Closure Crisis For Broadfield House Glass Museum
It has been announced that Dudley Council plans to close the world renowned Broadfield House Glass Museum, which houses one of the finest glass collections in the UK.
The museum is due to close it's doors by March 2010 and it has been proposed that it's glass collections and archive material will be moved to the Red House Cone (Wordsley, Stourbridge).
Whilst there has been talk of regenerating the Red House Cone site, the current facilities simply aren't capable of adequately showcasing Broadfield House's substantial glass collections and archives. Since Dudley Council have conceded that the museum's closure is part of their cost-cutting plans, it seems highly unlikely there will be any funding available to expand the Red House Cone site.
This would be disastrous for Broadfield House Glass Museum as it would result in much of it's glass collection being hidden from public view. Worse still, if closing and relocating the museum does not provide the savings anticipated by Dudley Council, it may be necessary to sell all (or part) of the museum's glass collection.
Over the years the substantial archives at Broadfield House have been an invaluable and highly important source of information for glass researchers, makers and enthusiasts. It is likely that the limited facilities at the Red House Cone will also prevent the public from having access to large portions of the museum's archives.
Dudley Council's plans have been put into place without consultation and there has been no financial or practical evaluation for the proposed closure and relocation of the museum's glass and archive collections. The plan to close Broadfield House is ill-conceived and will result in a tragic loss for the heritage of an area that has an international reputation for glass making excellence.
How You Can Help
Plans have already been set in motion to try and save Broadfield House. Various local MPs have vowed to try and save the museum and a campaign is being spearheaded by The Glass Association.
You can read more about the Glass Association's campaign on their Website, where you will find useful information and details about where you can send your own letters of protest:
www.glassassociation.org.uk/News/broadfield.html
The Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum are also actively contributing to the campaign to save the museum. To learn more, please visit their Website:
www.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk
Sign the Glass Association's Petition
As part of the Glass Association's campaign they have organised an online petition, which can be found here:
www.gopetition.com/petitions/broadfield-house-glass-museum.html
The Glass Association will also distribute a hard-copy petition at various locations around the UK.
More Information
On the 2nd of March 2009, Dudley Council plan to make their final decision about the closure of Broadfield House Glass Museum. It is therefore a matter of urgency that you sign the Glass Association's petition and send your letters of complaint as soon as possible.
You can read more about the proposed closure of Broadfield House Glass Museum on the following Websites:
www.stourbridgenews.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk
www.expressandstar.com
www.expressandstar.com
www.itvlocal.com
You can also keep track of the latest developments and voice your opinion on the following message board:
www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,24552.0.html
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