Liz Lynne MEP backs campaign to save Historic Broadfield House Glass Collection (Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Liberal Democrats)

Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Liberal Democrats <mail@alicefield.org.uk>

Liz Lynne MEP backs campaign to save Historic Broadfield House Glass Collection

May 23, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by Liz Lynne

Liz Lynne, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the Black Country and the West Midlands today met local councillors and the Chairman of Friends of Broadfield house to back a local petition to save the historic glass collection at the Broadfield House Glass Museum.

The museum is highly regarded internationally for having the best English crystal collection in the world including many locally produced pieces, but this is being threatened by local council plans to move this collection to another site due to budget cuts.

"I was delighted to lend my support for the campaign to keep this historic collection where it belongs at Broadfield House. "

"It makes no sense for such an important collection, including so many pieces from our local area, to be palmed off to a less than adequate site, which would mean many of the current museum's display material are hidden away, running the risk that many of the owners of the glass will withdraw their collections.

"I congratulate local councillors and the Friends of Broadfield House for their campaign and I hope that Dudley Council will now finally listen to the views of all of the local people who have signed the petition and keep this collection where it belongs.

"I also look forward to working with the campaign members to explore what, if any, European funding may be available to help maintain the viability of the collection."

Commenting after the visit Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Dave Tyler said:

"Our campaign is not about the building, it is about the collection, our heritage and our history."

Barbara Beadman, who is Chairman of the Friends of Broadfield House, commented:

"The plan to move this collection was done on the back of an envelope, it is vital that we keep the glass together. We need bigger and better facilities not a smaller space where we will not be able to display the glass properly. "

Janet Hendry, Head of the local Save Our Glass Heritage Campaign said:

"The local community does not want to see our glass heritage disappear. This glass is a fine tradition in Stourbridge and needs to be handled with care. "

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please contact Liz Lynne on 01789 262785 or 07764 452725