Campaigners trying to save the Cromwell Museum from losing its Cambridgeshire County Council funding are petitioning the authority to withdraw the proposal – and want you to add your name to the campaign.

The council says it could save £20,000 in 2015/16 by axing its financial support for the Huntingdon asset, just one idea among many in its plans to cut £149million by 2019.

Supporters of the museum have set up two petitions demanding a u-turn, the first of which has already been signed by nearly 1,000 people.

The second, started on December 22, is a county council e-petition which, if it attracts more than 3,000 signatures, could force a debate by the full council. As of yesterday (January 7) afternoon, it had been signed 168 times.

Among those to support the campaign to save the museum is Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly who on Monday (January 6) said he had written to CCC asking it to reconsider.

He described its potential loss as “unconscionable”, adding: “I am absolutely committed to retaining this historical gem that is so important for recognition of past history and future tourism and education,” he said.

Mr Djanogly also urged people to contact their county councillor to demand a rethink and to sign the petitions.

The e-petition asks that funding for the museum is guaranteed for the next five years – unless another viable operator takes responsibility.

At a meeting of the county’s safer and stronger communities overview and scrutiny committee on December 19, members supported the idea of a cross-party group to consider the future of the museum, to include Huntingdonshire District Council and Huntingdon Town Council.

Victor Lucas, chairman of the Friends of the Cromwell Museum, spoke at the meeting and stressed some financial assurances were needed by June, if exhibits that were on loan were to be safeguarded.

The county had said that the proposed saving was being mooted now to give the museum’s supporters time to find alternative funding.

INFORMATION: For more on the campaign, visit http://savethecromwellmuseum.org.