Broadfield House to Close

[simon bruntnell]

I have been informed that Waterford's are moving out of old 'Stuarts Red house cone' and the Broadfield collection will be moved there.

[David E]

Probably going for the record of one of the longest posts ever the following will nevertheless be of interest.

Further to my query on the proposed closure of Broadfield House, I have now received the following communication from Sandra Sakalas (PA to Assistant Director Culture and Leisure Services) on behalf of Duncan Lowndes, at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Firstly, my initial query was:

It has come to my attention that there is a proposal to close down Broadfield House. This is very disturbing news, although I am unaware to the fate of the Glass Museum.
 
Having spent time researching the archives at Himley Hall for my book, Chance Expressions, and knowing the excellent facilities at Broadfield House, the loss of this resource would be a tragedy.
 
However, is the Glass museum itself to close? I heard a rumour that it could be re-sited at the Red House Glass Cone, which raises more questions: "where" in the Cone would this be possible?! Also, the Cone is leased from the Waterford Wedgwood group, which itself is in difficulties.
 
Lastly, it is worth bearing in mind that Broadfield House Glass Museum is the NATIONAL Glass Museum, and is a resource to benefit the entire United Kingdom (and the international community), and not just limited to Stourbridge glass. As such I feel the proposal must be rejected.

After this was forwarded to Broadfield House, I followed this with:

Dear Sir/Madam,
 
The point of my comments was to raise awareness among those responsible for wishing to 'close' Broadfield House, and that such action could cause the loss of an extremely valuable resource!
 
There was little point, therefore, in passing my comments onto Broadfield House, when I have already communicated with Roger Dodsworth. What is disconcerting is the thought that this is being considered in the first place, and the lack of information regarding the inevitable problems that this closure raises - what is happening to the Glass Museum: the collections, the archives, etc? These highly pertinent questions need answering before a move is even considered.
 
If the Red House Glass Cone is being considered as a possible location, then this has serious flaws: lack of space, the land is leased from a company which is going into administration - in all likelihood the adminstrators will choose to sell this asset. So what exactly is the plan of action?
 
I would be grateful if my comments could be forwarded to whichever committee is responsible for even considering this dubious action in the first place.
 
With thanks.

Mr Lowndes reply, via his PA, is as follows:

Mr D Encill

21 January 2009

Dear Mr Encill

Broadfield House Glass Museum

Further to your e-mail of 15 January 2009 to the Council regarding the above.

The background to the issue relates to both the Council’s aspiration to amalgamate its Glass Heritage facilities on one site (Red House Cone) and a challenging financial climate.

As the Assistant Director responsible for Culture and Leisure Services I am well aware of the place of glass in the heritage of the Borough and would not wish to do anything that was detrimental to that.

To this end I and my officers have been tasked to undertake feasibility work in terms of how we could bring the collections and services that are currently split over 2 sites, under the one roof.

I am well aware as to the size of this challenge, that it may cost initially to bring this about and that the time frame that has been set for achieving this may be difficult to meet but we have been tasked to report back in the near future to Elected Members and appropriate Committees.

The Council has a 99 year lease on its part of the Red House Cone site so we have security there and the possibility of acquiring additional land and buildings will be explored as part of this process.

I know from meetings with the Friends of Broadfield House that there is much concern over this issue and have assured them that they will be involved in and advised of developments in this process throughout.

Yours sincerely
 
Duncan Lowndes
Assistant Director Culture and Leisure

I have my membership form filled, and a £6 cheque (yup, that's all) made out to The Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum at the address below. I strongly urge others to follow suit as this organisation is better placed than any other, to put pressure on those people who are involved with this proposal.

Hon. Membership Secretary
Friends of Broadfield House
c/o Broadfield House Glass Museum
Compton Drive
Kingswinford
West Midlands
DY6 9NS

[nigel benson]

David,

Thanks very much for that. I have always meant to join the friends and kept putting it to the back of my mind - I shall activate that in the morning

As for the placatory letter you received - were you?

Let's be vague, if the run around fails......... :( "In the near future", so, they have no sense of a time scale - really?

The more I hear the more frustrated I get. Such wonderful joined up thinking with implied promises....Urrgh

Nigel

[aa]

I too sent off my cheque to the Friends on Monday, stimulated by this thread, so let's hope we can boost the friends membership exponentially. As David says, is only £6, seems very good value.

[David E]

Thanks very much for that. I have always meant to join the friends and kept putting it to the back of my mind - I shall activate that in the morning

As for the placatory letter you received - were you?

No, not really – I appreciate that it might not be the intention to close Broadfield down entirely, but the lack of detail and forethought is worrying. I followed this up last night with:

Dear Sandra,
 
Many thanks for the prompt response. I am slightly more assured by Mr Lowndes comments, although I also understand the saving per annum is a mere £120k (or £140k depending on who one listens to), which is small beer compared with other ways costs could be saved.
 
I did also hear that if such a proposal were implemented, Kari Moodie and John Smith would not be keeping their current posts: again, rather disturbing news if true.
 
Is it also true that the museum has realised an increase in visitor numbers for the last year, from 11,000 to 15,000?
 
Lastly, and not wishing to take up your valuable time, 2010 is the 400th anniversary of glassmaking in Stourbridge. Is it not rather poignant that such a move/closure is being proposed to coincide with the epic milestone?

I think 'poignant' was probably the wrong word, but it had been a rather busy day... For those not in the know, Kari and John are full-time employees at Broadfield doing sterling work, and losing their expertise is equally unpalatable.

Addendum to Adam's comment: The Friends also accept Family membership at just £9 per annum and Corporate at £25 pa.

[aa]

Good letter David.

Haven't a moment to write myself, though I will have to get around to it. From experience with many different types of campaign, one of the best things we could do is to get as many people writing as possible and to as many different people as possible, copying in as many others as possible. So for example, one person writes to the MP and copies the councillors and the Mayor. Another writes to the Mayor and copies in the councillors. Someone else writes to the head of the tourist board and copies in the councillors and the Mayor and the MP etc
Also worth writing to the Prime Minister. He won't do anything but the letter will have to be passed down to the correct department. Write to the Minister as well. Don't use the same text for each of them.

...just some rambling thoughts!

[David E]

If anyone wishes to contact Sandra Sakalas direct, I am more than willing to pass on her details (rather annoying I don't have Mr Lowndes' address though).

However, adopting Adam's proposal, then if everyone wrote to the people featured here:

The Department of Culture, Media & Sport

... this might bring some national exposure to the problem. Additionally, it might be worth starting an online petition:

Government Petition

HOWEVER, I strongly urge that this is very carefully thought through before anyone bangs in some ill-thought-out petition that could have little effect or impact (or look incredibly stupid). So, clear heads please, and not after a glass (or five) of wine...

I have also been speaking with Denis Hebden about setting up a protest web site, where facts and figures, contact names, et al, can be posted. It will provide a focal point for anyone interested in fighting and debating this in the open.

Lastly, we must also consider (as I have mentioned before) about the suitability* of Broadfield House (the building) as a National Glass Museum. If a new site can be found and secured in the locality, this might not just be a compromise, but something that will ultimately benefit all parties. In other words, please don't think about Broadfield House as being the crux of the problem.

*Disabled access to the upper floors is one such problem with the existing building!

[David Hier]

As part of the Glass Association's attempt to prevent the closure of Broadfield, I will be posting useful campaign material on their Website later today or tomorrow.

This will include a summary of the facts surrounding the crisis, as well as Links and contact information that can be used to bring further attention to the plight of the museum.

This will include contact details for:

Mr Duncan Lowndes, Assistant Director Culture & Leisure, Directorate of the Urban Environment
Culture & Community, Claughton House, Blowers Green Road, Dudley, West Midlands

Mr J Millar, Director of Urban Environment, Dudley MBC, 3 St James’s Road, DUDLEY
DY1 1HZ

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley MBC, The Council House, Priory Road,
DUDLEY DY1

I will post a Link to the web-page once it is online. If anyone thinks that any vital facts or contact details have been omitted, I suggest that you contact the Glass Association with your suggestions.

[yelooc]

SAVE BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MUSEUM
Your input is now URGENTLY needed

This information should be read in conjunction with the announcement from the Glass Association. This list of contacts and email address may help you to get your message across.

A meeting is being held by the council in early February and a final decision regarding the future of Broadfield House will be announced on 2nd March. Please contact the following individuals to express your concerns:

John Millar, Director of Urban Environment
john.millar AT dudley.gov.uk

John Polychronakis, Interim CEO
john.polychronakis AT dudley.gov.uk

Duncan Lowndes, Assistant Director of Urban Environment
Duncan.lowndes AT dudley.gov.uk

Sally Orton, Head of Museums, Greenspaces & Bereavement Services
sally.orton AT dudley.gov.uk

David Tyler, Councillor
112 Victoria Street
Wall Heath
Kingswinford
West Midlands
DY6 0LX
Telephone:  01384 292340
cllr.dave.tyler AT dudley.gov.uk

David Blood, Councillor
8 Marlborough Gardens
Wordsley
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 5EE
Telephone: 01384 832166 (Home) 07801952201 (Mobile)
cllr.david.blood AT dudley.gov.uk
david AT dudleysouthconservatives.com

Karen Shakespeare
Councillor and Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture
34 Foley Road
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 0RT
Telephone:  01562 720499
cllr.karen.shakespeare AT dudley.gov.uk

Les Jones, Councillor
cllr.les.jones AT dudley.gov.uk

You can write or email or why not just pick up the phone!
Please help, please do it now, time is running out.

Best Regards

Graham Cooley


Moderator: Please change  AT  to @ and close up the spaces to use the email addresses.

[David E]

I think publishing e-mail addresses on this board contravenes the rules?

[yelooc]

All of the above contact details are freely available on the internet.

Graham

[David E]

So is mine... I'll leave it for the moderators to decide.

[Anne]

It's the way they are available Graham, and this board has a policy not to post email addresses in clear text which may be harvested by spambots.

(My Friends application form also posted off to them.)

[Anne]

Banner notice supporting the Museum now added to the GMB front page with the support and approval of Board owner Angela Bowey.

[David E]

Graham, could the addresses be changed to links where the e-mail addresses can be found?

Nice banner Anne!