This weekend, friends, family and former colleagues will gather in Ceredigion Museum to say so long to Stuart Evans who has retired from the venue after 43 years.

Stuart, who officially retired on 28 June, joined the museum as an attendant in 1976 when the it was still located in Vulcan Street, but quickly became its technician and displays designer.

He began his museum career under the direction of Dr Owen, the first curator, and Stuart has fond memories of travelling around Ceredigion with Dr Owen in his Mini Clubman, sometimes returning to the museum with “unfeasibly large objects” on its roof rack.

The museum quickly outgrew the terraced house in Vulcan Street and Stuart was instrumental in the move to the Coliseum in 1982.

A year later, Stuart met HRH Prince Charles when he visited the award-winning Coliseum conversion.

Speaking to the Cambrian News, Stuart said his 40-plus years at the museum had been filled with fun and lots of changes.

“When I first started working there it had about 600 to 700 objects in its collection. Now there are about 68,000!

“But change is the key thing about my time at the museum. Change is inevitable, and every generation wants something new out of an institution. Right now, the museum is moving towards becoming a social hub and that’s great. It shows films, concerts and has a bar and it’s wonderful to see it being used again as an entertainment centre.”

Changes also present challenges, as Stuart explained.

“Obviously there are objects in situ and they need to be cared for when the venue is being used for other things, so that’s become part of the job.

“And you have to think of everything: light levels, humidity, heat, insects, fire hazards, etc. But it’s been interesting to see how the museum has evolved over the years.”

Now he has retired, Stuart hopes to concentrate on his art.

See this week’s south papers for the full feature, available in shops and as a digital edition now