Much Wenlock Museum to officially open today
Much Wenlock Museum will today be officially opened by John Penrose MP, Minister for Tourism and Heritage, following a recent major refurbishment.
The museum, supported and run by Shropshire Council, has been completely revamped thanks to a £520,800 grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards improvements.
Admission to the museum is free and it will be open daily through the summer including Sundays. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about Much Wenlock’s most famous resident, Doctor William Penny Brookes, the widely-regarded pioneer of the modern Olympic Games.
Focusing on the Olympian and geological heritage of the area, the improvement project has broadened the appeal of Much Wenlock Museum to local, national and international visitors, creating new exhibitions, heritage walks and education opportunities for people of all ages.
The new-look museum, which also houses the Visitor Information Centre, also features installations representing other local heritage themes, including Wenlock Priory, the building’s former history as a cinema, and the inspiration that the surrounding area has provided to numerous literary and artistic figures such as AE Housman, Mary Webb and Vaughan Williams. In addition to the exhibitions, a local history resource will be created for residents, schools and community groups.
Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for tourism and culture, said:
“It will be a great honour to welcome the Minister for Tourism and Heritage to Much Wenlock and show him around the fantastic, newly-refurbished museum.
“I would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their generous support. This has been an extremely important project for Much Wenlock and for Shropshire, which recognises both the unique influence the town had on the development of the modern Olympic movement, and the geological heritage of the area. I wish the museum all the best for the future, and encourage residents and visitors of all ages to come along and experience the fascinating history and heritage this wonderful town has to offer.”
Milner Whiteman, Shropshire Councillor for Much Wenlock, said:
“I am very pleased that the Minister is coming to Much Wenlock to open the museum. There is a lot to interest all ages, and we look forward to welcoming many visitors to the town. I am very pleased that it is open every day.”
Visit the museum’s website at www.muchwenlockmuseum.co.uk.
