Glass collectors offer to raise cash for museum (From Stourbridge News)

Glass collectors offer to raise cash for museum

2:00pm Wednesday 22nd July 2009 in Search By Bev Holder

GLASS collectors say they will do all they can to raise cash to help Dudley Council create a world class glass museum in the borough.

Businessman Graham Cooley and Antiques Roadshow regulars Andy McConnell and Will Farmer (from Stourbridge’s Fieldings Auctioneers) met with consultants analysing council plans to move the borough’s glass collection from Broadfield House Glass Museum in Kingswinford to Wordsley’s Red House Glass Cone.

Initially outraged at the controversial proposal - at a meeting with representatives from L & R Consulting on July 16 glass collector Graham Cooley offered to help start a fundraising drive to create a British glass museum in the borough to house the prestigious collection...if the council agrees to join forces.

He told the News: “Everybody is behind the idea of having a great museum, but it needs a collaborative approach. “We offered our services to help raise money.

“It’s the worst possible time to do it, but we need to start somewhere.

“This is what we need to do - and we need the council on board.”

He said he would like to sit down with council leader - cllr Anne Millward - to talk about it.

Andy McConnell from TV’s Antiques Roadshow added: “There’s a huge wave of support for the museum.

“We have this amazing resource which has been under supported by the council for decades.

“The target now is to set up a British glass museum.”

Council leader - cllr Anne Millward - said: "This is what we've been saying all along. Stourbridge is renowned throughout the world for its glass; it needs to be showcased.

"I'd love to sit down and talk with people about this.

"Since all of this started not one of the protestors has asked to talk to me."

Meanwhile, a special joint area committee for Brierley Hill and Stourbridge - scheduled as part of the glass feasibility study - takes place tonight (Thursday July 23) at 7pm at Wordsley Community Centre at The Green.

Members of the public can have their say on the council’s plan to merge the Broadfield glass collection into the Red House Glass Cone.

Those unable to attend can register their views at broadfieldhouse@dudley.gov.uk Councillor David Stanley, Dudley’s cabinet member for environment and culture, said: “I hope residents will take the opportunity to contribute to the consultation process.”

The findings and draft recommendations from the first part of the feasibility study will be presented to the council’s select committee on regeneration, culture and adult education on Monday September 7.