A BRAND-new museum celebrating and preserving the history of Redditch will open this week thanks to the tireless work of volunteers.
The Redditch Local History Museum opens to the public on Wednesday, November 3 at 5 Market Place and showcases a raft of artefacts from the town’s past, along with a selection of fascinating displays charting the history of the town.
The opening comes just one year after volunteers at Redditch Local History Society decided to turn their dream into a reality and follows months of tireless work fundraising and creating the displays.
The society were in desperate need to find somewhere to archive their collection of artefacts to ensure it is protected for future generations so set to work to create the museum, which was given a boost when it was granted £17,000 in National Lottery funding this summer.
Speaking ahead of the official opening Derek Coombes, chairman of trustees at the museum, said: “It’s amazing, it's much better than we hoped for. When we started we thought we could put items in up to the stairs but we have filled it up.”
Peter Harris, a fellow trustee, said he had been blown away by people’s reaction to the museum, adding: “They all said the same thing, 'I can't believe you have managed to bring it back to life'. People have been asking to come in and have a look around. They said they can't believe it.”
Derek and the team of volunteers hope the museum will encourage residents to share their memories, as the community is beginning to lose members who have memories of Redditch before the New Town.
Derek added: “We focus on people's memories as people like to see photos from the past 60, 70 years and spot people they recognise. We want to encourage people to come in and record their memories.”
The museum includes different sections that celebrate different aspects of Redditch history, including the ‘Select’ cinema area which features a screen showing films exploring Redditch’s past, along with a display celebrating the famous figures from the town from Led Zeppelin's John Bonham to singer Millicent Phillips.
Visitors can explore past editions of the Redditch Indicator, the Redditch Advertiser’s predecessor, and find out more about the life of Reverend Fessey, the first reverend of St Stephen’s Church.
There is a also a small reference library named after Redditch historian and writer Anne Bradford.
A screen also displays hundreds of black and white photos of Redditch in the mid-20th century from a selection of 1,500 snaps donated to the museum, so visitors can explore and see if they spot loved ones.
The rear of the museum offers a trove of memorabilia and artefacts, including an impressive model of Evesham Street in the old town, painstakingly created by Redditch man John Maries.
The team say the museum complements Forge Mill Needle Museum, by offering a look at the town’s social history.
Derek added: “The museum is important to the town as history didn't stop when the new town came. Redditch has 1000 years of history.”
After it's official launch on Wednesday, the museum will be open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm.
The group are still calling for volunteers to help with archiving and welcoming visitors. Anyone interested in volunteering at the museum should call 01527 390745.
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