Local History

Carnival Glass Society U.K
Wonderful news that the Museum has been saved! We had a great time visiting this year and can now look forward to future visits.Thanks to everyone who supported the decision.Phyllis AtkinsonSecretary - Carnival Glass Society U.K

Miss Johnson
What about disabled access though? I have particular interest in the glass at broadfield but my particular interest is on the upper floor and as I am a wheelchair user it is impossible to gain access.

Steve Hale in Dubai (born in Wordsley)
At last, a decision made on merits rather than cost. The only problem is that people outside the area do not know it is there unless they have an actual interest in glass making. Spend some money on advertising and it could be returned 10 fold. Well done

n huda awad
I AM REALLY PLEASED. THIS IS GREAT NEWS. THANKS TO ALL THE OEOPLE WHO RALLIED TO SAVE IT. NOW WE ALL MUST DO THE SAME TO KEEP THE GLASS COURSE IN CENTRAL ST MARTINS FROM CLOSURE.

Tina Kalliri
"DIAMONDS LAST 4EVA" !!!

Keiko Mukaide
It's a wonderful news! i'm in Japan this month but look forward to visit the Scottish Glass Society show in the museum!

Toni Saunders
This is the best news. Thanks to everyone who showed their support, I've just graduated as a glass artist and have visited broadfield many times, it's an inspiration, a marvel, and our heritage... THANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!

John McMurray
Thank goodness, some good news at last.I must congratulate all those people who have worked so hard for the people who care about our heritage of glass making in this area.

Verity Jasmin Burley
Yay! Glass wins again!

Jaroslav Mykisa
Congratulation to you Dudley. Its hard enough for all of us in the glass industries to keep us all afloat in present Europian market, not even thinking of the the facts that Dudly Council would ever concider closing down the "Backbone" of British glass heritage as its known in Europe. Well done to everyone who participated and played a part in keeping Broadfield House Alive.

Alison Robertson, Secretary: The Scottish Stained
I will report this great success at our meeting on Friday 16th October 09. It is a demonstration of what I tell any stained glass campaigner who approaches us, 'You believe in this glass in your area. You fight for it, tooth and nail. We will back you up.'Heartiest congratulations. I hope you can continue to upgrade awareness, access and standards of care.

lee benson
fantastic news, now we must all support our heritage even more. visit places, show an undersatanding for our past, present and future, long live Broadfield House, cheers and well done everyone

Brian Clarke
We are delighted that the pressure from all the local, national and international individuals and organisations, with the heritage of glass in their hearts, has finally borne fruit and a sense of the true importance of the Broadfield House Glass Collections and Archives has been recognised by Dudley Metropolital Borough Council. We look forward to working together for the future. The Glass Association - Chairman.

Willie Clegg
Congratulations to the campaigners for saving the most vibrant champion andbeacon of glass history in Britain. David vs. GoliathPersistence pays,Well done one and all.

Janet Boston
The assured future of Broadfield House Museum is great news for Stourbridge and for everyone who loves great glass.

Mark Hillman
We would have been better off as a community if the council had saved Brierley Hill swimming baths, a facility in one of the regions most deprived areas. One which ironically is surrounded by the temple to consumerism Merry Hill, from which the council happens to make a fortune.

Ingrid Jarvis
Fantastic news! Thanks to Alan Poole who alerted many globally to the Museum's plight.

Barbara Beadman
I would like to thank all the supporters of Broadfield House Glass Museum. It has been a testing time for all of us. I am delighted with the decision by the Council to form a working party. Together we will be able to achieve so much for glass, for tourism, for the future.The Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum - Chairman

Catherine Arrowsmith
It is important that we retain Broadfield House it is so much more than a glass museum

Diana Calthrop
Congratulations to Dudley Council on seeing the light and keeping Broadfield House open as the wonderful resource it is, celebrating and promoting a very specific area of exceptional British artistry and its international connections.

Hilde Skjønberg Hansen
I'm thrilled to hear that the glass museum will survive and continue to feed students, professionals and other glass-loving people with inspirations and knowledge about the history and existence of glassmakers and the amazing material glass is. as we say in Norway: HIPP HIPP HURRA!!!

Debby Rea Taylor
I'm so glad that Broadfield House was saved. We here in Arizona have been fighting to keep the Bead Museum open (which I feel is another museum on the scope of Broadfield House) Every time one of these types of museums close we lose a slice of our history and that is just WRONG.

Tlws Johnson
As a frequent visiter to Broadfield house i would like to say how glad I am that it will remain as a treasure house for all glass lovers.

Michael Zappert, Stained Glass Artisan
Delighted to hear the news that Broadfield House has been saved to help inspire future generations and remind all of our glassmaking inheritance.

Catherine Keenan
That's really brilliant news. It is a centre of excellence in the heart the glass country. More should be made of the historical links in the area to make this part o the West Midlands a world reknowned location for contemporary glass.

Lesley Pyke
What fantastic news!!! Congrats to everyone involved!

Adriana Brinsmead Stockham
Well done Dudley Council! Thank you for listening and protecting this valuable resource.

Clifford Rainey
Congratulations on an intelligent decision. Stourbridge and the art of glass making are an integral element of our culture and should be conserved.

Rachel Elliott
Wow, excellent news! That's my glass work on this page too!

Alan J. Poole
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. THIS WHOLE ISSUE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN RAISED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS MUEUM AND LOCATION IS BOTH THE LOCAL AREA, BRITIAN'S AND THE WORLD'S GLASS HERITAGE AND SHOULD SOME HOW BE MADE TO CREATE TOURISM AND JOBS. LONG LIVE BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS MUSEUM, KINGSWINFORD, BUT WHAT ABOUT BRIERLEY HILL INTERNATIONAL GLASS CENTRE?!?

Beryl Morgans
Do not close Boardfield House.It is a vital resource to students as a source of Inspiration and knowledge.The staff have an excellent knowledge of their exhibits.Having attended the master class in Glass Blowing with Allister Malcolm at Boardfield this resource SHOULD NOT be closed.

Katherine parrish
this is a fantastic museum and should not be closed or moved. have visited it since the mid 80's there is no other collection like this it must be saved. How can a local council be allowed to make a decision on such a nationally important museum?

Ian Jones
This internationally famous museum is a vastly important part of our local heritage. To close it down in order to save a copuple of pounds is short-sighted in the extreme. A resounding NO to the closure.

Diana Millner
Please add my name to those wanting to keep this museum open. Beautiful glass displays - cannot be allowed to close.

Deirdre O'Rourke
It would be an International travesty!Would you remove a jewel in the Crown?Would you move the Tate or Mecca?You cannot remove the footsteps!You can help to save it!!

Tracey
Visited there on Saturday and really had a great time. Learnt a lot. Please don't close it.

Julia Hanson
Broadfield House Glass Museum is an award-winning museum in the area which has had a glass industry for longer than anywhere else in the country. From the C17th to 2007 Stourbridge and glass have been important to each other and that has left a legacy of beautiful things and a rich educational resource. The story of glass-making includes science, geography, social and political history, art and design and it should continue to have this showcase. In Britain we seem to find it harder than they do in other countries to celebrate our achievements, such as sending fine lead glass all over the world. If this collection is split up or packed away, then we will have reached a new low point, as will, I expect, the people who lose their jobs as a result. It should remain accessible for anyone to enjoy, a source of pride for locals and an attraction to bring in visitors.

Lynn Jeffery
Once again, Dudley shows how little it values culture. Broadfield House is exactly the right place to show Quality Glassware, it helps to give the right setting to the pieces on display. The Redhouse Cone is a brilliant working environment, demonstrating the making of glass. Broadfield has the serious academic collection of objects, which, by nature, are fragile and need to be shown in a less "hands on" setting.

Janet Hendry
It is the responsibility of Dudley Council to preserve the glass heritage in this area and to understand the importance that Broadfield House has Nationally and Internationally. Lets hope it comes to its senses and does the right thing!!

Sally Hoban
This collection is of international importance in the history of design and industry and a treasure for our region and its local community too. An alternative to its closure must be found.

john smith
What can I say that has not already been said,how about Thank You!please keep it up time is getting short.

David Martlew
Broadfield house has a collection which is of international importance, celebrating the sheer technical skill and artistic exuberance of many generations of glassmakers in the Stourbridge area. It houses many priceless individual pieces, but the whole collection is greater than the sum of its parts. And it even houses a hot glass workshop on site, demonstrating to the visiting public the skill required to create these stunning works of art. I would urge the Local Authority to cherish and nurture this international grade asset and use it to celebrate worldwide the achievements of the local community.

Natalie Jenkins
Closing BGM is false economy, for glass enthusiasts it is an important resource and source of inspiration. Its closure gives artists and others 1 less reason to visit to the detriment of the local community whom not only lose jobs but also tourist dollars.

anne lutyens-humfrey
Move the world-class collections at Broadfield House to a larger site with better access only if there really is sufficient funding for better displays, better access, and the continuation of the studio kiln. It would be very expensive but a long-term asset to the area. Otherwise the money spent on this debate would be better spent on improving the present ageing displays, which do not do justice to the glass wares; it cries out a long term lack of investment. I've found Broadfield House staff helpful and kindly, and the Glass festival is fantastic. Left to run it will draw me back, more investment will draw in many others; why else travel to Dudley? This is too great an asset to run down!

max o'riely
NO. I think that glass making is a interesting process and other people should be able to learn about it to.

John V. Sanders
Officers from Dudley's Directorate of Urban Environment (accompanied by a representative of the Council's HR Department) informed the staff at Broadfield House Glass Museum on 6 January 2009 that it had been decided to close the Museum in April 2010, and that their task was to confirm arrangements for redeployment and redundancy of the Museum staff. Local government officers do not take such an initiative without instructions from Councillors following a decision from the full Council; it flies in the face of the democratic process and is constitutionally improper. Something is wrong that ain't right, and the closure of Broadfield House and the loss of a glass collection second to none in the UK will be an act of civic vandalism which will stalk those responsible for the rest of their lives.

Stephen Pollock-Hill Chairman British Glass Educat
What price does Dudley put on education and heritage. You cannot decide to close something without a feasible, costed alternative. Come on Dudley the glass industry has invested hundreds of millions in the area over the centuries. Look for your cost cuts elsewhere than destroying your heritage!

Glen Thistlewood
Broadfield House and its wonderful glass is an essential part of our country’s heritage, of international importance and renown. We are the current custodians of this unique part of our history - we must not let future generations down. Save Broadfield House Glass Museum!

pamela wessendorf
BROADFIELD HOUSE is a heritage - for ALL of us in Europe - do not close!

pamela
PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE BROADFIELD! I hate to shout in emails, but this time... I have to shout really!

John Smallwood
Broadfield House must be allowed to close only and if Dudley MBC can find and finance a suitable replacement. What is more than evident is that the Glass House Cone would most certinaly NOT be suitable. The cost involved in carrying out the necessary modifications and additionss to it to allow the collections to be suitably displayed would far outway any savings that might be made by the closure of Broadfield House. If the council is that concerned about finances, it would be better to spend the money that it would cost to move the collections on improving the existing house and creating adequate car parking. They could then charge a small entrance to all the additional people who would visit this delightful museum. It is clear from all the comments that one reads from people around the world that they think the idea of moving the museum is short sighted and impractical. Let us hope the Council does not think it knowns better.

Jane Dorner
I feel this is incredibly short-sighted. The area absolutely *needs* a glass trail to keep tourism in this area alive, and aware of a great past. To close one of the most charming museums in the country is a huge mistake. It seems odd that on the one hand money is pouring into the Ruskin Centre (which doesn't have an historic collection of glass), but a complementary investment in the area's past craftsmanship is not forthcoming.

Chris B
Dudley borough does a good impression of being a culture-free zone (not true, but you have to look hard to find it). Instead of closing such venues, the council should be investing in them as focuses for the arts in all forms. The locations would then provide a richer experience for visitors (international, national and regional), and showcase Dudley as a place where imagination and skills have combined to express creativity. It would also make Dudley a better place to live in, as a home for present-day creativity and the exchange of ideas. Dudley needs to recognize the assets it has, and expand and publicize them, not close them down. As it is, I look forward to moving away from a borough that appears to be run by Philistines who largely fail to see and exploit the income-generating possibilities of the arts, heritage and culture generally.

Susannah
Please don't close Broadfield House Glass Museum!!!! I am from America and visited the museum several times during my stay in Dudley this past autumn. This museum is full of history and heritage. The collection is like non other and so important to the glass industry. The house/museum itself is important too, so even if the collection were to be moved, it's not the same. Please save the Broadfield House Glass Museum!!!

Rebecca Newnham
Please don't close Broadfeild House Glass Museum. It has great international significance and would be a great loss to the area. The UK Glass industry was once great but there is a growing international studio glass movement which is quiet different but of great relevance in this current age. It is true that Broadfield needs investment and needs to appeal to the international visitor and then, I am sure, the locals will follow. The displays need attention and improvement, the collections are invaluable. Invest in the museum, don't move or close it!

Kayleigh Young (22)
As a recently graduated glass artist I am horrified at the prospect of one of the few glass-related sites in my region closing down, there is not adequate space at the Red House Cone to support the exhibitions, lectures and historical collections currently available at the Broadfield House Glass Museum. I know a great deal of glass-makers and young people studying to become glass-makers who would be appalled to see it gone. It is the only dedicated glass museum in the country and we should do our best to protect it!I'm quite surprised that Dudley council are quite so willing to let their heritage disappear along with this wonderful site.I sincerely hope they will reconsider.

j c hebden
I believe Dudley council have muted closing Broadfield House for years. To move it to the Red Cone in Wordsley would be a travesty as there is insufficient space to exhibit the amount of glass on show or store what is already in store. I understand economies have to be made but to vandalise our heritage and culture seems inappropiate. I'm sure a better solution could be found if the council consulted more widely otherwise there is a danger of the collection being destroyed and a valuable museum lost forever

John Payne
Broadfield House is very important and part of our heritage. It is very shortsighted.

John Costelloe
I would like to add my name to the list of people expressing that they do not wish to see the Broadfield House Glass Museum close and/or that some or all the exhibits be moved to the Red House Cone. I cannot see how the Red House Cone could possibly compare as a suitable site. Broadfield House is quite obviously a more appropriate site and should if anything be expanded itself.I have read the comment by Paul Bishop and Nigel Benson who have articulated more eloquently than myself in this regard and would like to state that I very much agree with the views expressed. I would like to know the actual motives behind the proposal and would suggest that perhaps there is enough exhibits for the Red House Cone to have its own exhibition area in addition to the Broadfield House Site. If it is a matter of finance I would suggest expansion would be more appropriate. Thankyou for the opportunity to have a say.

Victoria Scholes, Chair of the Contemporary Glass
No! Broadfield House is vital for the promotion of cutlural excellence in the glass-making arena. It is the only Glass-Specific Museum of it's kind in the country and essential to contemporary glass-makers as a record and display of best practice, as well as and important resource for research and local history. The Studios at Broadfield house have set many a glass-maker on the professional road, as well as being part of the atomphere of the place. It would be a travesty if it were to close, or to move into a smaller space without due consideration.

Jessamy Kelly
Please save Broadfield House Glass Museum it is a fantastic resource for glass artists and enthusiasts and should be preserved for future generations.

Prof Duncan Timms
The Broadfield House museum is a major asset to the West Midlands and has an international reputation. It would be a disaster if the museum were to close! The displays area is already cramped and it seems very unlikely that the Red Cone can provide significantly increased facilities.

Margareth Troli
It is with shock and disbelieve that the British glass community receive such a heartbreaking piece of news. This comment is written in the support of Broadfield House, and to ask all MP’s and Councilors to reconsider alternative solutions to the closure.

Syd Partridge
This seems to be a another short sited cost cutting exercise by Dudley Council.Broadfield house is of National importance and is respected worldwide.I understand that visitor numbers have increased - bucking the national trend. A good reason for the Council to support the MuseumIf the Council are unable or unwilling to look after this treasure then they should stand up and be counted. The collections held at Broadfield are held in trust for future generations.Sadly, with the demise of manufacturing in this country, new glass makers have to learn lost skills. With the museum housing some of the finest examples of glass and historical reference, this is still possible.

Trevor Major
Broadfield House glass museum should not be allowed to close. To do so would be short sighted and do considerable harm to our glass heritage.Although I am not current with present discussions, I would have thought the first steps would be to try and secure external funding. Has this process been exhausted? The Arts council already funds other glass projects, have they been approached?I appreciate that Dudley Council have tough decisions to make; and they will get worse in the recession; but without exploring all possible funding avenues seems to be at least, lacking in organisational skills.Come on Dudley Council, you are contemplating decimating a world wide glass resource, surely you can do better than your current proposition.Trevor Major

Jessica Lewis
I have also voted no to closing Broadfield House and have signed their online petition. When I visited there last year it was full of parents and children working together to fill out activity sheets and questionnaires. This is a living resource which should be preserved for the community as much as for the items it holds. If we lose places like this we lose part of our heritage and community identity and surely that should be something we become more proud of not less. This is a place where people can learn about a craft when few people actually have the time to create crafted items themselves. I feel it would be a real shame to lose this.

joanne reeve
Dudley Council would be shooting itself in the foot if it went ahead with the closure of Broadfield House, a major national and international resource, capable of generating a great deal of revenue both now and in the future.

Dr Stephen Damment
I am absolutely staggered to hear the news that Dudley Council plan to close Broadfield House Glass Museum. The Stourbrudge area has been involved in glass making for 400 years, and the regions producers were the undisputed global leaders in glass design and manufacture during most of the 19th century into the early 20th century. The Museum houses extremely important examples of the best in British glass-making; as a whole, the collection is priceless. There is archival material of international importance for research into the history of glass making. The proposal shows a wanton disregard of the fundamental responsibility of the Council to preserve the region's MOST important heritage; once gone, its gone forever. I urge the Council to rethink. Money must be made available to protect and nuture this treasure, which is truly of International importance.

Richard Samuel
During the period 1992-3 I spent many happy hours at B.H., researching glass history, enjoying the exhibits, and relaxing in the hotshop. It would be a shame for this great resource to be lost to future scholars, or folded into the Redhouse Cone site which, it appears, is more of a tourist spot than a true museum. Surely, some of the local surviving glass companies could set up a trust to maintain B.H. Perhaps the V&A would "adopt" B.H. as a satellite museum.

John Ball
Broadfield house is situated in the centre of what was the glass making centre of the U.K., and houses a priceless collection showing the skill and dedication of british glassworkers and artists. Broadfield House is an internationally recognised name and is the perfect setting for the exhibits. The collection is unrivalled as a British collection of glass.To move the collection from this historic building would diminish it's impact and to split it up would be tragic.

Horace Washington
NO! BROADFIELD HOUSE SHOULD NOT BE CLOSED OR MOVED.It does appear to be a cost cutting exercise but taxpayers money would be better spent by getting rid of the grossly overpaid senior managers on the Council who contribute very little to Society and the saving on their salaries and expenses would be more than adequate to fund Broadfield House. Please wake up Dudley Council - life is not all about cost cutting we need to keep our heritage for future generations.Should any Council members wish to discuss or comment on the matter you can reach me at phrainbowsend@aol.com

Melissa Nicholls
I am a student at the International Glass Centre in Brierley Hill. Broadfield house is an excellent resource for research and attending lectures. The staff are knowledgable and friendly. The location is great and the presence of a glass maker on site is wonderful. The exhibitions and events held here are popular and informative. With the industry slowly disappearing, the maintenance of Broadfield House is essential.

Karin Walland
As a Glass Artist I am astonished that Dudley Council would try to downgrade the most important glass collection in this country. The Glass Biennale alone attracts interested parties from around the world and it would very shortsighted from a tourist point of view to believe that the impact of this move on tourists visiting the area would be minimal. This is one of the major reasons why tourists would come to Dudley in the first place. The suggestion of the Red Cone as a possible venue is not only ill thought out due to the inadequacy of this site for the purpose but would also require enormous expenditure to begin to make it useable, let alone an effective venue. To lose 9 posts out of the 10 at the museum would be to lose the enormous expertise of these staff, not simply to Dudley but also quite likely to this country.Dudley Council must also ask itself if it really wishes to risk losing the possibility of continuing to hold the Glass Biennale, which could easily be moved to another site (the National Glass Centre and Sunderland University perhaps), as this move would raise serious questions about its commitment to glass and its local heritage. In any case, why has no action been taken to search for income streams outside Council funding for this vitally important national collection and museum.

Jennifer Opie
I am extremely sorry to hear of the proposed closure of Broadfield House and the very serious uncertainty of its collections receving anything like adequate, let alone improved display facilities at the Red House Cone. Broadfield House is the only UK museum specialising in glass and sited as it is in the centre of the historic glass making area, it makes a unique and vital point about Britain's heritage as well as offering visitors the opportunity to see British glass in context with production from factories and makers internationally. The collections have been assembled using public money and the public have a continuing right to access them. In addition, the staff there are the first point of contact for scholars worldwide studying British glassmaking history. Proper and full consultation is not only wise in such circumstances but is morally essential.

Anne Elwick
Save the Museum

Julie Bolton
NO, to closing this museum.I attended Wolverhampton Uni. to study Glass and visited the museum on several occassions for exhibitions and research. I now live in Jersey, but visit whenever I can. It is the best available museum for glass old and new and it would be a crime to move it.Why can't an entrance fee be introduced to meet the needs of funding, I'm sure people would be willing to pay.

jill fordham
I visited this museum in the summer, and thaught it was an incredible collection of enormous variety of blown glass, showing both its development through history, and encouraging the creativity of current artists. I would be extremely sad to see it go, and feel this would be a terrible loss to this area, and to our national heritage.

Geoff Hall
It's easy to understand the cost pressures that the Council are under, but this looks a very crude and ill-thought out decision - if it is correct that a decision has already been made. It would be reasonable to expect any organisation - especially one acting on behalf of the community - to evaluate alternative options before making any changes. Broadfield is an important part of the local culture and heritage - once lost it will not be recovered.

Eleanor June Morrison
As Broadfield house is the only dedicated glass museum in the uk it is essential that we fight to keep it open. The museum is not only a celebration of glass making but holds vital pieces that have been used to produce ground breaking research in order to further contemporary glass practices. It is vital that such an inmportant resource for all artist is kept open.

Chow Wong
They can't close this fantastic glass museum down, its a part of history and culture that has already been affected by these so called cost saving schemes.Dudley Council should be trying to save the glass business, not shut it down.

Yuk Ling
It would be a sad shame to close the historical heritage of Southbridge. Already, the once was, hassle and bustle Glass town has been stripped of it’s English long tradition. Now It’s happing again, to the best preserved glass museum whom has moved and shaked British glass to the world. And all for cost cutting. Priceless British treasures to be sold to get some cash. Is this how the council feel about British heritage?

Yuk Ling
It would be a sad shame to close the historical heritage of Southbridge. Already, the once was, hassle and bustle Glass town has been stripped of it’s English long tradition. Now It’s happing again, to the best preserved glass museum whom has moved and shaked British glass to the world. And all for cost cutting. Priceless British treasures to be sold to get some cash. Is this how the council feel about British heritage?

Lis Parker
IThis museum is a valuable resource and is unique in the country.The Black country was one of the most important places for the glass industry and continues to have a studio glass industry.Please, please reconsider this decision as it is used and enjoyed by many who are interested and being educated about the past and present glass industry.

Roberta Ayles
Our family visited Broadfield House last Summer during the glass festival and were really impressed with the range of glass displayed and the expert information available. Staff were also very friendly and helpful. It would be a tragedy if the museum were to move or close, and I am appalled that this proposal has come about so suddenly without the chance for proper consultation. We built our whole Summer holiday around the Glass festival, (and Cadbury World!)and had a wonderful time.If the council are looking to economise, the craziest idea is to destroy the very features which bring visitors to the area. We were looking forward to the next biennale, but would have serious second thoughts if this is Dudley Council's attitude to its heritage.Yours,Roberta Ayles.

Frantisek Janak, director of the Glass school in K
To close something is easy, to open it again is very difficult. I am also voting no to the closure of Broadfield House Glass Museum. We should protect our heritage, no matter where it is.

tricia slater
We came up from cornwall in August specifically to attend the Glass Biennale.The main highlight of our visit was the wonderful Broadfield House Museum. We have since recommended it highly to all the many craftpersons with whom we are in touch in Cornwall and South Wales, also recommend it to annual visitors who come down to us from all areas of the UK and abroad..I cannot comprehend why on earth Dudley Council would even consider moving (downgrading?) this unique facility, which is such an important part of British manufacturing history.Do they not realise what a unique treasure they have in that collection?PLEASE DONT DO IT!.Tricia Slater. Falmouth, Cornwall.

tricia slater
We came up from cornwall in August specifically to attend the Glass Biennale.The main highlight of our visit was the wonderful Broadfield House Museum. We have since recommended it highly to all the many craftpersons with whom we are in touch in Cornwall and South Wales, also recommend it to annual visitors who come down to us from all areas of the UK and abroad..I cannot comprehend why on earth Dudley Council would even consider moving (downgrading?) this unique facility, which is such an important part of British manufacturing history.Do they not realise what a unique treasure they have in that collection?PLEASE DONT DO IT!.Tricia Slater. Falmouth, Cornwall.

john r hobbs
Nationally important-this museum MUST NOT close. The collection must remain intact for the generations to come.

Penny Russell
I visited Broadfield House Glass Museum with my husband and two young children in early December last year. We live in Sheffield and, despite having visited many tourist attractions over the years, we were all very impressed with the huge collection of glass, the excellent way in which it was displayed and the quality of the facilities on offer at the museum. It will be a great loss to the local area as well as to the country as a whole if the museum is forced to close.

David Traub
I am dismayed at the proposed closure of this museum. As a former resident of Stourbridge and the only student to receive a masters degree from the glass course at Stourbridge College of Art and Technology, Broadfield House was a source of emence help to me whilst doing my masters degree, and is a vital part in recording the rich history of the glass industry in the Black Country. The move to the Red house cone would reduce the amount of glass on display and would limit its ability to grow. This museum is more than a national treasure it is one of the best and most respected glass museums in the world, Dudley Council should be looking to capitalize on this iconic museum supporting and even promoting it rather than attempting to downsize for the sake of a few pounds. The cost of moving the collection would be vast and the danger to the collection in moving substantial, as I have one of my own works in the collection this is a great worry to all who are in the same position. I hope that the council can see the bigger picture and admit that it would be a huge mistake to proceed with this intended closure

Peter Hayes
My will leaves my collection of glass and books about glass to Broadfield House, to add to the collections or sell to fund purchases. Time to change the will to either donate the money to a museum that has support from the local government or give it all to Oxfam.

Lawrence West
The closing of Broadfield House Glass Museum will have a huge negative impact within the british glass scene, at a time when glass studio costs are unafordable to the contemporary glass artist and when factory glass is nearly dead, we need to keep glass alive in this country!

Pamela
Visited Broadfield House Glass Museum last November (2008) A great place for collectors like me and a real treasure for those who love glass!

Liz Beard
I am very concerned that this proposed move is planned to take place in such a short time, without time having been given to find the best solution. This is such a unique facility with a unique collection, it would be a tradgedy for this to be lost.

Pauline Holt
How much will they save? A pittance! The value of places like Broadfield House is worth far more than any saving they could make - we MUST save places like this. In our lifetime we have enjoyed it but what about the next generatation there is shortly going to be nothing left for them at all. Dudley Council please thing again.

Jane Vincent
No I would not like to see Broadfield House close.This is a national as well as local resource and appears to be another example of short term local needs having to take priority over the social responsibility Dudley has to the UK and beyond with regards to its key role in glass making. This museum plays a vital role in the education of future glass workers, artists and artisan craftspeople and must be maintained with this future role in mind.

Adam Aaronson
To quote the words of President Obama, perhaps out of context, but equally valid - Dudley Council “know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy”

Old Ernie
No - my recollections of Councillor David Caunt are of a person who only cares about his position and making his views dominate. He says there is to be '...debate..'. I doubt he understands the meaning of the word.Locally and nationally Broadfield House Glass museum is far superior to the Glass Cone or Ruskin Centre. Development costs of either site will far outweigh any savings obtained by moving the BH Glass museum.When museums or galleries are moved or modernised there is often severe losses both in terms of artifacts and of useful resources. I wonder what the locals of Kingswinford think about the museuem closing and the land being sold off for re-development. Once BH closes will the artifacts ever see the light of day? Financial constraints can always be claimed for not engaging with cultural developments and raising the knowledge of our children.I ay Black country born but it is a bostin museum! Keep the faith, keep the museum and keep your hands off it Caunt!

Susan Purser Hope
To close Broadfield House Glass Museum would be a disaster! It is the only museum in the country devoted exclusively to glass and has established a national and international reputation as a centre of excellence for glass. The Museum tells the story of the Stourbridge Glass Industry and celebrates the achievements of the local glassmakers. It creates a sense of pride among local people in the skills of their ancestors, is well supported by the local community and is somewhere that Dudley Council should be extremely proud of.Broadfield House Museum not only houses glass collections which are world-famous but it shows them in light, airy and exquisite surroundings. The house is of an intimate and domestic size so that exhibits are shown in the environmental scale that they were designed and made for. The Red Cone focuses on the manufacture of glass whilst Broadfield House, in contrast, demonstrates the end result of glass shown in a beautiful, domestic setting. To combine them would be a great loss to the local community.

john p hobbs
When visiting Broadfield house in the past i have stayed at local Hotels spent money in local shops and restaurants and the museum ,i have friends coming this year from the USA and Australia with the intention of visiting this great museum, is the economy so good in Stourbridge they can afford to lose all this. jp

Nicola Lambden
Broadfield House hold's an important history of glass and is something worth being proud of. It is also responsible for encouraging and inspiring some of the best contemporary glass artists in the country, why on earth would anyone wish to close it when so many people enjoy and appreciate it.

Dan Aston - firefly Glass
It would be very sad indeed if this was to happen to Broadfield House Glass Museum. I studied at the International Glass Centre and worked for somebody in the scholarship glass studio I have very fond memories. It would be a huge loss to the area. Leave it where it is it is a fantastic resource for so many people young and old.

James Measell (USA)
The closure of Broadfield House or the lessening of access to its resources would be a great loss to the world of glass research. The eloquent thoughts of others posting on this site are all that need be said.

Shirley Eccles (Artist, teacher,student)
No! Please do not close Broadfield House. Having come from another country to live, work and study here I have found Broadfield House Glass Museum a wonderful source of inspiration both for research and to appreciate history and the skill of the old artist/makers. It is also of great value for education and artists in residence giving them the opportunity to develop their interest and skill.Without such support glass art and great artist/makers will be lost to both the country and the youth of the future.In a time of recession we need to develop the skill/trade so as to be able to be independent. One by one the factories/trade are being lost: the potteries, glass factories,motor industry etc. We can not allow this. For the sake of History, Art and Education , those of the past and the youth of the future we can not allow Broadfield House Museum to close! What a shame that would be.

Tessa Clegg
As a glassmaker, and having had a piece bought by Broadfield House Glass Museum I am profoundly saddened to hear of this proposal. What kind of society we are living in that doesn't value this museum and the history of English glass. Very, very depressing.

Denise Hayes
Very little glass art is on display in Britain. There are collections all over the country gathering dust and forgotten about. Broadfield House is a resource for glass students from all over they world. It isn't just Dudley Council that needs to support this resource but central govt. What about asking the V&A to help? We should be keeping our regional museums open.

Dr. Linda Smith
Please reconsider the closure of Broadfield house. It's loss will have a profound effect on us as glass researchers, makers, enthusiasts and collectors. It is important resource that will be hard to replace.

Kate Whittaker
This is a beautiful and exciting place to visit, enough of the glass industry had folded already. STOP being so short sighted, a few pound saved here yet it will go towards killing any tourism and interest in the area and it's heritage. How about publicising it better to get more people through the doors or try something different other than kill off this place? In years to come this decision will be looked on with much regret as another era ended and will be irretrievable.

Sara Fell
Moving Broadfield House collection to the Red Cone does not seem to be a well researched option to me. If we are to celebrate the history of Glass in this country within the international field of Glass, then it is imperative we keep Broadfield House. As a B.A Glass student, it is important for me to research within the collection of such a museum. Glass in Stourbridge has an international standing and therefore Dudley Council must see applying for funding for such a collection as the resolution, not down sizing and storing or possibly losing loaned parts of the collection. Interest in the international contemporary art glass field is growing, so why at such a time when the council should be expanding funding to such an impotant heritage and future are they risking what is an asset to the Black Countries economy. Each Year glass artists from around the world visit The International Festival of Glass, is this not enough for the council to appreciate the fact that Glass puts Stourbridge on the international map?The Glass Cone does not have the space to exhibit such an internationally important collection.

Kate Wilkinson
I say no to the closure of Broadfield House. The saving to the Council is a drop in the ocean and they are depriving the area of an important part of their heritage.

Roger Tye
I am appalled at what appears to be a decision made in haste without consideration of the long term ramifications. This smacks of knee-jerk accounting by the Dudley council financial autocrats, putting the strong-arm on the leisure & culture Dept., purely as a means of saving money and nothing else! This really does look like some-one's quick back of a fag-packet idea!Obviously no proper research has been done prior to this decision being made otherwise anyone with an ounce of common sense would see the baby disappearing with the bath-water.What's the plan Dudley councillor's? Move to the Cone, reduce the visitor offer,watch revenue fall, then close it as unviable?Does Dudley Council really not understand what Broadfield House & the collections truly represents?I would echo all the sentiments already expressed - promote the internationally recognised gem that you have, raise it's profile - or dismember it and watch it die (and redefine the Black in Black Country).I find this just incredible.Come on Dudley, bite the financial bullet, do the proper thing & earn the admiration of glass-enthusiasts worldwide.

Barbara Beadman
Thank you for all your comments.I am Chairman of the Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum. Wewould be grateful if you would send the Councillors a letter or email voicing your disquiet. We need to give the Officers the time to prepare a plan to create a museum worthy of the glass collections held by Broadfield. This is the opportunity Dudley have been waiting for and need as 'Custodians of the Glass Heritage'.This possible disaster can be turned around and we, as Friends, have offered our support in any way we can to enable a successful outcome.

Philippa Hughes M.A.
Once a comprehensive art resource such as Broadfield House is lost, history says it is never replaced. Red House Cone does not offer the same learning resource space. In years to come the council will regret such a decision.

Sandra Snaddon
There is no doubt closing the museum would be a major loss for glass researchers, makers, enthusiasts and collectors,and for the important resources of Broadfield House to be lost. It is one of the “major” glass attractions, bringing many visitors to Stourbridge, I come North Yorkshire. Its importance as the repository of major glass collections, is international reknown and its dispersal would be disgraceful.There are so few places to see beautiful engraved glass on display and closing Broadfield House would make that even harder.Please do not close Braodfield House Glass Museum.

Sue MacGillivray MA Programme leader BA (Hons) App
This is a hugely important collection, a great resource and a wonderful record of the history of one of the most important industries in the West Midlands as well as the country as a whole. I can't believe that it is being considered. Save Broadfield House!!!!

linda beard
This important museum should remain where it is for all to see and enjoy the rich and diverse items that can be made from something seemingly so fragile, somewhat like the continued existence of the museum in it's current location.

Diana Arseneau
Yet again a case of an authority throwing out their history and tradition. And then they wonder why people don't visit. There must be another solution. Keep Broadfield House open!

Kate Anderson
This museum is unique and its' collection very special, it should not close down for the sake of penny-pinching!

Stella Beddoe
This is an insult to the industrial heritage of the Black Country.Broadfield House cares for what should be considered a National Glass Collection

Frans Wesselman
As a stained glass maker I am a regular visitor to the museum. It represents a unique resource, detailing the history of glass making in the area as well as, through its exhibitions of modern and contemporary work, showing the importance of glass in contemporary art and design. Especially now, when the British Glass Biennale is starting to attract more glass enthusiasts to the area, it seems careless to dispose of or endanger this charming and fascinating place.

john p hobbs
The town would lose more than a great museum when i have visited i stay in a hotel eat in the town and spend money in the shops as well as the museum,it is a long way for me but well worth it ,i also have friends comng from the USA and Australia this year with the intention of a visit to Broadfield house they cant believe it may be closed . J P Hobbs

Isabelle Reaves
No Broadfield House should not be closed. Being a young aspiring glass artist Broadfield House has been such an important part of my education. Teaching me the history of glass and inspiring me in my own work.Closing Broadfeild House would be a great loss to Stourbridge and dilute its historical identity.

aj
I am from Australia and was exited about visiting this museum. Guess it will now be off my list. Don't councils realise how many enthusiasts only visit an area to see something special like this?

Richard Morrell
I recently spoke about my recent visit to Broadfield House during a presentation I made at the Australian Glass Artists Conference in Hobart, Tasmania. Many of the conferees were unaware of the significance of Stourbridge area glass to the international development of the medium. The Broadfield House Glass Museum houses perhaps the most significant collection of English Glass in the world! It is a tragedy that this collection does not receive the recognition it deserves.If the British do not value their own cultural heritage, you can be sure no one else will!

Edith Slee
I ask that you house all the research material together with the unique , superb library of glass manuscripts and books at Himley hall, and that it should be far more readily available to glass artists.Himley Hall has a large amount of space available that is only used for storage or office space. It is in a public park with transport facilities and would be an ideal location.

Dominic Fonde A.F.G.
I find it appalling that the Dudley council should take this stance of preparing to close the Broadfield House Glass Museum. If it is true that no consultation with the museum regarding a move to the Red House Cone site was held then the council must fairly be accused of not having the best interests of its community at heart. Broadfield House Glass Museum has an international reputation. It houses an excellent collection of art glass, is a fantastic resource for students and researchers and has played a part in encouraging and developing new talent with the hot glass residency studio that was available to a fledgling art glass business. The Red house cone is not adequate to house the collection, having neither the storage space or the exhibition space to enhance on the experience of visiting Broadfield house. At a time when the prominence of the Dudley/Stourbridge area as a focal point for glass making is on the rise due to the highly successful British Glass Biennale is it wise to consider downsizing the facilities available in the region. Most likely the museum is to be closed as a cost saving exercise due to the current economic climate,the question is, is a quick fix solution really going to help? Has no one looked into corporate funding or any other sort of external funding? and what happens to the community in the long run? After all they are loosing jobs, history and an internationally respected source of pride. Should anyone really be wondering how far this international reputation extends I am sending this protest from Singapore where I work in partnership with Australian artist B. Jane Cowie who traveled from Australia to work in Stourbridge and values the resources of this museum as much as anyone in the glass community. I reiterate, Broadfield House Glass Museum should not be allowed to close and I protest against Dudley Council's decision in the strongest possible way.Dominic FondeSingapore23/1/2009

Kate Drew-Wilkinson
Nigel Benson's comments are articulate and persuasive. My vote is no to the proposed move. It is a horrible and irresponsible plan.

Stuart Fletcher (Local studio Glassmaker)
A RESOUNDING NO VOTE TO PROPOSED CLOSURE.The midlands has little to offer it's visitors by way of attractions as it is, so to lose Broadfield House would be a huge dent to the areas leisure and tourism sector. Crystal factories such as Webb Corbett,Stuart Crystal and Thomas Webb(to name but a few) have long since closed, but the area will forever remain Synonomous with glassmaking ,the museum should stay as a symbol of the areas heritage.Broadfield House can only display 25% of it's collection,so how can they consider moving to the cone which has even less usable space than they already have at Broadfield? Ruskin Mill has been granted 16 million pounds to redevelop there site and Broadfield House,an established great facility is threatened with closure what a joke !Powers that be at Dudley Council sort it out.

Anne Nichols
The planned closure of Broadfield House is both short-sighted and counter-productive on the part of the council. The museum is clearly much valued by local people as an important part of their heritage, but it is much more than that. Both the collections and the archive are of national and international importance. To move the collections to a smaller site would be to disadvantage visitors, as they would not be able to see much of the collection - presumably it would need to be stored and rotated, or even worse could be disposed of - that would be an even bigger tragedy than the closure of the Broadfield House site. Dudley Council needs to rethink this proposal before they make an extremely grave mistake.

Gary Grosvenor
I am voting NO to the closure of the UK's leading glass museum.where will our youngsters get to see amazing glass and be inspired to choose a career in the arts, teaching, history etc?It is neglecting our history and heritage at the cost of our children's education and future.shameful. will these idiotic councils not be happy till there is no Great Britain left? just mini roundabouts and speed humps. fuming.

Phyllis Atkinson
No I would not like the museum to close.I feel it would be a great shame if this unique museum were to close. No where else in the country houses such a varied collection of glass.The house itself is an outstanding building, and of course the glass studios over the years have given great insight into modern glass making.I hope the Council re-considers the closure.

Mark Holford
Broadfield House Glass Museum is the only museum in the country devoted exclusively to glass. It is a focus for local interest as well as being of national and international importance. It is also an important part of the glass cluster in Stourbridge, which will be substantailly impoverished by this closure unless the Council can be persuaded to provide equivalent facilities elsewhere. The current proposals do not look like being equivalent. So the closure should be resisted.

Austin Dowd
I'am voting No to the closure of Broadfield House Glass Museum. Such a valuable piece of Heritage should be cherished.So important to the local and international Glass Societies and Glass advocaters.

Diana Dias-Leao
Broadfield house Glass Museum is a the most valuable historic record of glass making in the past and also strongly forward thinking in support of new designers. If this monument to the heritage of glass and the Black Countries part in the history of glass is lost then the gap left will be huge and impossible to fill again in the future.

Beverley Hicklin
As a glass artist who has worked at Broadfield House I was dismayed to hear of the council's plans to close the Museum. It is vital that we retain our heritage and its importance, both nationally and internationally, should not be underestimated.

Kate Jones
Broadfield House is unique within the UK. It offers something totally different and important to glass in all its forms, it is an important resource an important record.Make considered, beneficial changes that enhance the collection, its position, its appreciation, public access and knowledge of this gem of a museum... but do it with care and intelligence, consideration and understanding of just what you currently have. Make changes for the best of reasons, not the worst.Taken in context the legacy of a snap, badly researched, ill conceived decision will not reflect well on the decision makers.As a glass maker who is already part of this prestigious collection I fear the lasting consequences of a bad decision that will negatively impact a great many people and will erase years of good work and money already wisely spent.

Leni Simons
For goodness sake, make an entrance charge if money is the primary motive for the closure! I personally would be more than willing to pay for admission if it meant saving this wonderful museum and its priceless collections!

Alan J Poole
In is imperative that this ‘Glass Institution’ be save for the general public, both locally, regionally and internationally I might add, for Glass Artists, Students and collectors alike. I really don’t think that Dudley Council quite appreciates the standing that this museum and its collections have and to have them moved to a less favourable, small establishment would be nothing short of boarding the ridiculous. Combine facilities between the Red House Glass Cone and Broadfield House Glass Museum ‘Yes’ but please don’t destroy something that is part of that regions heritage and that of Great Britain’s generally. The Museum is dearly loved by all, both staff and visitors alike, and in a matter of approximately an hour of the glass community in this country being made aware of it’s plight, I have had numerous emails of astonishment at such news, asking how they can help in saving our one and only Glass Museum, Broadfield House, Kingswinford, Great Britain.

JOHN P SMITH
I would love to Broadfield House close for the following reasons: A: It is too small for the world class collection it controls, with the result that B: Much of its collection cannot be shown and is in store, C: Its site is difficult to reach by public and private transport. Moving to the Red Cone site could be wonderful, but there are problems. A: Part of the site is controlled by Wedgwood Waterford which is receivership. This problem will take many months [years?] to resolve. B: Staff costs might be reduced but the main saving will be in closing the furnace, although this may be paid for from a different budget greatly reducing savings to the council. C: The labour costs of packing and moving thousands of fragile and valuable glass items, together with the paper and other archives will be the equivalent of several man-years. D. The capital cost of the transfer will be enormous. Inevitable costs include new museum quality showcases with toughened glass for security and health and safely, new lighting, new security, [the collection contains many items worth over £20,000 each], and new labels and signage. The above expenses are likely to total around £1m, probably about the same value and the Broadfield House building, so no saving there. If Dudley wish to invest money in the move to enhance the amenities of the area and end up with a world class museum that will be wonderful. However, if they only want to save money:A. They won’t, and B. It will be a disaster.

john greenhalgh
No it must not close, yet again the Dudley council get it wrong.Do these council members know what they are doing this museum must be protected.Where else wiil we see our heritage.

jean howard
NO we are losing too much of our heritage

Paul Bishop
I am voting no to the closure of Broadfield House Glass Museum.Broadfield House is the most important glass museum in the country. It has a number of world class collections and houses incredibly important records and information about many glass factories.This museum is a celebration of Stourbridge’s glass making heritage and as such should not be allowed to be packed off to the Red House Cone as part of a short-sighted savings proposal.Rather than trying to make savings by down-sizing the museum Dudley Council should take a more robust approach to the heritage of the area and draw up plans to expand the museum and raise its profile. An active and vibrant museum will become more of a reason to travel to and stay in Stourbridge and the Black Country. Dudley Council has a museum of international significance and it has a duty to protect it.

Nigel Benson
For many years the best glass museum in the country, Broadfield House Glass Museum, has needed a larger site in order to display its collections and those that are own loan to it. For various reasons Himley Hall was rejected as an idea by Dudley Council. Now, rather than keeping the status quo, the museum has been targeted as a means of cost cutting for the borough. NO cost benefit analysis has been done, NOR any feasibility study. Instead, it would appear that someone has had the idea that vacating the current premises in favour of moving to smaller premises, could save money. If this happens, not only will it be difficult to maintain current services, it is highly unlikely that the collections will have enough space to be stored in, let alone be displayed.Last year, visitor numbers went up from 11,000 to 15,000, totally bucking the trend in museums across the country. It would seem that no account of this has been taken. Importantly, in the current economic climate, where it would seem that many more people are proposing to holiday in this country, no account or thought appears to have been given toward gaining important revenue to help the income of the counsellors’ own electors. Even the idea of selling the Broadfield House building seems ill thought out, since pretty well the whole country is aware of the downturn in property values.As for the move itself you’re NOT talking normal move prices like when moving home – expensive though that can be. Moving the collections (particularly os a fragile nature), back-up office space, current storage and display cases (those that can be moved) all requires specialist operatives. Old display cases may not fit, so new will be required; the same will be true of information boards. All-in-all one wonders about why counsellors see this as a good move. Well, sacking some of the staff will of course be the soft option if comparing their situation with other council workers and will give an ongoing yearly saving. There may be a gain from the sale of the building, but will it only be marginal? Quite possibly. Surely, now is NOT the time to move a successful national glass museum? Now should be the time to consolidate on the work of the museum and raise its profile helping to keep, and possibly create, work in the area. This museum is a highly important record to the industry that is indigenous to the area as well as holding the most comprehensive and diverse collections of British glass in the country. The threat of its move may also threaten the collections that are on permanent loan – presumably loaned originally providing they were out on display. No other museum would seem a likely candidate to hold these collections, so it is likely that we will also be deprived of having access to a large number of exhibits that will no longer be available and are not held elsewhere.Now should be the time of raising Broadfield House Glass Museum’s profile, not of sweeping it into a corner elsewhere. The council and/or its representatives should look into obtaining extra funding, perhaps by getting Designated Museum Standing which might allow access to national funding.I have been visiting the museum for about 21 years and see this as a totally retrograde step by the council. Maybe I’m being cynical, but, it’s easier to go for downsizing than to work for extra funding – it’s certainly easier to plicate other council workers and the electorate by closing or downsizing what might be seen as a luxury by some local counsellors. Perhaps I’m also being cynical when I ask why, apparently, has nobody checked the floor space involved in each case, surely that is rudimentary to whether the move could be even be feasible?

Dr Graham Cooley
No I would not like Broadfield House to close; it is a National treasure. The collection is world class and an important resource for glass collectors who visit from all over the world. This is your heritage Dudley, you should be ashamed of yourselves.Graham Cooley

Leni Simons
I would most definitely NOT like to see Broadfield House close! The museum collection held there is a national and indeed international treasure, which MUST be preserved and indeed should be increased!

Sue Parsons
No I would not like to see it close. Too many of our heritage sites are closing and there will be nothing left to pass down to our children.