A Lott of help for 'outdoor treasure'

Apr 8 2008 By Paul Bradley

A TOP open-air museum in Worcestershire is set for a £365,000 facelift after winning a cash boost from the lottery.

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, based in Bromsgrove, won the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The site, which is home to 27 historic buildings dating back to Tudor times, will now undergo a three-year improvement drive.

The fund's regional manager, Anne Jenkins, said: "Avoncroft is an outdoor museum treasure and one of the most important of its type in the country.

"We are delighted to be able to offer it support for these improvements and help ensure it can be fully enjoyed by the community into the future and beyond."

The funding will pay for new signs and site infrastructure, new interactive displays and interpretation of collections online.

An historic gardens exhibit will also be unveiled to the public as part of the face-lift as gardening techniques are showcased outside the merchant's house, toll house and prefabricated buildings.

Around 50 new volunteers will also be taken on over the next three years.

Avoncroft museum director, Simon Carter, said: "Following extensive visitor feedback we're keen to become a centre of excellence for family learning here at Avoncroft for both the local community and wider audiences.

"We are very grateful to The Heritage Lottery Fund for giving us the chance to explore that possibility."

Worcester MP Mike Foster said: "This announcement is fantastic news.

"This money will help to improve the museum as a vital resource for young people and the community and continue its legacy."