IMPORTANT NEWS *****Questionaire for Broadfield House*****

[nigel benson]

                          SAVE BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MUSEUM
                                                     YOUR VOICE COUNTS


Hello Everybody,

IMPORTANT NEWS

There is a questionaire on the Dudley MBC website (link below), that I understand has been written by the Feasibility Study consultants L&R. It will be up there until midnight on the 31 August 09.

Please have a look, think about it, then fill it in, and pass on the link to friends, collegues, relatives, and/or put in onto your websites and blogs.

Many, many thanks, Nigel

• http://online.dudley.gov.uk/about/surveys/glass_collection_feasibility_study.htm

[Anne]

Has anyone managed to submit this yet as each time I've tried I'm getting the following notice:

Connection Interrupted  
The document contains no data.
The network link was interrupted while negotiating a connection. Please try again.

Not a very encouraging start is it?  

[nigel benson]

Hi Anne,

That may be good, as I am planning to post some information about the Red House Cone site, in particular, which may help your thoughts. However, I am waiting for permission to use it.

Please be patient, thanks, Nigel

[vidrioguapo]

Same for me Anne, tried several times so far.  Emmi

[Anne]

Thanks both. Nigel I look forward to reading your info.

[Carolyn Preston]

Me three. I thought it was because I was international, but I guess not.

Carolyn

[vidrioguapo]

Well I guess we'll have to print it off and post it then.  Emmi

[nigel benson]

Hello again,

RED HOUSE CONE SITE - Information:

For some time now I have been discussing the fact the Red House Cone site is more suited to glass archaeology, or, the history of making glass, whereas Broadfield House Glass Museum is really connected with the design and manufacture of glass, or, as we see below – the “Decorative Arts”. I thought it would be interesting for everyone to share in the information supplied to the consultants by the glass historian, Jason Ellis who I contacted for permission to use.


“For a large part of its life the Red House had nothing whosoever to do with the “Decorative Arts”. Under Bradleys, Ensells and Holts it was an industrial facility making first window glass, then bottles.

Table glass was introduced later and when owned by Wainwright, cutting began. However, what we know as “Decorative Art” was only produced briefly by Pargeter and subsequently by the Stuarts in the latter years of the site’s life. 

The vitally important parts of the archaeology, such as Ensells’s Lehr and the brickwork showing where the shawrer was extended, make the site of worldwide importance.

Therefore, putting the museum on the RHC site would detract from this and confuse the visitor.”


I hope you all find that as interesting and illuminating as I did, Nigel

[nigel benson]

More thoughts:

Over recent months it has been noted locally that the cone sited on the Red House Cone site has apparently begun to move.

Glass cones have a history of being there one day and gone the next - once they get into a particular condition - that is why there are only four left in the UK. Traditionally, the outside of the cone would be coated with linseed oil in order to seal it from the elements. Arguably, this was an old fashioned type of mastic. Certainly this is something that cannot be done now because of Fire Regulations.

It is also known that tunnels at the base of this Grade 1 Listed Building are in the process of collasping, although at a meeting I attended this week I understand plans to work on them have, or are, going out to tender. This cannot help the stability of the cone.

My concern is that should we fail to get a stay of execution on Broadfild House Glass Museum, or, the ideal of having a World class facility for the glass and its archives in its place, then I wonder if the Red House Cone site could then be closed for major repairs - meaning we loose both sites. The way Dudley Met Borough Council plans its works I fear that this thought is not impossible!

Publicity to Broadfield House since January has resulted in visitor figures doubling  When you compare figures with RHC site, adjust for the difference in opening hours, and take into account who is visiting the site about glass (and not for any other reason), BHGM now has double the visitor figures of RHC One of the arguements of DMBC was that they were substantually the other way around!!

To me, one answer is straightforward, if DMBC were ever wondering about the validity of BHGM then the uproar that the proposed move has engendered should have dispelled that. Perhaps the simple answer of good publicity and being well signposted would suffice?

Lastly, DMBC is a small borough with no money for major projects, especially in current financial times. Maybe we should be campaigning to get National funding for what is a locally significant resource of its heritage as well as being nationally and internationally important to the world of glass   

Perhaps, this should really be discussed elsewhere on the board, but I felt it was an opportunity to suggest the idea.

Nigel

[Carolyn Preston]

I've sent an email to Snap Surveys indicating that the link to submit survey responses for this survey was not working. Had to do something while the printer was warming up. 

Carolyn

[David E]

Thanks to Nigel for alerting us to this.

I also have been trying for several days, but have unearthed a contact number. Apparently they were "unaware of the problems" (what price a study, but what price error-checking?)

Feel free to ring: 01384 817403 - I believe the person responsible is Amy Shaw.

It is also imperative that as many people complete this study, Please note there are a few leading questions that could be interpreted or (mis)construed either way - as Nigel says: "Please have a look, think about it..."

[David E]

I have been informed by Dudley Council that the problem has now been fixed. I have managed to submit my form, although there was no confirmation it was a successful submission.

I therefore asked the Council to confirm it has definitely been received: naturally, with each form being anonymous, this is rather difficult to ascertain. However, I have been further assured it was received.

[nigel benson]

David,

Well done for finding the phone number and getting this sorted out. Thanks also for picking up on the 'arkward', or leading questions.

Nigel

[Frank]

Filled and submitted with no 'obvious' problem. Was rather unimpressed by the amateurish and in some cases abstract questions!

[flyboy90]

Is anybody out there having the same difficulty answering these questions truthfully?

I find that the whole questionaire is loaded towards a done deal.