Topic: Broadfield House to Close

[Anne]

I think it would take more than all the GMB members marching through Dudley to change their mind somehow.

[nigel benson]

Hello,

Firstly, we are at the beginning of what we all probably know is likely to be an uphill struggle to rescue probably THE most important glass museum in the UK.

Because this is the case it is going to be very difficult and, although we may need the odd dose of reality, perhaps negative attitudes at this point in time are, frankly, unhelpful. Yes, I'm sorry, on this occasion I do mean you Marcus I'm afraid  , but only as a mild rebuke - so please don't take it badly 

Secondly, since we are only in the very early stages of this, any conserted effort will begin to emerge over a short space of time. I know that already a number of interested parties are being alerted and ideas are being discussed.

Probably at this point in time the most important thing is to spread the word in order to get the 'troops' mobilised as it were. So, the best thing any of us can do is just that.

Don't rely on the board(s) doing the job - start emailing anyone you think could be interested, especially if they might be able to help in some meaningful way, but also if only they can act as another number on a petition.

Ideas on how to present a financial plan, create funds, raise funds in order that we go to the museum with a positive attitude and not a "please don't close the museum I hardly ever manage to get to" approach will be very,very welcome.

My thanks to you all for any help you might give, or email you send.

Kind wishes to all, Nigel

[Patrick]

Hi,
 I would hope that ALL the glass is well cataloged and that NONE of it DISAPPEARS if the museum does close...................

Regards,
                Patrick.

[Sklounion]

Celebrating our heritage and the diversity of local culture

Dudley MBC Council Plan 2010.

One note of caution: Graham was reliably informed..... but no official Dudley MBC announcement has been made. (Might such an announcement jeopardise their participation in the Black Country Urban Park Lottery bid??)

Nigel,

I do not consider it a rebuke, chastisement maybe... .

As I am seeing this same type of goverment behaviour in Central and Eastern Europe and elsewhere, I am being realistic. If that smells of pessimism, or negativity, then a healthy distrust of the political classes and their ability to make adequate finances available for cultural provision is to blame.

I have perhaps already given, in my second posting, possibly the two most influential organisations, who might be able to bring pressure to bear. Both the Museums Association and the MLAC, do have the ear of political movers. However, as can be seen from the Bury case, a determined and intransigent council will ignore them.

The significant thing is, in the Bury case, that the council gained £1.25 million, but lost....
future financial donations, future acquisition funding (see the reaction of the Art Fund above), future sponsors, future visitors, future acquisitions (after all, no collector would be happy to make a philanthropic gesture, to a museum which might off-load their gift). Long-term, the gain was probably of little lasting value, and the loss of good-will probably will take years to recover from.

It is these issues that would need to be high-lighted in submissions to save Broadfield House from closure.

Regards,

Marcus

[David E]

After querying Roger Dodsworth about this, I received confirmation that this is a proposal and not a definite conclusion.

The point is that I beleive Broadfield House (the building), nice though it is, is not pertinent to Stourbridge glass history. The museum could therefore be resited, which could be a far better knock-on effect.

[johnphilip]

If all else fails it would be nice for the V&A to take it on but in the last ten years everything of any value has gone abroad  gas ~ electricity ~ water~ gold ~ banks ~ manufacturing and on and on ~ we are broke . :mus:

[Pip]

If this proposal to close Broadfield House comes to fruition I'd be more than happy to publicise any efforts to save it on my website (I've checked with my webmaster already).

[David E]

The proposal is, I believe, to close the building, not necessarily the museum, which could be resited.

[aa]

Could this be related to the redevelopment of the Ruskin Glass Centre following the lottery grant?

[David E]

Well, that's a thought...