Roadshow stars hit out over museum saga (From Stourbridge News)

Roadshow stars hit out over museum saga

10:30am Tuesday 16th February 2010 in News By Bev Holder

Andy McConnell (left) and Eric Knowles (right), from the Antiques Roadshow, with glass campaigner Jan Hendry

TV antiques experts say there is a crack in Dudley Council’s pledge to preserve a world class glass museum.

Antiques Roadshow regulars Andy McConnell and Eric Knowles met with Dudley Council leader, councillor Anne Millward, and other museum bosses last September to start driving forward plans for a top tourist attraction.

But the pair say they have heard nothing since and Dudley Council appears to be sailing ahead with plans to close world renowned Broadfield House Glass Museum and move its prized collection to the Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley.

He told the News: “When we met she was unequivocal and said we're all singing from the same hymn sheet. I think they were lying.

“It appears they're going to press on with mothballing Broadfield House.

“The idea that they're going to move it to the Cone is a farce; it's going to cost millions.”

Mr McConnell, the Roadshow’s glass specialist, told Mrs Millward back in September that UK glass associations and societies had made verbal pledges of up to £1m to help towards the setting up of a new world class glass museum.

He also warned that items currently on loan to Broadfield House could be reclaimed by private lenders if the museum’s future continues to look bleak.

He continued: “It would appear what they were talking was complete rubbish.

“I've seen nothing since that backs up what they would do. Were they just saying anything that comes into their mind. What the hell's going on?

“Are we dealing with people who give two hoots for anything they say?

“When I speak to people I'm honest, I don't tell people a pack of lies - maybe I'm ridiculously naive.”

His roadshow colleague Eric Knowles said: “It's important to remember what you have in Stourbridge is probably the most important glass collection in this country and the second most important collection in the world after Corning in America.

“I shudder to think those people are determining the future of such an important museum. I'm not sure they merit that trust.

“They said one thing and now they are doing another.

“Everybody that's spoken to me about it has said there’s not enough room to take the collection to the cone.

“What you’ve got there is a wonderful treasure. It’s shameful the way it’s being treated.

Mr Knowles added: “I get the impression you've got a council that couldn’t care less, a bunch of number-counters.

“I feel very uncomfortable about these people being responsible for something which they've obviously got no real regard or understanding or even affection for.”

But Mrs Millward hit back: “I said I wouldn’t close it on my watch until we’ve got something bigger and better.

“If the study doesn’t find anything bigger and better the status quo will remain. Broadfield is still open and still attracting visitors. The council is not lying.”

A council spokesman said no timescales have yet been revealed for the completion of phase two of the feasibility study - which is looking further at the possibility of moving the Broadfield collection to Wordsley following the purchase of the old Stuart Crystal site at the Cone.