A group of volunteers are poised to take over the running of Helston Folk Museum this summer.

The South Kerrier Heritage Trust (SKHT) is in final discussions with Cornwall Council to transfer responsibility for the museum at the top of Church Street into the control of trustees, hopefully by the start of August.

The trust is now advertising two paid positions, for a full-time curator and a part-time assistant to lead the museum into the future.

Secretary of the heritage trust, David Turnbull, told the Packet: “It’s starting to become a reality now. I think we went to the first meeting a year ago, so it’s taken quite a long time to get it to where it’s real. Advertising for people is quite exciting.”

He said the trust had already received some “fantastic support” from people in the community who have registered to volunteer when the takeover is completed, hopefully on August 1. Details are available in the museum for anyone else interested in offering support.

While the first six months will most likely be taken up with ensuring the trust has everything in place to run the museum as a stand-alone venture, outside of Cornwall Council control, the plan is to make it a “significant visitor attraction” – and one of the first steps will be to extend the opening times.

The appointment of a qualified curator and assistant will help this happen and, importantly, also mean the museum can retain its accredited status. Cornwall Council has agreed to continue part-funding the museum for the next few years, giving in the region of 55 to 60 per cent of the funds it is currently putting in. That means the trust will have to start looking for extra funds in the form of donations and grant applications.

Trust chairman Judith Haycock said: “Helston Folk Museum is entering an exciting time of change, with new opportunities to develop as a museum at the heart of its community and a significant visitor attraction.

“The Trust has a vision for the museum which will attract a wide range of audiences as well as link with, and support, the communities of Helston, the Lizard and surrounding areas.

To request an application pack, which includes full job description and application form for the curator and assistant roles, interested applicants should e-mail their postal address to helston.museum@gmail.com indicating the post they wish to apply for.

Completed applications must be received by July 11, 2013.