U.K. Carpet Museum Gets Construction Grant

Kidderminster, England, sept. 25, 2008--A potential carpet museum in Kidderminster has received a $3.15 million lottery grant.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) effectively gave the green light to their dream of building a major carpet museum in the Grade II Listed Stourvale Mill.

Charles Talbot, secretary and trustee of The Carpet Museum Trust, said: “This is brilliant news. Many people have been waiting for this for a long time.

“The grant has given us an excellent platform to stand on and say this is worth supporting because it is going to happen.”

Melvyn Thompson, chairman of the Friends of the Carpet Museum Trust, explained: “I am thrilled at the success.

“The Friends volunteers will continue their support as we move on to build the museum.

It is a dream come true.”

Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor, added: “This announcement is fantastic news. The museum will be a vital part of my dream – an industrial heritage trail, to become a major tourist attraction in Wyre Forest.”

Talbot explained the total project would cost about $5.4 million and that the trust would have to raise about $1.15 million itself.

He said members would be hiring a fund-raiser for a year to approach foundations and trusts for grants.

The central attraction will be a working power loom, while display galleries will interpret the development of the industry in Kidderminster since the 18th century.

There will also be hands-on opportunities to learn about the technical aspects of carpet production, while the Carpet Archives Centre will be relocated to the new site.

In addition, there will be an education and resource area for families and schools, a temporary exhibition area and the display of the museum’s collection of machinery, artefacts, photographs, archives and libraries over two floors in an area of 14,000 square feet.