Grant to help push museum progress
FRESH grant funding will help drive ambitious plans to expand and improve the Hinckley and District Museum.
The volunteer-run heritage hub on Lower Bond Street has secured a National Lottery grant of up to £17,900 to carry out work on strengthening operations and attracting new audiences.
Museum leaders have longterm aspirations to extend the historic framework knitters’ cottages which have housed displays since 1995.
The plan is to use spare, council-owned land at the side of the building to offer enhanced facilities, new display spaces and provide a permanent home for Hinckley’s most famous mechanical export, the Hansom Cab.
Fundraising to this end has been ongoing for some time with a healthy £30,158 amassed towards a total target of £50,000.
Museum chairman, Ann Crabtree, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce this significant funding and I thank my colleagues who worked with me on the application.
“This represents the next stage in our development and we will be using the money wisely to build on what we have achieved so far, and to broaden our horizons in terms of working to attract visitors to the museum.”
Once the consultation work is complete, within the next 15 months, the team at the museum will be in a more informed position to take forward the growth plans.
Jonathan Platt, head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “It’s great that money raised by National Lottery players is being used to support this well-established museum to build up its expertise and confidently approach its ambitious plans for the future.
“With this funding the museum will be able to continue to play such an important role in the local community.”
The museum receives no public funding and relies on volunteers and the donations given by visitors and through other sources.
A recent award from the Community Voluntary Sector (monies funded by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council) enabled all of the building’s carpeting to be replaced.
Grants from Hinckley and Rugby Building Society and the Leicestershire Freemasons went into purchasing new computer equipment and software to start the process of digitally logging the catalogue collection of some 5,000 items. As an accredited museum this work has to be done to recognised standards using specialised software.
Serious electrical problems hit the attraction last season which have taken several months to resolve and required more than £1,000 of work being carried out.
However, local groups came to the rescue with funding and thanks to donations from Hinckley and Burbage Lions, CAMRA and the George Ward Charitable Trust this unexpected expense has been met.
The work does not and will not stop there, as maintaining the 17th century building itself is a tough task.
Ann added: “We are currently hoping to upgrade the heating in the museum and we will be seeking grants to enable this work to be carried out.
“So you can comprehend that we are continually seeking funding from various sources to enable our work to continue with the aim of offering the residents of Hinckley and surrounding areas a worthwhile, enjoyable visitor experience in comfortable and friendly surroundings.”
The museum reopens at the start of the new season on Easter Monday April 2.