TAMESIDE’S Local Studies and Archive Centre has once again been recognised for the quality of its work, retaining its accredited status for the seventh year in a row.
The achievement was marked with a volunteers’ afternoon at the centre on Cotton Street East in Ashton-under-Lyne.
The team received a certificate of achievement and took time to thank those who help keep the service running.
Accreditation means the centre continues to meet national UK standards for archive services, covering everything from policies and processes to public engagement. Crucially, it allows the centre to remain an official place of deposit for important documents, including council and court records.
Behind the scenes, the recognition reflects the contribution of both council staff and local volunteers, who have given more than 1,000 hours of their time over the past year. Their work includes preserving historic documents in carefully controlled conditions, organising a wide range of archive material and helping residents explore family history.
Volunteers also support the day-to-day running of the service by cleaning and cataloguing archives, scanning photographs and assisting visitors with research.
The National Archives Accreditation Panel praised the service, describing it as a “well-managed archive service, delivered by a new team that has successfully come together over the last year”.
Councillor Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, said: “The team and volunteers at Local Studies have done an incredible job to help retain accredited status and it is such a testament to their hard work.
“Their attention to detail and genuine passion for the roles has kept Local Studies a place of deposit, and the recognition is truly deserved.”