© 2024   The Magic Attic Archives

Local History - Local Heritage - from Local Folk

Registered Charity No 1094124

Under the umbrella of Sharpe’s Trust the project went ahead and following numerous disappointments, grants totalling £1.7 million were raised and in 2003 the Sharpe’s Museum was opened. Two floors in the building were given over to the Magic Attic which had been in the original agreement when the group joined in with the Trust.

In November 2002, prior to the official opening, the archive was again moved in a similar way to the one adopted in 1987 when more volunteers from the community were called in to help.

Due to the almost non-existent funds, second-hand desks and furniture and many different chairs were drawn from all quarters. Many of the original wooden racks were also put into use.

At this point the Magic Attic became a registered charity. Keith Brealey became the “Attic’s” treasurer and Keith Foster who was eventually to use his IT knowledge to kit the place out with computers, printers etc., began to apply for small grants for the organisation. This allowed new desks, chairs, computers, printers, micro-film reader, projectors and a screen to be purchased. A metal shelving system, being disposed of at the Burton-on-Trent Library, was bought for a very low price and the old shelves were removed.

The archive grew and grew over the years and today holds around 18 tons of material. Four thousand volumes of bound newspapers, over 34,000 photographs on computer databases, maps, catalogues and works records to mention just some of the items kept. The volunteers have built various databases on information about the local area and others are bought on license.

The Magic Attic now pays a rent to the museum and for all its services. It pays a public liability insurance which also covers outside events. There is no core funding so funds to cover this and for the day to day running, are raised from donations, book and photograph sales and various fund-raising projects.

The archive today has 32 volunteers including the trustees. They are drawn from all walks of life, builders, painters, ex-miners, clay-workers, farmers, librarians, retired teachers and a geologist to list a few. There are no paid staff and never have been.

The archive receives enquiries from across the UK and abroad and these are dealt with mainly by Clyde Dissington who has been given the grand title of Head of Global Liaison (HOGL). Several groups hold meetings and talks and lecture programmes in the premises and other groups including groups of school children often pay us a visit. The Attic opens for 16 hours a week to the general public and all visitors are made welcome being offered a free drink and biscuits (part of the Swadlincote psyche someone once said).

The Magic Attic is not a library and not a record office and at times the chatter and swapping of stories and information can become boisterous but this makes for a pleasant and friendly atmosphere.

Many visitors say the archive and the
way it operates is unique.

Really Magic!

Graham Nutt
Founder of the Magic Attic

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The History of The Magic Attic Archives - In a Nutt Shell