Heritage Lottery Fund waves its wand over Avoncroft with £365,000 grant
| Date:
7 May 2008 |
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Avoncroft has been successful with its application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and has been awarded a £365,000 grant for a three-year programme of physical and educational improvements under the scheme Avoncroft: Re-discovering the 'Magic'.
Anne Jenkins, Regional Manager for HLF West Midlands, said: “Avoncroft is an outdoor museum treasure and one of the most important of its type in the country. We are delighted to be able to offer it support for these improvements and help ensure it can be fully enjoyed by the community into the future and beyond.”
The programme will focus closely on ways to bring the architecture, industries and social history of the West Midlands to life through improved access to the buildings, signage and site infrastructure, new interactive displays and interpretation of collections online. An enhanced public events programme will be created via the appointment of an Events and Family Learning Officer (EFLO) who will also work to build awareness of the volunteer programme at Avoncroft and create opportunities for a further 40-50 new volunteers over the next three years.
Further highlights include the development of historic gardens exhibits designed to showcase popular 16th, 19th and 20th century gardening techniques outside the Merchant’s House, Toll House and Prefab buildings.
Simon Carter, Museum Director at Avoncroft, explained: “Following extensive visitor feedback we’re keen to become a centre of excellence for family learning here at Avoncroft for both the local community and wider audiences. We are very grateful to The Heritage Lottery Fund for giving us the chance to explore that possibility.” Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, commented: “This announcement is fantastic news. We are really grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for backing Avoncroft. It houses many extremely important building styles to the heritage of the area. This money will help to improve the museum as a vital resource for local young people and the community, and continue its legacy as a major tourist attraction.” |
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