Since the tenders were opened last week for the construction contract which will convert the Arts and Crafts Centre in Broad Street into the new Fusiliers' Museum, a battle has begun involving minor changes in design and careful removal of any double counting' as well as hard negotiation with the contractor to reduce the increase in costs to a manageable sum.

The tenders were nearly a million pounds over the expected sum. It is still not clear what the financial consequences will be - but we hope for a final capital costs summary next week.

"Clearly any increase in the overall budget is going to make the fundraising efforts even harder," said Lieutenant Colonel Eric Davidson, who manages the Campaign Office. "But that's a signal for us to push harder. We just cannot consider defeat. Once a new target is established we will need to find new ways to raise money."

Eric has been playing his part this week by facilitating a team from Granada who have been renting the Arts and Crafts Centre for use as a film set. The team have been using both the committee room and the old café area from the days of the Adult Education Centre. It is an ideal location for Granada, being currently empty and not too far from their studio in Manchester. And of course the income provides a much welcome boost to the Museum Appeal. With a little help from professional set builders the committee room was miraculously turned into a court room. Granada are using the set to film the second series of a popular drama called The Street.

The Campaign Office are continuing their efforts to raise money for the re-facing of the wall that faces onto Sparrow Park through the sale of brick certificates as gifts and as an opportunity for local people to support the museum. Every brick will be represented in the new displays with its owners' name as a record of the wonderful written dedications people have made. With a total of 10,000 bricks involved, the Brick Sale Scheme can still make a significant contribution to the project. If you haven't already bought some, the new Fusiliers' Museum needs your help more than ever. Learn more about this and the museum project or make a donation on our website www.fusiliersmuseum-lancashire.org.uk. For any other information call 0161 764 2208.