Campaign to be launched to keep Staffordshire gold hoard in West Midlands
He stressed that it would be a treasure for the region, as it belonged to the old kingdom of Mercia, and would be shared with museums in Stoke, Walsall, Lichfield, Tamworth and Nottingham – with Birmingham, as the regional centre of excellence, being the main custodian.
“This find has really caught the imagination of the public, with 10,500 people queuing to see it the first three days and media coverage around the world.”
Coun Mullaney (Lib Dem, Moseley and Kings Heath) suggested that visitors use existing collection boxes until the campaign is formally launched.
He added that the campaign would take its inspiration from the successful efforts in Scotland to raise £50 million to buy Titian’s painting of Diana and Actaeon after the Duke of Sutherland put it up for sale. A combination of the Scottish government, museum funds, private donors and various arts and heritage funds were used to purchase the painting.
