PROTESTS are growing over the threat to close the Cogges Manor Farm museum, in Witney, as part of a revamp of the county's museums.
A fundamental review of the service has been ordered to save £250,000, including compulsory redundancies, as part of a 'complete overhaul' of the staffing structure.
Plans for the site could involve selling the 20-acre farm museum site, possibly for housing.
A leaked document has even warned that even with the proposed changes, the service could be left 'disabled and unsustainable'.
But campaigners are gearing up for a battle with County Hall over the plans.
Joanna Clark, of Park Road, North Leigh, visits the museum at least once a week with her 22-month-old son, Nicholas. She said: "I am shocked and horrified.
"It is a nice, safe environment, and children get to learn about the historical background of farming.
"I would be devastated, and so would my son, if it was to close, because every week he asks if we can go there as a treat."
Justin Bowyer, of Madley Park, appealed to people to fight the plans. He said: "I love Witney and my family value Cogges almost beyond words."
He has set up an online petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/savecogges and is also urging people to directly petition members of the county council.
County Hall has tried to breathe life into Cogges Manor Farm - a museum that costs the authority £340,000 a year to run - but visitor numbers are dwindling.
Opened in 1978, Cogges Manor Farm - which is a Grade II-listed building - attracted 80,000 people during its first six weeks, but now struggles to get 25,000 through its doors each year.
Martyn Brown, Oxfordshire County Council's heritage and arts officer, said: "The process is driven by the need to save money, but it is very difficult within the heritage service to find efficiencies, because they have been made over the years, and there is simply no fat to cut."
Meanwhile, a major revamp is planned for the Oxfordshire Museum, in Woodstock, in an effort to revitalise the flagging facility.
Part of the leaked document said: "Efficiency savings and budget reductions over many years have left a service which currently does not function effectively.
"Many of the best staff have left and several of those remaining are unable to fulfil their functions in a manner appropriate to current expectations.
"For several years, staff have attempted to mitigate the effects of budget reductions by working excessive, unpaid overtime, by diversifying activities in attempts to generate income, and by covering up the inadequacies of the budget to met acceptable standards."
The Cogges Trust has worked to raise funds to support the museum for the past 20 years.
Chairman, David Freeman, said: "The trust believes there are many reasons to save Cogges Manor Farm.
"It is an exceptional historic site, and scheduled as an ancient monument.
"It offers a rich educational experience, appealing to visitors of all ages."
Oxfordshire Unison branch chairman, Mark Fysh, added: "I can guarantee we will fight this."
Cogges Manor Farm was run by West Oxfordshire District Council, but the day-to-day running of the facility has since returned to the county council.
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