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Barracks closure marks end of era
Thousands of priceless artefacts charting Oxfordshire's military history have been packed up, with the closure of an Oxford barracks.
Slade Park Barracks in Headington is closing after 70 years.
The barracks housed a rich collection of the county's military history - but with items moved out, all that remains are empty display cases.
However, the collection could be preserved if plans to create the county's first army museum are realised.
The ambitious £4m scheme could eventually see collections housed in a purpose-built building alongside the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock.
Slade Park has been home to about 2,000 items of memorabilia and trophies from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, which will now be put together with artefacts belonging to the Oxfordshire Yeomanry and the Oxford University Officers' Training Corps.
When the barracks closes later this year, the Territorial Army's 7 Rifles, which now uses the site, will move to Dalton Barracks in Abingdon.
Major Hugh Babington Smith, of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust, said: "It is going to be two or three years before we see anything at Woodstock, but in the meantime we are moving to Caversfield, formerly RAF Bicester, where the collection will be stored.
Major Hugh Babington Smith with empty display cases
Major Hugh Babington Smith with empty display cases
"Some of the items are extremely delicate, with things like old flags and colours, so it is not just like a household store.
"These things have to be kept at a certain temperature and humidity, and the material they are wrapped in has to be additive free."
Documents detailing the county's military history, old uniforms and medals are among items to be transferred. The process is expected to take around six weeks.
So far the trust has raised £500,000 towards the permanent museum scheme, largely through private donations. It has also been offered £20,000 by Oxford City Council, which owns the barracks site freehold.
The Ministry of Defence will not provide funding as it only contributes to one museum per regiment. There is already a Rifles Regimental Museum in Winchester.
It is believed Oxfordshire County Council, would, however, provide a site in Woodstock.
Maj Babington Smith said: "It is very exciting and the aim, at the end of it, is for the public to have access to the collections and exhibitions on different themes for the first time."
The fundraising campaign will be launched in earnest at an exhibition in October giving a taste of some of the memorabilia which would eventually be on display.
The Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Sir Hugo Brunner is among those supporting the scheme.
He said: "I think it is a wonderful project and very necessary. We should have a really good museum devoted to the military history of Oxfordshire.
"I am particularly pleased that, all being well, it will be with the Oxfordshire Museum so the military story will be related to the rest of the history of Oxfordshire."
7:49am Friday 4th July 2008
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