GUERNSEY could have a new costume museum by next year. Planning permission in principle has been granted for the ground floor of Brockhurst in the Grange to be used for the purpose.

‘We have every hope that Brockhurst will be one of the finest small specialist museums in the British Isles,’ said Advocate Michael Eades, outgoing president of the National Trust of Guernsey.

‘The costume collection of the National Trust of Guernsey, because of its recorded provenance, is unique. Brockhurst will allow its display in a very special setting.’

Andrew Dyke, chairman of the trust’s buildings committee and an architect for Cresswell, Cuttle and Dyke, said detailed plans were being prepared.

A van-load of the costumes and artefacts has already been sent to France.

The Museum of Normandy in Caen will be staging an exhibition from 25 June to 31 October.

About a year ago, Guernsey Museum and the Heritage Committee were invited by the museum to take part in the exhibition to commemorate the loss of mainland Normandy by King John in 1204.

The island and the present-day province look at this event from different angles, but the Guernsey Museum agreed to lend several paintings by Peter Le Lievre, especially ones associated with fishing and the sea.

‘The Museum of Normandy, however, is mainly a museum of folk life and in seeking to find items which would connect fine art with folk life, it was suggested that local costumes from the collection of the National Trust of Guernsey might be appropriate,’ said Gillian Lenfestey, the curator of the costume collection.

The National Trust was delighted to be invited to participate. Last month, nearly 50 items of costume associated with fishermen and their wives – ranging from sun bonnets and sabots to winter smocks – were taken to Caen, together with the pictures from the Guernsey Museum and items on loan from other islanders.

The exhibition will be opened by the Mayor of Caen on 24 June. It has been set up in St George’s Church, which forms part of the Chateau de Caen.