VOLUNTEERS, friends and members of the community came together to celebrate a massive milestone – 30 years of Dollar Museum.

More than 100 people turned out to attend a lively party marking the anniversary, which also included a private viewing of the new exhibition.

On the night, catering was provided by Dollar Deli, Gemma Toon made a celebratory cake and Dollar Community Council provided and put up a marque.

Johnny Stewart, Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire, gave a toast, while Provost Tina Murphy and local councillors Graham Lindsay, Bill Mason and Kathleen Martin also attended to show their support.

Janet Carolan, chair of Dollar Museum Trust and curator, said: “It was just a very, very good party and everybody enjoyed it.

“I think that it was a really good way of celebrating our 30th anniversary.

“I would say that we owe many, many people thanks for the help that they’ve given us and the many volunteers who’ve worked in the museum over the years, who’ve been on committees and for being trustees, helped us either practically or with finance and so on.

“We’re very much part of the community and the community have helped us.”

When Dollar Museum opened its doors in 1988, it was to a small room in the old schoolhouse.

However, its success saw it move into its current location Castle Campbell Hall in 1993 and it has since expanded to occupy two floors dedicated to preserving the heritage and history of the town.

As an independent museum it relies on fundraising and the Co-op has also been very generous, which has allowed for the purchase of Victorian clothes for schoolchildren to dress-up in.

The museum has hosted more than 100 exhibitions, researched by sub-committees, won national awards and welcomed two royal visits, from Princess Anne and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.

Other highlights included acquiring the Devon Valley Railway collection.

It also has excellent support from the Friends of Dollar Museum and the enthusiasm of others has helped the museum to get where it is today.

Janet said: “We had very little when we started and people have given us so many things that we’ve got quite a large collection, an interesting and large collection.”

For full details on Dollar Museum and its exhibitions, visit http://home.btconnect.com/dollarmuseum/