Newsletter June 2021   Registered charity 1171756

It’s really true! The news that the Stronger Towns fund bid for Herefordshire has been approved means that plans for substantial redevelopment of the Herefordshire Museum and Art Gallery in Broad Street and a new library in Maylord Orchard have been given the go ahead.

Indicative design showing scope for remodelling of interior and exterior spaces.

Images show the new building may include a rooftop garden providing views over the city along with a new entry into the rear of the building from Aubrey Street.

The Victorian façade on Broad Street will be maintained along with some interior spaces including the Woolhope Room. Gallery space will be substantially increased delivering a more extensive permanent display as well as temporary shows. There will also be a shop, café and spaces for education and events. All areas of the new building will be fully accessible and high standards of ‘EnerPHit’ design will improve the physical environment and reduce running costs.

While the Stronger Towns funding is substantial (£5m) the cost of the project is in the region of £15m. The balance of funds will come from Herefordshire Council, Heritage Lottery Fund and other grant and public fundraising. Herefordshire Council are the lead organisation for redevelopment of the Museum and Art Gallery as well as the transfer of the City Library to the Maylord Orchard site. No further details of project management arrangements or the timescale for development are yet available.

HMSSG would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked for the vision of a new museum and art gallery for so long: Herefordshire Council, the Stronger Towns Fund Team, the staff in Herefordshire museum service and of course all of you. We know the museum service can count on your support to make this vision a reality.

If you want to know more about Stronger Towns and sign up for their updates the website is https://strongerhereford.co.uk/

Visit the current Museum & Art Gallery

May Fair                                                                    ends 23 June.

Alfred Watkins (museum & Woolhope Club room)     19 June to 11 Sept.

Mary Rennell                                                            3 July to 21 Aug.

Who we are

HMSSG is a registered charity which works to promote the development of Herefordshire Museum Service. Our priorities are to:

• Encourage Herefordshire Council to invest in enhanced galleries and staff.
• Develop our membership to enable active support for the museum service.
• Raise funds to support the services and promote public enjoyment of the county collections.

If you have some time to spare and support our aims then please email us on herefordmuseumgroup@gmail.com  or join as a member – see website below.