News Release - 4th July 2005
Major Lottery Boost to Wythall's Transport Museum
One of the most significant collections of buses and coaches in the UK is to benefit from a major investment by the Heritage Lottery Fund it was announced today.
A programme of improvements by the Transport Museum, Wythall, just south of Birmingham in North Worcestershire, has been expanded by the award from the Heritage Lottery Fund which is contributing £911,920, bringing the total project to over a million pounds.
At the heart of the project is an additional display hall to showcase in a colourful and enjoyable manner why the bus manufacturing and operating industries evolved in the way they have, including the outside pressures on them. Imaginative displays will link the buses and artefacts on show, and there will be audio-visual facilities and assembly areas for groups and school parties.
"This is wonderful news in our 25th anniversary year. Our volunteers are at the core of our success and have worked tremendously hard restoring collections of buses and battery-electric vehicles which the Heritage Lottery Fund has recognised deserve better display" said Malcolm
Keeley, Collections Manager and a trustee of the museum.
Commenting on the award, HLF's Regional Manager Anne Jenkins said "People love historic
vehicles and it's important that we preserve as many of them as possible for people to enjoy and
learn about. The new display hall will have a significant impact on the local community by
attracting visitors and acting as a catalyst for further regeneration".
In addition to the display hall, the total works, to be carried out early next year, include new toilet facilities, a stores building and revised access roads within the site, improving access for wheelchair users and parents with children in pushchairs. The museum has also purchased the freehold of the site to ensure its long term future at Wythall.
The museum is a registered charity and is open this year at weekends and on Bank Holiday Mondays between 11 am and 5 pm until the end of October. On several event days throughout the season, classic buses and a miniature steam railway offer rides and the atmosphere of days gone by to the delight of families and transport enthusiasts.
The museum has long been a magnet to those wishing to help restore older buses but the
Heritage Lottery Fund investment offers opportunities to interested people who may not be mechanically inclined. "We will be expanding our support facilities, for example we will be looking for people to give guided tours, conduct our classic buses, get involved in catering or retailing, or staff the car park. A very important new area is creating an education programme and we would be especially pleased to hear from teachers and potential guides interested in developing the programme" said Malcolm.
Potential volunteers can advise the museum of their area of interest, either by writing to The Transport Museum, Chapel Lane, Wythall B47 6JX or by emailing enquiries@bammot.org.uk.
About Heritage Lottery Fund
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 nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy. This year marks the 10th birthday of the Lottery. Since its conception, HLF have supported 15,000 projects allocating over £3 billion across the UK. In the West Midlands we have awarded almost £176 million to over 1,100 projects
