Information on Loughborough

Melton Carnegie Museum development on target

Posted on 19/04/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

7 April 2009

Melton Carnegie Museum development on target

The development of the Melton Carnegie Museum is currently on target. Building work started in January. There will be a ground and first floor extension at the back of the existing museum which will double its size. This exciting development is due to a major award from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) of £969,000 and partnership funding from Leicestershire County Council, Melton Borough Council and the Museum of Hunting Trust .

In spite of disruption caused by severe weather in January and February the construction work is on schedule and will be completed in October. The new displays will then be installed for spring 2010.

Museum curators from Leicestershire County Council’s museum service are now working hard behind the scenes to develop the content of the new displays featuring rural life in the area which will be informed by the work of volunteers and recent consultation events in Melton.

Cabinet member for Community Services, Ernie White, said: "The support from the Heritage Lottery Fund is enabling this much needed development to take place. Museum staff are working with a number of local history volunteers to generate the community archive which in turn will inform the displays. It is an exciting time and the new facilities will enable local visitors and visitors from further afield to learn about Melton and the surrounding countryside."

Emma Sayer, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: "The developments at Melton Carnegie Museum promise to dramatically improved opportunities for local people access the impressive collections and displays. This is a wonderful example of how the Heritage Lottery Fund can make a lasting benefit to local communities now, and for generations to come"

The museum closed mid December 2008 for one year to allow the completion of the building project, it will partially reopen December 2009 and the new gallery will be completed for Spring 2010.

How to get involved

Leicestershire County Council’s Museums Service at Melton Carnegie Museum is encouraging anyone interested in local history to get involved with developing the community archive. A number of voluntary projects are already underway. For further information please telephone 01664 569946 or log on to www.leics.gov.uk/meltonmuseum for details of the closure.

Background

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nations heritage to everyone to enjoy. Since 1994 HLF has awarded over £4.3 billion to more than 28,800 projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including over £211million to the East Midlands alone.

Officers to Contact:

  • Dr Yolanda Courtney Head of Museums Tel. 0116 3056642
  • Jenny Dancey, Keeper Melton Carnegie Museum Tel.01664 569946