attractions & mUseUms


New board for Birmingham Museums Trust announced


A new board of trustees incorporating expertise from the arts, science and busi- ness sectors among others has been revealed for Birmingham Museums Trust (BMT). It is one of the largest museums services


to go to trust status and will operate attrac- tions such as Tinktank and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. BMT has already been confirmed as a


Renaissance major partner by Arts Council England and will receive nearly £5.1m of funding over a three-year period. Details: http://lei.sr?a=j9K4H


HLF support for four UK museums


The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has invested £15.9m in four major UK museum development projects – one in Dorset and three in London. A £4.65m funding award –


the largest of the four – has been handed to the Design Museum towards its move to the Commonwealth Institute building in Kensington. John Pawson has rede-


signed the Grade II*-listed property, which will see the museum move into a cultural quarter that already includes sites such as the V&A. The V&A itself has also


Imperial War Museum London is among the four recipients of funding


secured a HLF grant, with investment worth £4.3m going towards a res- toration of the Europe 1600-1800 galleries back to their original Victorian design. Elsewhere, Imperial War Museum London secured £4.5m towards its new First World War Galleries.


Te historic gallery building has been renovated


William Morris Gallery to reopen its doors in August


William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, London, has reopened following the com- pletion of a £10m redevelopment. Work included the revamp and extension


of the Grade II gallery building to provide more exhibition space and the creation of a new learning centre. Te investment is part of plans to estab-


lish the gallery as an international centre of excellence for the study of William Morris – one of the foremost creative artists and original thinkers of the 19th century. Details: http://lei.sr?a=y2I7I


New trust takes over control of Auckland Castle


Te newly-established Auckland Castle Trust (ACT) is planning to restore and open up the County Durham property aſter assuming responsibility for its operation. Te trust aims to raise more than £10m


over the next two years to realise its vision for Auckland Castle – the former home of the Bishops of Durham. ACT is planning a centre for the History


of British Christianity and to host exhibi- tions in conjunction with partners such as the V&A and the British Museum. Details: http://lei.sr?a=c9t2i


10 Dorset’s Tank Museum is the fourth recipi-


ent of funding and has secured £2.5m for a new Vehicle Conservation Centre in which visitors can learn more about armoured vehicles. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=N4T2u


Shannon Heritage to run Malahide Castle


Shannon Heritage has been appointed to operate Malahide Castle and Gardens in County Dublin, Ireland – its first move outside the Shannon area. It follows a deal between


the operator and Malahide Castle and Gardens – formed by Fingal County Council to oversee a €10.5m (£8.2m) investment in the attraction. Shannon Heritage is set to


operate the redeveloped cas- tle – including a new museum and interpretation area – and a visitor centre in the old court- yard. Te new and upgraded facilities will open in September. John Ruddle, chief executive of Shannon


Malahide Castle and Gardens will now be operated by Shannon Heritage Shannon Heritage currently operates a num-


Heritage, said: “Te council is doing a superb job in the redevelopment of the castle and we look forward to building on this work.”


ber of attractions in Counties Limerick, Clare and Galway – including Bunratty Castle and Folk Park near Limerick. Details: http://lei.sr?a=H8F1W


New park director named by Oakwood Theme Park


Welshman Dominic Jones has been appointed as the new park director of Oakwood Teme Park - the attraction located across 80 acres (32 hectares) of Pembrokeshire countryside. Te 34-year-old has taken up the role aſter a career that has taken him to locations including


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


Hong Kong and Walt Disney World Florida, as well as Kenya and South Africa. Jones also has experience of the UK sector,


having worked at Madame Tussauds, Torpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=c9Y1S


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2012


image: william murphy


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