Broadfield House to Close

[Frank]

It might be an idea to edit the first post with a summary of main links as it has got rather too long to keep up with and some visitors might miss the major links.

[yelooc]

Dear All,

Please see my attached email of 27th January and the response from Cllr. Les Jones, who has given me his permission to share his response with you; thank you Les.

-----Original Message-----
From: Graham Cooley
Sent: 27 January 2009 19:29
To: John Polychronakis; John Millar (DUE); Duncan Lowndes; Sally Orton;
Cllr. Dave Tyler; Cllr. David Blood; david@dudleysouthconservatives.com;
Cllr. Karen Shakespeare; Cllr. Les Jones
Cc: Adam Aaronson; nigelbenson@20thcentury-glass.com; Brian Clarke
Subject: RE: Broadfield House Glass Museum

Dear All,

A resident of Dudley who's family have been involved in property
development in Dudley has just stated on 'glass messages' that "a
developer is lined up to purchase the Broadfield building already."

This is in the public domain and I therefore draw your attention to it.
I would be grateful if you could confirm that this is not the case.

Graham



Dear Mr Cooley,

Although I don't have the authority to speak on behalf of the Council, I
would like to say in the clearest terms what I believe to be the case
today, and what I will strive for as an elected member supported by many
colleagues. I offer my views without prejudice but in good faith.

I can say with reasonable certainty that there is no buyer "lined up"
for Broadfield House. It may well be that since this issue has entered
the public domain some developers have started to take an interest in
the building, but I can assure you that it is not the motivation behind
the feasibility study and will not be a factor in terms of timescale or
outcome. There is, and will continue to be, much speculation about what
is going on and this is unavoidable in the circumstances. It doesn't
mean there is any truth in the speculation and I am determined that the
public should be kept fully appraised of the ongoing feasibility study
to keep misunderstanding to a minimum. I can further assure you that
from discussions with colleagues, there is no political will to do
anything but the right thing with regard to this most important glass
collection.

Since I am married to the Cabinet Member responsible for this issue, I
will be working closely with her and the Council officers tasked with
undertaking the study. Neither she nor I will be a party to any decision
which would lead to the loss or even the downgrading of the glass
exhibition currently housed at Broadfield House. In fact, as outlined in
Karen's letter, it is hoped that even more of our stored collections can
be put on display.

The worst case scenario, after all that has gone on over the last couple
of weeks, is that the study will lead to the conclusion that there is no
viable alternative and Broadfield House will remain as a museum. If that
is the worst that can happen, then I don't think we have much to fear.

I hope this provides some reassurance with regard to your concerns and I
hope we can work closely together to ensure that the next steps are the
right ones.

Best wishes,

Les

Cllr. Les Jones
Pedmore & Stourbridge East
01562 720499 Mobile 07973 504376

[David E]

Let us not be too comforted by this response.

Firstly, why the sudden action to close Broadfield House.

Cllr. Jones states,

The worst case scenario, after all that has gone on over the last couple
of weeks, is that the study will lead to the conclusion that there is no
viable alternative and Broadfield House will remain as a museum. If that
is the worst that can happen, then I don't think we have much to fear.

Really? So what is the best case scenario???

Think about it - if the council's "best case" is to shuffle the collections to the Red House Glass Cone (as has already been implied), then an "interim measure" could be to house a portion of the collection in a smaller gallery, with the intention to expand this "at a later date."

So, when we are all twiddling our thumbs in a year or so, wondering when this is ever going to happen, perhaps we then get contradicatory messages like: "we haven't got the staff; we haven't got the budget; this is earmarked for 2012; etc. etc."

I urge everyone to be very careful about responses from our democratically elected officials, who are looking at this "problem" from a totally different angle, namely to save money (as stated). Also, with it being a Conservative-led council, and with the current weak state of the nation, is such an issue like Broadfield likely to get them re-elected in the future, or not? A rhetorical question, of course.

Until we got firm commitments and promises for a PURPOSE-BUILT site to house the museum, with adequate floor spacing that matches, or exceeds that of Broadfield House (the building), then I will not be comforted by ANY such political rhetoric. Either the glass collections stay at Broadfield House, or it is rehoused PROPERLY.

Keep the pressure up, guys and gals, we are starting to make a difference

www.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk

[simon bruntnell]

I spoke to Central TV and left some details they called me today and I put them onto Charles Hajdamach and the friends of Broadfield they are following it up. The reporter seem very interested.

[nigel benson]

                       HELP SAVE BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MUSEUM
                                          YOUR VOICE COUNTS


It seems that we are witnessing some rather obvious manipulation of the truth by council sources. To date, the visitor figures quoted have been 15,000 for Broadfield House for the last year with Karen Shakespeare saying that there were 20,000 to the Red House Cone.

Interestingly, the numbers quoted to the local paper, The Express and Star, are:

Broadfield House costs £250,000 a year to run, attracting around 8,500 visitors. More than 27,000 people flock to the cone each year."

These are also figures from Karen Shakespeare, who gave the quote.


At a meeting last night it was announced that visitor figures to BOTH sites average at:

                         10 people per hour.


This might be a more accurate figure to use since each site has a different number of opening hours:

Red House Cone:  7 days per week, totalling 42 hours

                         NOTE:
                         ANY visitor is included, meaning that RHC gets an average
                         of 10k more per yer than BH (see below for detail)

Broadfield House:  6 days per week, totalling 24 hours
                         

Visitor figures at the Red House Cone site include:

                       
                         Any conference that is held at Red House Cone - whatever
                         the subject matter

                         All the people who visit the site to go to Connexions - a
                         goverment job agency

                         The people who work in studios and offices

                         People who only visit the tea rooms
 
                         Anyone who visits the Stuarts Crystal shop


A fair comparison - I think NOT


This financial year visitors to Broadfield House have been 12k in first three quarters of the year -  IMPORTANTLY, EACH VISITOR IS COUNTED



Do I detect politian spin?????


Nigel

[David E]

Nigel,

Thanks for a very illuminating post - more of this ammunition please!

Just one point: can you explain what you mean by the following, please:

All the people who visit the site to go to Connexions - a goverment job agency

I visited there yesterday, but felt no compunction to visit the Job Centre 

http://www.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk

[nigel benson]

                      HELP SAVE BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MUSEUM
                                                 YOUR VOICE COUNTS

Connexions use about a third of the office space at the Red House Cone.


Nigel

[David E]

Thanks, I wasn't aware of this - it does explain a few things about the visitor numbers.

PHOTOGRAPHS

I have now posted about 16MBs worth of photographs on GlassyEye.com, which may be used for any purpose related to this protest. There are three blocks of photos.

Please ensure that if you post any photograph, then this is made clear (there's no need to credit me as copyright holder). Also, any photographs posted of Broadfield House must be credited as follows:

Photos courtesy Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum

None of the photos are posted for their artistic excellence. They serve a function.

[David E]

I am reliably informed that the turnover from the 2008 Biennial was £750,000.

If the intention is to save £240,000 (which has mysteriously doubled from the £120K originally quoted), then as the Biennial is every two years, the argument for the yearly saving of closing Broadfield is probably completely negated. Also: if you take away the museum, then the Biennial is deprecated, meaning less visitors, resulting in a lower turnover.

The implication is that the Biennial creates more than enough profit to cover the cost of running the museum and still saves enough for the councillors to fly around the world on jollies.

[yelooc]

Shameful loss to both area and our heritage
Stourbridge News
11:00am Thursday 29th January 2009

I READ with disgust the news to close Broadfield House Glass Museum. This museum is central to Stourbridge’s identity as a significant centre of glass and without it we will cease to attract numerous visitors to the area. Whilst the council could argue that the Cone provides a suitable alternative location, anyone that has visited both sites would agree that this is rubbish. Broadfield House is a beautiful, tranquil location and I know many thousands of pounds have been spent in the past making it a secure location. This money would now need to be spent at the Cone. I would guess that the decision to close the museum is centred on the development potential of the land which would generate a sizeable lump sum for the council should the land be sold!

As a descendant of George Woodall, one of the notable cameo glass makers in Stourbridge, and owner of a piece of George Woodall Cameo glass, for many years our family piece has been displayed in the museum. My brother, Christopher Perry wrote a book on George Woodall and was instrumental in launching a unique exhibition of Woodall cameo glass at the museum several years ago. This history cannot be lost to cost cutting bureaucrats and with this in mind I feel certain that should Dudley Met close Broadfield House I would have no hesitation, out of protest, offering the piece to one of the national museums rather than to support this disgraceful move. What a shame and a loss to the area.

V Perry Wollaston

http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/yourletters/4082683.Shameful_loss_to_both_area_and_our_heritage___/

[David E]

And on the heels of this announcement, I also meant to relay this mildly worrying news: while at Broadfield House on Thursday, I heard that two people had already called in personally to ask for their loan pieces back.

Hopefully this will not escalate into a full-scale withdrawal of any important collections!

[simon bruntnell]

Yes David, as I posted earlier  executives of two major collections, have shown concerns. About 4.5 milloins pounds worth of glass

[Ettiene]

Hi Graham,

I noticed you had posted the text and link to a news item that was put on http://www.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk/ yesterday.

It would be very helpful to Barbara Beadman if you could post a link to the site so that people are directed towards it as well as fowarding any information to her.

The site now contains a great deal of information on Councillors and MPs that can be written to and a few hints and tips on letter writing for those who haven't had to do a formal letter for a while.

Barabara's email address is campaignatfriendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk



Thanks




Ettiene

[David E]

I have just sent the following e-mail to The Society of Glass Technology. Although not involving collectors as such, its members support would be welcome. I have queried the society before on a couple of matters and the people there have always been most helpful.

Proposed closure of Broadfield House
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
Following the announcement by Dudley Council to close Broadfield House and shoe-horn the collection into an inferior site at the Red House Glass Cone, I feel it is necessary to notify as many people as possible to this alarming fact.
 
Could I trouble you to alert your members to this troubling news?
 
There are three sites worth visiting, all inter-linked:
 
www.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk
www.gopetition.com/online/24751.html
www.glassassociation.org.uk
 
The support of members from The Society of Glass Technology would be most welcome, particularly in signing the petition!

[Anne]

Following on from David's posting of his photos as to what will be lost if BHGM goes, here is a page about the BH paperweights collection:  http://www.justglass.co.uk/Gallery/BDH/index.htm