AN under-threat Kingswinford glass museum shone at a prestigious awards ceremony celebrating the region’s best museums and art galleries.

Broadfield House Glass Museum won two awards at the Renaissance West Midlands’ ‘Best of the West’ Awards last night (Thursday March 26).

Roger Dodsworth, the museum’s Keeper of Glass and an expert on British glass, wone ‘outstanding individual’ category for his dedication in preserving and promoting the area’s glass heritage.

The museum also scooped the award for ‘Best Exhibition on a Small Budget’ for its glass dresses display by Diana Dias-Leão’ - which formed part of last year’s International Festival of Glass.

Roger, who has worked for Dudley Council’s museum service for more than 30 years, said: “It is a privilege to work at the glass museum at Broadfield House and to look after such a wonderful collection so I really don’t feel I deserve an award on top of that.

“However, everyone likes to be recognised for their efforts and I am enormously grateful to my colleagues for nominating me.”

John Sanders, of the Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum, said: “Like anybody who’s got Broadfield House at heart, I’m delighted.

“It reflects both on Roger as an individual and his knowledge and ability, as well as on the museum and its staff.”

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho, a keen supporter of the world famous museum - which houses Stourbridge’s treasured glass collection, was also “delighted” to hear of the double whammy success of the Compton Drive museum - which Dudley Council wants to close to help save £120,000 a year in the museums budget.

The MP said: “I hope they prove a timely reminder to the council about what a vital role Broadfield House plays in the community and how important it is to local people.

“I have always thought their decision to close Broadfield House was ridiculous, and these awards should add extra weight to the arguments for keeping it open.”

The second annual Renaissance awards held last Thursday (March 26) were presented at a ceremony at The Herbert in Coventry hosted by Midlands Today presenter Kay Alexander - and they recognise excellence in individuals, organisations and project-groups in museums and art galleries across the West Midlands.

Rita McLean, chairman of the Renaissance executive board, said: “We are delighted Broadfield House Glass Museum have had such success at these awards. “The judging panel certainly had their work cut out for them, but The Danger of the Image; Glass Dresses was particularly outstanding.

“The exhibition broke new ground for the museum and forged international partnerships through being a flagship exhibition for the International Festival of Glass.”

Jon Finch, director of engagement; West at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, added: “Roger has been an extremely dedicated member of the glass industry throughout his 30 year career.

“Not only is he an internationally respected expert on the subject, having published a book and edited the Journal of the Glass Association, he is somewhat of a practitioner in his own right after taking glassblowing classes to further appreciate the skill involved.

“He has taken dedication to his art to a new level with the result of raising the profile of the region’s glass heritage and the steady influx of new audiences to the museum.”

Dudley Council wants to close internationally-renowned Broadfield House and move its collection to Wordsley’s Red House Glass Cone, but the plan has sparked outrage from glass enthusiasts across the country.

And more than 2,000 names have been collected on petitions at the museums, auctionhouses and online at www.gopetition.com/online/24751 and http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/savebroadfield

Dudley Council says no decision will be taken on the closure until a feasiblity study has been carried out.