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Press Release

University of Cambridge Churchill Archives receives national recognition

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) today announced the Churchill Archives at the University of Cambridge as one of 38 collections in 28 institutions across England recognised as having outstanding national and international importance under the Designation Scheme.

Churchill Archives Centre, based at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge, is home to the papers of Sir Winston Churchill and more than 570 important contemporary and near contemporary figures, documenting the history of the Churchill era and after.

The Churchill Papers served as the inspiration and the starting-point for a larger endeavour - the creation of a wide-ranging archive of the Churchill era and after, covering those fields of public life in which Sir Winston played a personal role or took a personal interest. Allen Packwood, Director of the Churchill Archives Centre, said: "We are pleased the MLA has recognised the unique collections held at the Churchill Archives Centre. The Centre provides people with an opportunity to learn more about some of the most influential people in modern history."

Chris Batt, Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, said: "MLA's mission is to help connect people to the knowledge in the collections of museums, libraries and archives. The Designation scheme provides a terrific opportunity to celebrate the richness of pre-eminent collections around the country. We are committed to opening up knowledge and information resources to everyone, maximising learning benefits and promoting excellence in our museums, libraries and archives."

MLA is the national development agency for museums, libraries and archives, advising the government on policy and priorities for the sector. MLA's roles are to provide strategic leadership, to act as a powerful advocate, to develop capacity and to promote innovation and change. The MLA list includes an impressive variety of library and archive collections, ranging from religious and higher education library collections to business and company archives.

The Designation Scheme aims to identify and celebrate the best museum, library and archive collections in England; those that are deemed to be of outstanding national and international importance. The Scheme recognises that organisations with Designated collections care for a significant part of England's cultural heritage. It was launched in 1997 for museums only, with two further rounds in 1998 and 1999, and extended to libraries and archives in 2005. The Scheme now covers over 100 collections held in museums, libraries and archives. It is managed by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

For further information, please contact:
Karen Dean, Press and Publications Office, University of Cambridge.
Tel: 01223 765542; email kjd42@cam.ac.uk

Allen Packwood, Director, Churchill Archives Centre, University of Cambridge.
Tel: 01223 336175; email Allen.Packwood@chu.cam.ac.uk.

Emma Poole or Gemma Crisp, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
Tel: 020 7273 1459; email emma.poole@mla.gov.uk or gemma.crisp@mla.gov.uk.