Glass Message Board
Glass Mall => Glass News => Topic started by: Anne on December 22, 2009, 05:32:03 PM
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Our earlier topic about the proposed closure of the museum has spanned 433 posts over a vast number of pages, but now seems the time to lock the "... to close (http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,24552.420.html)" topic and start a new one with ideas of how to move the campaign forward.
A couple of recent stories in the Stourbridge News:
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/4785001.Fears_for_consultation_on_glass_heritage_future/ and
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/4787979.Glass_row_heats_up_after_Cabinet_vote/ outlines both the fears of the campaigners that Dudley has made up its collective mind regardless of the feasibility study results, and what happened at the last Dudley MBC meeting on 9 December.
Cllr Lowe said: “The meeting had more council officers than elected representatives or community groups, at the moment the council leadership is listening to officers more than the community.”
In a report for the cabinet meeting, council officers are recommending the next stage of the study should focus on developing detailed proposals and costings for moving the collection to the Cone after the successful purchase of the Stuart Crystal buildings.
As this sounds like a done deal, some of the points which need to be raised both in the media and with the council are:
The Council needs to listen to local opinion, to the Friends of BH, and to all interested parties wherever they may be. They need to involve the glass community in any steps they take for the collections and archives.
Where is Dudley MBC's councillors' commitment and authority in this? Is the cabinet going to let council officers and bean-counters who do not care about collections decide on their future?
Does Dudley MBC honestly realise just how important these collections really are?
It's time we as glassies put pen to paper or finger to keyboard once more and added our views again by writing to Bev Holder at the Stourbridge News and to the Editor at the Express and Star to express how we feel about the way that DMBC are handling this. Do we want the glass collection to be moved to the site being pushed by council officers or do we want Dudley MBC to really think outside the box and give the collection the housing it deserves?
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/contactus/
http://www.expressandstar.com/about-us/contact-us/
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Also, write to anyone else you can think of. Letters to the national dailies are great as it raises the profile of the whole campaign and makes local councillors aware that the eyes of the whole country are upon them!
Forthcoming elections are also a great way to focus the mind of elected representatives!
To find the website and contacts of your favourite / targeted newspaper, national or local, this site is useful:
http://dailynewspaper.co.uk/ 8)
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There was a front page article in todays 'Black Country Mail' by Steve Bradley,Thursday,31st Dec'
According to coun' Jones they had abandoned the idea of seeking funds for a new facility because of a likely £7 million plus bill,he also said the move to Red House Cone would go ahead as long as they could afford the projected cost of up to £5 million and that "it is our intention to relocate to 'the cone' but we don't know yet whether it is viable" and in relation to creating a new museum he said "I'm sorry,we haven't got that kind of money."
Thought I should post this,Keith.
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http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/local/4841069.Campaigners_to_continue_fight/
Well done Jan! Keep up the good work! :)
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Greetings all,
First may I will introduce myself, I am the newly elected Chairman of the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers, and I also run my own scientific glassblowing company and have been involve in our "community" since 1973.
Broadfield House has a special place in my life and that's because we all know that IT is a special place.
I have been in communication with Janet Hendry for a few months now, ever since we met at the meeting when the Local Council called a public meeting to "show" the public the options.... Those options were extremly biased in favour of a total closure of the museum, I voiced my opinion to exclaim my shock and horror at a ludicrus expense in terms of public funds and a crazy idea to shut the existing museum.... The public and the press were behind this and for all the work that Janet had done to highlight the madness, the Council then put out a public statement to say that a U turn has been taken and the Museum was safe.
It now looks like the Council were telling untruths and that a decision MUST have taken place in camera and I think that those minutes of that meeting should be made public
I would like to express my thanks to Janet for the work that she has done to keep "OUR" glass collection safe. I believe that Janet has an article that will be publised in our (BSSG) Journal and I will be making sure that I will be following up on this story. I will be writing to the MP of that District to explain what is going on when the local authority is making and taking liberties with local public funds and a National Treasure..... rant over !
I whole heartily give my personal 100% support to Janet's work and I will be expessing my feelings to other "Official" glass societies and companies.
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Will, welcome to the board and thank you for your update on the current situation. It's sad to hear that Dudley MBC has done a U-turn - although I suspect many of us aren't surprised to hear it - most politicians appear to be less trustworthy by the day if the news stories are to be believed!
The board has supported the campaign to save the museum from the outset - we as glassies know its value but we need to get that message back out again to the wider community, this time going to national government and press and making as much fuss as we can. We have elections on the horizon - can we use this in some way to push the campaign along?
There are lots of people willing to help, we just need to know how best to do so. :)
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Hello All,
In a meeting with campaign representatives in December the council, through Cllr Les Jones, made it very clear that they were going on with the RHC proposals regardless of what we campaigners think, feel, or believe.
For my part I fervently believe this to be a mistake on behalf of DMBC, not because of my bias toward protecting the heritage of British glass, but also because I truly think they are missing a major opportunity to aid local regeneration and increase visitors to the area - which in turn will mean income to the locality.
Of course this is only an opinion, however DMBC appear to give great credence to opinion, since their own officer, Duncan Lowndes, gave his opinion in that same meeting that a Trust for the museum, its collections and archives, would not work. There was no empirical evidence for this, purely an opinion. Apparently that is OK when it is an officer of DMBC .
Whereas Duncan Lowndes cannot back up his opinion with facts, I can - by using DMBC's own documents, whereby they clearly state that their aim is to increase overnight stays in the area.
So, in order to do this they propose close a good attraction that they have not given publicity to over the years (BHGM), in favour of supporting an ailling attraction (RHC) which they cannot close, since, if they do, they will have to repay monies given by European Funding to revamp the RHC.
Of course, rather than examine what might work on that site they follow a course that is based purely on an idea, without substantiation, that by moving another attraction in it will answer the problem. Forget the problems associated with the 'A' road passing by, and the lack of parking facilities that are actually NOT owned by the council. Instead follow a 'wizzo' idea.
If DMBC were serious they would have gone about this in a direct way, rather than hide their intentions behind what they will claim to be an independent study - which it cannot be since it's terms of reference were dictated by themselves, through their officers, and not the wider requirements of the borough dictated by their own documents and proposals for the area regarding regeneration and tourism.
Furthermore, when challenged to substantiate the figure of £7 million pounds to develop an unspecified site, they refused - might this be because in someone's opinion it will cost that much. Why, because whoever it was stuck their finger in the air and the answer was (shock, horror) £7m !!!
What a bunch of untrustworthy, devious people we really are dealing with. But, why should I be surprised, they are politicians, albeit led by officers of the council.
When the council representative appointed to read this thread does so, please report my comments in full.
Many thanks, Nigel Benson
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What I could not understand as well, was that the Council believe that they can get 50,000 people a year through the doors of the so called "new" Red Cone site...Do they really believe that about 1000 people a week would be able to go through the facility and would be able to park their cars, with only about 40 car park spaces nearby... Crazy or what ! AND that's with them cramming the Glass Collection into a dark building that has to be altered to accommadate differently abled persons to view the collection.
The whole idea is madness with the intent to release funds from the sale of the Broadfield House building and use public funds to support that sale.
I would love to know the names of the people that the Chairman of the Council meeting said he spoke to " That were very high up in the Glass industry" as I know a vast amount of "those" people, I would love to talk to them as well and see what they make of it all.
Then with the Main road that is always congested and also a canal running on the otherside of the Cone, it is madness to believe that the Council can magic up more space... ohhhhh yeah they (the Council) bought the old building that was a glass company that went bust (due to the lack of passing trade even though they had visitors next door in the Cone) How come that the sale was not for "open" release for potential buyers ??? ohhhh yeah, cheat cards were being used to secure that sale !!!!
The arrogance of the Council that think "they" know best is breathtakingly unbelievable.
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Will — I will add my own warm welcome to the GMB to Anne's (I'm a committee member).
Your comments sparked off an historical line of thought that has not been discussed, although it may not prove useful. I don't believe that it was just the canals and local resource availability that brought the glass industry to Stourbridge. Multiple land ownership and its situation in several parishes across a county boundary meant that the glass entrepeneurs could operate relatively free of political interference. I think our glass forefathers would be horrified at the amalgamation of this area under one remote and hostile authority.
Bernard C. 8)
ps — any possibility of sharing transport to the Dudley / Stourbridge area to keep costs down?
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Hi All,
I have been chosen as the Lib Dem candidate for the Kingswinford South Ward. (this is where Broadfield House Glass Museum is)
I have campaigned for 12 months now to preserve, enhance and promote the glass collections and archives.
We are proud of the glass heritage in the Dudley Borough and hope one day to promote it in the manner it deserves.
Janet Hendry
Leader of Save Our Glass Heritage
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Good luck Janet!
Your work has been seemingly tireless in trying to preserve the collections of glass and glass heritage in the Black Country area, each stage has been carefully reported in the local newspapers, almost weekly. I hope your political campaign runs well as you seem sincere and commited to the area,
Robert (bOBA)
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Hey Janet
Good luck with the election, if you get through (I am sure that you will) I feel sure that the Glass Museum at Broadfield House will then be at the forefront of the agenda when it comes to local issues. Once you are on the inside, I am sure that you will be able to see the records (which should be publically available) that have been kept from the media because it might show what has really been going on.... Rah Rah Rah for Janet, go for it girl !!!
Will Fludgate
BSSG Chairman
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Great news Janet, and thanks for keeping us updated here. Good luck with the campaign!
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Congratulations, Janet! If every GMB member could persuade just one person to vote for you that would be almost 4000 votes!! So everyone should check their address books to see if they know anyone in your constituency... :)
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Hi All,
Just to let everyone know we are having a 30th Anniversary Concert for Broadfield House Glass Museum on March 6th at Kingswinford Methodist Church Kingswinford DY6 9NP (we nearly didn't get here)
The 3 tier cake is ordered - the balloons are ready to be blown up - all to celebrate a great museum and some of the best glass collections in the world!
Please email for further details. Please come along and help us celebrate! :hiclp:
JH
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Congrats Janet its what this Ward needs someone to speak the truth and support the glass heritage which the other shower dont seem to do! You have my vote and lots of others too.
Flyboy 90 :hiclp:
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Protest to be held at Broadfield House Glass Museum 29.1.10
Dudley Council voted on 12th October 2009 to work towards creating a museum of national importance for the Dudley Borough. In the opinion of many, this resolution has not been upheld and as a result negotiations have broken down.
The glass collections are a national treasure and Dudley Council has treated the museum, the collections and the people of the borough with disdain and contempt. In Birmingham we have a council supporting culture and in Dudley there is a cultural disaster about to happen.
JH
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Protest Update On Broadfield House Glass Museum
A successful protest was held at Broadfield House Glass Museum. It was well attended by the friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum, including the Chairman Barbara Beadman, local Lib Dem Councillor Lynn Boleyn, leader of Save Our Glass Heritage Campaign Janet Hendry and local people. The protest was held after talks between the council and interested glass parties of the museum broke down and the future of the collections is once again uncertain.
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If Dudley do not want the glass it might be time to find someone that would. No reason it should stay in the UK as long as it as assured of a permanent and accessible home. There are probably several museums in Europe, possibly even China, that would leap at such an opportunity. These days UK Museums seem to go for multimedia experiences to draw the crowds in and boost their 'performance' ratings. Culture has little value in that equation beyond its realisable commodity value and that is usually made elsewhere. Glass falls low down on virtually all museum agendas, look at the V&A displays!
I guess if the idea got taken up, the press would have a field day as there is nothing like stirring up a bit of national fervour to sell papers. It might also get the attention it deserves from Parliament which the local efforts do not seem to have managed to really stir up.
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If Dudley do not want the glass it might be time to find someone that would.
Dudley do want the glass. They just don't want to display it properly. They own most of it, with the exception of the loan collections. So moving it out of the borough is not really an option.
It might also get the attention it deserves from Parliament which the local efforts do not seem to have managed to really stir up.
Actually, this has been debated in Parliament, to the considerble embarassment of Dudley Council.
It's quite difficult to get anything debated in Parliament, so this was quite an achievement.
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I saw the debate but it has been left as a local issue. Do Dudley own it or the nation? Clearly they have no interest in it if they do not want to display it especially with the much more interesting propspect of all the usual pocket lining with the disposal of property. Reports of decay in the proposed site and poor traffic facilities, the only reason for moving it there is to show it is of no major public interest (never mind the public cannot get to it) and then they can sell off that property too. If the state of repair is as bad as some of the reports getting the buildings condemned would be a straightforward tactic repeatedly used to clear 'historic' sites. If you look at the situation from the council and their financial well-being then the best thing is to pack the glass into a warehouse and level the properties.
With a collection and archive of such importance it needs to be handled by someone else if it is ever to be displayed properly as clearly from what is being said Broadfield House will close.
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Dear All,
The adjournment debate that was led by Linda Waltho MP for Stourbridge was indeed an achievement.
Everyday Broadfield House Glass Museum is open is an achievement - lets not kid ourselves the precious glass and priceless archives could easily have been boxed up by now, had it not have been for the success of the campaign mounted against the closure of the glass museum.
I would urge everyone to remain strong and tall as all the glass community, the many glass experts and our friends all over the world - stand together against any closure of Broadfield House Glass Museum or moving its contents to an unsuitable site.
JH
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We have the support of Euro MP Liz Lynne.
http://www.lizlynne.org.uk/news/001273/euro_mp_welcomes_choice_of_leading_glass_heritage_campaigner_for_council_battle.html
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To all except visitors here, the message going out is that Broadfield Glass Museum has been saved. This is being circulated via all the major glass news bulletins and glass societies.
If the protest is not managing a cohesive organisation it cannot succeed, clearly the council has more effective PR.
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We know that stop banging on, give us some help rather than been crittical,otherwise we will lose it.
flyboy90
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Suggestions do not seem to be discussed. Why not publish a public agenda signed by all glass. museum and other interest groups.
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Frank,
Please think on :)
Because then, DMBC will know exactly was is being organised and it will negate any negotiations that are likely to happen with them. Why would you want to tell DMBC what is going on, either as a campaign, or an agenda, before you might wish to?
Technology can be used in a far more useful way, so lets be a bit more positive. If DMBC have managed to successfully 'spin' an announcement perhaps our job is to ensure everyone knows the truth of the matter? ;) :)
So, just in case, let's all do something small, and make sure we mention this to any and all folks that we know. We know the voice we raised before and it's just there waiting to be asked again. There's more of us than them, so get talking folks.......... ;D ;D
Thanks to all out there, Nigel
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Working behind closed doors with a carefully spun public campaign may be the deceitful way that these particular council officials work. But if most of the glass world are being informed that the campaign has been successful when it has not, then more airing in public will at least give an opportunity to debunk the spin being put out by a council.
This does not mean that the full details of the campaign need to be made public. Just enough to ensure that all interest groups are properly informed. Further if you can show publicly that there is solidarity in a campaign then you are more likely to achieve a common voice. The very fact that contradictory stories are being published is in itself sufficient for the council to be feeling comfortable that they will achieve whatever they wish too.
Had I not been visiting the gmb I would by now be feeling quite happy that the museum has been saved. The latest Glass Cone makes no mention of the situation, I was disappointed by this!
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Anybody who posts on this subject should be aware that anything they say here will be read by the executive and members of Dudley Council as well as their PR department. This is an open forum.
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Hopefully it will be read by their website managers too, all the links on this page are broken:
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums--galleries/glass-museum/reference
In general it is a poor website for the museum. As to the glass cone page:
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums--galleries/red-house-glass-cone
They proudly announce "Since this time the site has remained virtually unaltered and therefore provides a fascinating insight into the history and tradition of glassmaking" :24: accompanied by a picture where the glass cone is mostly obscured by a dreary shop-like entrance building.
But I guess the protest does not want any public duiscussion, :pb: sorry to have intruded. Why not get the threads deleted. Then we can hear about it in the press http://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/7334.aspx
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Hi,
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums--galleries/glass-museum/reference
In general it is a poor website for the museum. As to the glass cone page:
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums--galleries/red-house-glass-cone
They proudly announce "Since this time the site has remained virtually unaltered and therefore provides a fascinating insight into the history and tradition of glassmaking" accompanied by a picture where the glass cone is mostly obscured by a dreary shop-like entrance building.
Excellant comment Frank.
Totally shows how darn ineffective DMBC are about promoting what they do have, which begs the question about what they say they will do for the RHC when the collections are conveniently moved into the top floor as they seem to wish. They still have no concept of what they hold in trust as heritage of the locality and for the nation.
It's no wonder that they claim visitor figures are low for BHGM when they manipulate times that visitors have to visit each site to achieve them. Further, even though they rely on their own publicity department to monitor this and other sites on the internet, they have always given BHGM very low priority on the publicity front.
Could this be because they totally misuse public funds to monitor each and every protest that takes place in the borough and use the publicity department's time do anything, but what the public would expect that it's for?
In addition the appaulling signposting for the museum means that, up until the recent publicity gained by our protests even locals didn't know of its existance. They do now though :thup:
But I guess the protest does not want any public duiscussion, sorry to have intruded.
Not what I want to hear from a valued and long-term member of this board. Please carrying on contributing to this discussion. We do need, and value, your support.
Nigel
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Course I will Nigel >:D can't be the devil's advocate without bringing up uncomfortable truths.
My commercial experience of councils is that contracts go to those who pay for them - does not mean that they do no get good deals but the bidders who approach them, in the appropriate manner, are also advised of the price to be beaten. Misuse of public funds might be a difficult accusation to prove but stupidity would probably not in cases like this. From what I have seen and read the Glass Cone site lacks the space, lacks parking facilities and is suffering from serious structural weakness - would it be unfortunate if having completed the move they then have to condemn the structure as unsound. Or would that be the plan? To condemn the glass cone now would prevent the sale of Broadfield House as they would have nowhere else to show a few bits of glass. Once Broadfield House is out of the way then they could get on with eliminating problem No 2. Glass can then go into low cost storage.
It seems quite feasible to speculate that ulterior motives are at work here. Why take a collection that is clearly regarded by an international audience as of the highest importance and use it in jockeying over property deals and savings that would not provide toothpicks for the boroughs staff? Could it be that the councillors resent an intellectual audience from commenting on what to them is probably no more than a bundle of used wine glasses. Do they forget that the people who made that worked their butts of in appalling conditions for working lives often cut short by the poisons they were forced to work with? Cultural heritage is not an elitist concept even if its value is heralded by elitist academics. It is the remembrance of the blood and sweat of the working classes that stoked the fires and gave the area of Stourbridge a place in history. But history is perhaps a poorly regarded aspect for businessmen concerned with short term gain.
The amazing thing is that the group that are pushing for this closure are so thick to believe that people will not see through their ridiculous games - the locals should be looking at them as traitors to their ancestors and make it clear they are going nowhere at the next election.
Having said all of that, I would also like to point out that my commercial and social experience of the council workers that actually do the work, are invariably of a different character! These workers 'really' care for their towns and its people.
I would approach the relevant unions to see if they can get the council workers - whose grandparents, and generations before, work is being so pitifully abused (by a small group that do not believe public opinion as being any more than a pain in the ass) to do their bit in getting this mess sorted out. A council strike would have a lot more impact than can be imagined, particularly one where heritage and not money was at stake. The Dutch are very good at this type of protest, come on people of Dudley show the council members the value of your heritage.
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Could it be that the councillors resent an intellectual audience from commenting on what to them is probably no more than a bundle of used wine glasses.
Yes.
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;D
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This report shows how far in the Middle Ages Dudley's council really is
http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/4491669.Angry_council_workers_demand_equal_pay/
http://www.unisondudleygeneral.org.uk/
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Article in Stourbridge News - Roadshow stars hit out over museum saga
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/5005353.Roadshow_stars_hit_out_over_museum_saga/
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This is from Graham's original post in January 2009.
"I am reliably informed that Broadfield House Glass Museum is to close in March 2010. I think that this is a tragedy. In my opinion Broadfield House is a national treasure.
I wonder; what can we do? Does anyone else have any information?
Graham"
I have just received from Dudley Council an 8 page leaflet detailing all planned events for the Red House Cone, Broadfield House Glass Museum, and Dudley Museum & Art Gallery for 2010.
Among other things It states:
"One of the best glass collections in the world can be found at Broadfield House Glass Museum in the borough's historic Glass Quarter" The programme of exhibitions for 2010 ends with 20th Century British Glass which runs till the 31st December. It also proudly displays the MLA logo and accreditation status.
While I understand that there is still a groundswell of opinion that states that until phase 2 of the feasibility study is completed, the future of the museum remains unclear, the fact remains that the campaign to prevent the closure in March 2010 has been an unqualified success. It is not closing in March 2010 and it's programme of exhibitions suggests it will survive the election year.
I heard recently that it seems that Phase 2 of the feasibility study has not yet in fact commenced. Phase 2 is likely to be a costly and time-consuming exercise. It would not surprise me if it was some time before it went ahead, if at all. However, that is conjecture on my part, and perhaps wishful thinking.
This is probably a good time for reflection, to allow new ideas for securing the future of the museum and its collections to come to the fore.
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I received the same booklet this morning Adam, and came to the same conclusion as you have.
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It's even better than you thought, Adam and Anne. On the previous page there is a Broadfield House exhibition running until 27th February 2011.
I wonder how many Dudley Councillors have read their own booklet?
And, more to the point, I wonder how many Dudley Councillors have visited Broadfield House Glass Museum?
Bernard C. 8)
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NEWS ALERT!
Hot off the press - Broadfield Video on line now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOIn9UIW_qY
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NEWS ALERT!
Hot off the press - Broadfield Video on line now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOIn9UIW_qY
And a lovely video it is, too!
Carolyn
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Excellent work. Well done. I shall pass the URL to loads of my contacts.
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Well done! :hiclp: Now we need to post this worldwide to spread the word. :thup:
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News Alert!
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/5037993.Glass_campaigners_unite/
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Fabulous news Jan, well done to all concerned. Onward and upward!
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Excellent news! Will post link on SG
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And good on Colm Sands! :hiclp: I heard him at the National Folk Festival (Canberra) last year and he was fantastic.
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30th Anniversary Concert was a great success!
Colum Sands wrote a song especially for the occasion and a vase made by Allister Malcolm, was presented to him at the end of the evening.
There was a special presentation for Graham Knowles. Benefactor of the hot glass studio at Broadfield.
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Nick Clegg - Leader of the Liberal Democrats visited Stourbridge today and backed the Campaign to save and enhance the glass collections and archives held at Broadfield House Glass Museum.
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Stourbridge News Article - Nick Clegg worried about Glass Collections. Currently the most read article in Stourbridge News.
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/5077691.Clegg_backs_Kingswinford_glass_campaign
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The setting up of The British Glass Foundation is a historic moment, recognising the 400 year old glass heritage of Stourbridge Glass. It is important to keep the glassmaking legacy alive in our area, by encouraging and supporting glass artists. This is the most exciting development that has happened, since the campaign to save our glass heritage began over 12 months ago.
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Can you tell us more about The British Glass Foundation please Janet?
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The British Glass Foundation is a group founded at the V & A in London on the 25th February 2010. It is a group of national bodies such as benefactors of Broadfield House Glass Museum, the glass association, glass experts, the president of the Friends of Broadfield, glass experts, local business people as well as David William-Thomas whose family owned Stevens & Williams and then Royal Brierley Crystal. Steven Pollock-Hill President of British Glass 2010 said "The meeting on 30th March 2010 will be a focus point for all those that want to preserve the history and heritage of the Stourbridge area to retain its heritage in a suitable location, from those who are interested in glass locally and nationally. The British Glass Industry Federation gives it its full support".
After working on the campaign for over 12 months - I believe yesterdays meeting was a positive breakthrough to keep the legacy of glassmaking alive in the Stourbridge area. :hiclp:
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An article in local paper 2nd April 2010 called Axe-threat museum landmark weekend.
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Hello,
In Mondays issue of the Express and Star 26 April 2010, it was reported that the council are aware that the Red House Cone is suffering 'ongoing deterioration' and that it has been placed on the 'at risk' register.
Amazing how on the ball these people are. I seem to remember drawing attention to this problem sometime last year, along with a number of other people.
However, although this may be problematic, you will all be pleased to hear that it is being monitored by the highly technical system of "The day-to-day management of the site involving the visually monitoring the condition of the building.". Yes, John Miller, Director of Urban Environment is content with this since "... the council's nominated structural engineer does not have any immediate concerns.....".
What does this mean? That if work starts on DMBC's proposal to move the collections to a 'suitable world class site' (of our choosing), the Red House Cone, any building work could bring on the implosion of the building? Or, does it mean that it is robust enough to withstand any day-to-day vibration experienced when juggernauts pass by? Or that, as is well known about glass cones, and the reason that this example is only one of four left in the UK, that the building could give out overnight with no notice?
If you think that this is scare mungering then ask what is being done to maintain the credibility of the structure and what was done in the past to keep cones standing. Unfortunately, the remedies of the past cannot now be used, since they are against Health and Safety (for once for good reason, because of their flammability), but apparently nothing is possible in its stead. Visual inspection is no remedy, and frankly, would IMHO make DMBC palpable should anything untoward happen, since they have been warned.
Nigel
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I've just seen something that may, or may not, be of help to the Brioadfield cause.
On the latest edition of the Jonathan Ross show he revealed that it's one of his life's ambitions to have a go at glass blowing (this brings to mind the time that Vic Bamforth sent Jonathan Ross a painted Graal).
It would be great if someone could arrange for Jonathan to visit Broadfieldand or the Red House Cone and receive a master class from Alllister Malcolm or Vic. Obviously this would give the Broadfield cause some much needed publicity.
Considering the contacts that some GMB members have with the BBC, is there any chance of putting any of these ideas into action?
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Great idea David,
We will see what we can do!
Update on Kingswinford local elections - Many thousands of leaflets were put out about our glass heritage, but having a local elections on General election day resulted in the Conservative Cllrs that voted budget cuts to close Broadfield being voted back in.
We also have gained 2 local Conservative MPs.
JH
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I see that there was an article in the Stourbridge newspaper on 14 July 2010. I fear that this topic has gotten "buried" on the GMB, and I'd like to see it placed at the top of the home page once more so that readers from afar can follow the latest news.
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Hi James,
There is a charity being set up at the moment. As soon as we can give you more details we will. A group of organisations and individuals have come together to help secure the future of the glass collections and archives currently held at Broadfield House Glass Museum and Himley Hall.
There is an article on my blog saveourglassheritage.blogspot.com that you may find interesting. It was published in april.
JH
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Any current updates?
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The British Glass Foundation was launched in November last year, see www.theglassassociation.org.uk.
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Yes, this is the current position: http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,37551.0.html 8)