Glass campaigners set up new Foundation
9:00am Thursday 1st April 2010
CAMPAIGNERS trying to protect Broadfield House from possible council closure plans have enlisted help from a host of Black Country benefactors.
Members of the glass community formed a new group called the British Glass Foundation, at a meeting at London’s V&A in February, which aims to preserve and enhance the glass collection and archives based at the world famous Kingswinford museum.
Antiques Roadshow stalwart Eric Knowles has already thrown his weight behind the new national group - and now Blackcountry businessmen Geoff Hill and Graham Knowles have pledged their support.
David William Thomas, whose family firms Stevens & Williams and Royal Brierley Crystal made glass in the area for more than 200 years, has also given his backing to the new venture, as has Steven Pollock Hill, president of British Glass 2010.
Janet Hendry, spokesman for the new group, said: “The setting up of the British Glass Foundation is the most exciting development that has happened since the campaign to save our glass heritage began over 12 months ago.”
Meanwhile a feasibility study is continuing to examine whether Dudley Council’s idea to move the Broadfield collection to Wordsley’s Red House Glass Cone could create an improved visitor attraction.
