and tackle, from bug-trap checking to sweeping the courtyard, from making a wimple to starching the table cloths, they shirk from nothing."

"Their determination to meet and overcome the challenges of running a museum with no local or national government funding is an exemplary lesson to all, as they have worked ceaselessly to make Tudor House the financially self-sustaining organisation it is now, with visitor numbers topping 15,000 a year.

"Without the passion, drive and dedication of the Tudor House volunteers, this museum would have closed permanently and the public would have lost an actively inclusive, free, space in the city.

"It’s a privilege to work with them.”

Tudor House Museum is run entirely by volunteers who stepped in when it was threatened with closure.

The group began after the closure of the Museum of Local Life in Worcester in 2004.

Locals, troubled by the future of the museum, formed the Worcester Heritage and Amenity Trust to keep it running.

The group flourished and now has over 70 volunteers.

Without local or national funding, the museum relies on donations and fundraising to remain open - something the group of volunteers have come to excel at.

They manage to raise over £1000 a year for the museum with their now famous tea cosy drive.

The volunteers enthusiasm and dedication has culminated in the museum being shortlisted for the Family Friendly Museum Award.

Mrs Collet added: "The enthusiasm of the volunteers is infectious.

"This communicates itself to visitors, who thoroughly enjoy the stories, images, artefacts and recollections of the city that the volunteers retell.

"They will readily don costume to better interpret the eras the museum represents and get involved with city-wide historical celebrations.

"They have forged lasting links within the community, particularly with schools, special needs groups and other local charities."

To volunteer at the museum call 01905 612309, email manager@tudorhouse.org.uk or write to Tudor House Museum, 38-42 Friar Street, Worcester, WR1 2NA.