Maidstone Museum’s bright future


IN 2003, when Simon Lace started his new job as manager of Maidstone Museum, he was told by his council bosses: "Give it a kick up the backside." Now, eight years on, he is on the verge of achiev-


ing the transformation he knew was needed. The museum building, based around a fine Eliz-


abethan house in St Faith's Street, is getting its 12th addition in more than 400 years - the £3.7m East Wing extension. With its quilted-effect copper cladding, the ex-


tension is rocketing the museum - already Kent's biggest and best - into the 21st century. "It is the best, but the best use of it has not been


made in the past," said Simon. That is about to change this summer when the


new reception door - a glazed one, rather than the present rather unwelcoming wooden one - opens to the public. There will be much more display space - until


now, only 2% of the 660,000 artefacts and speci- mens could be shown at any time; many paintings have not been viewed for years and items have had to be stored at various locations in the museum. "Some, literally, in cupboards under staircases," said Simon. New galleries and display units plus a bigger, brighter retail area will give the public a memo- rable experience. Meanwhile, the extension will use ‘green’ tech- nologies - photovoltaic solar panels and ground- source heat pumps - to cut energy bills. The building will have a well-lit, airy feel, thanks largely to its glass 'walls' which will offer delight- ful views of neighbouring Brenchley Gardens and a previously-hidden 16th century courtyard. The extension will provide three purpose-built education and meeting spaces equipped with ded- icated facilities and interactive technology to allow schoolchildren as well as lifelong learners to ex- plore the collection in depth.


Simon is sure the facelift will "wow" visitors, with 120,000 expected each year, an increase of up to 50%.


Council praise SIMON Lace (pictured) praised the borough council for being bold and visionary in pressing ahead with the project, at a time when other local authorities have had to pull out of similar schemes. The Heritage Lottery Fund


contributed £2m of the £2.2m raised so far and major efforts are beingmade to raise money to reduce the amount needed from the local taxpayer. Simon stresses that the project is awise investment. "Museums are not about the past but about the future and, primarily, about educa- tion."


The distinctive frontage (top) is set to become a town centre landmark, along with the partly glazed rear (left)


Tile Showroom Adhesives & Grouts


Monday to Friday 8.00 - 5.30 Saturday 8.30 - 5.00 Ample Free Parking


Tel: 01622 717107 info@cafceramics.co.uk www.cafceramics.co.uk


Unit 5, 2M Trade Park, Beddow Way, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BT


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 Town 3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40