Can I loan something rather than donate it?

We do not take loans of items. Here is why...

• In the majority of cases that articles from the 80s/90s need restoration even if it is provided to us as “working”. This requires investment (in terms of time AND money) on our part and at our expense which isn't possible with loaned equipment (as we can't afford to repair items and then hand them back as it’s just not economical).
   
• As we're a working museum open to the public exhibits are also liable to...
  • Damage
  • Vandalism
  • Breaking down
  • Or even theft by small minded individuals!!
  • ... we can not afford to take on these risks for items which don't belong to us

We sometimes accept loan equipment and can provide a signed loan agreement, however we tend to reserve this for rare or hard to find items, or items which are only going to be on display (eg not being used by visitors to the museum) or have special historical significance. Most of the items we have on loan at the moment are display only and in a glass cabinet ...but we only usually do this for VERY rare items and in very special circumstances.