During October, we discovered that our boiler is at the end of its life and needs replacing this by the end of this year.

The boiler’s age means that we cannot get replacement parts. Buying a new boiler and installing it will cost £7,500. This unexpected cost comes on top of high electricity and gas bills associated with running our rare Grade II * listed building November to March.

The Minories doesn’t receive financial support from local or county councils to buy this vital new boiler. But asking you to help is not easy and, if we thought we could raise the funds in another way before the end of this year, we would. In the last year, the Minories has welcomed over 30,000 visitors. If you are one of these people, we’d particularly love you to consider a donation of at least £5 so that we can reach our boiler target soonest.

But any support from anybody reading this appeal is as much needed and appreciated.

Please do share our appeal with anyone you know if you can’t help by donating yourself.

Why The Minories matters in Colchester:

The Minories is Colchester’s oldest gallery and runs a fantastic and varied range of exhibitions and events to serve everyone in the town. In the last 12 months we have:

• Presented 20 exhibitions, altogether featuring the work of 427 artists

• Hosted 10 pop-up shops for local artists and creative makers

• Hosted three local artists in residence

• Delivered community projects with the NHS, Open Road and Castle Hearts

• Been a venue for birthday and anniversary parties, celebrations and wakes

We also have a café and give space to groups that would otherwise have nowhere to be:

1. Common Ground Colchester. This community co-operative runs our café, The Commons with food sourced from local farms within a 10-mile radius of us.

2. Boys and Men. This community interest company helps asylum seekers and refugees who come to Colchester integrate into the town, including finding work.

3. British Origami Society. This UK charity has events, library and archive with us.

4. Creative Co-op. Local community-focussed graphic design group based with us.

5. East Anglian Folklore Centre. This organisation has a free folklore library with us.

What local people and organisations have said about The Minories:

Please help with this urgent fundraiser so that we can keep open, and warm for everyone this winter.

From all of us at The Minories, thanks for reading this and for the support you give.