MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS

IN BRIEF

Cardiff's Pierhead building reopens

One of Cardiff's most iconic

buildings has reopened its doors to the public as an events and visitor attraction, following the completion of a £1.26m revamp. Refurbishment of the Pierhead building was carried out by Penarth-based R and M Williams and has seen a number of multi-use spaces created to host exhibitions. One of the Pierhead's new exhibitions gives visitors the chance to explore the history of Wales, with an audio-visual display of Welsh icons who have made contributions to the country's cultural identity.

Plans unveiled for Welsh dragon landmark

Plans for the construction of a

new 65m (213ft) Welsh dragon landmark on a site between Llangollen and Wrexham, North Wales, have been unveiled by a local entrepreneur. Businessman Simon Wingett is behind the Waking the Dragon project, which is designed to act as a "cultural gateway" to the region and comprises a 25m (82ft) bronze dragon sculpture sitting on top of a 40m (131ft) tower. Surrounded by a landscape of informal pathways and woodland, the scheme also includes a cultural centre comprising an art gallery, a 100-seat café/bar and a 125-seat Mabinogion restaurant.

MP joins bid to save Ambleside museum

Tim Farron, the Liberal

Democrat Member of Parliament for South Lakeland, has urged the government and local authorities to help safeguard the future of a museum in Ambleside, Cumbria. Armitt Museum, which houses a collection of works by artist Kurt Schwitters and author Beatrix Potter, requires a £10,000 cash injection by the middle of March in order to remain open.

8

news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk

People's History Museum relaunches

Museum exploring history of working class people receives major £12.5m revamp

By Pete Hayman

A museum exploring the role of working-class people in the development of democracy in Britain from the early 18th century to the present day has reopened in Manchester. Unveiled by health secretary

and member of Parliament for Leigh, Andy Burnham, the People's History Museum has benefited from an extensive £12.5m redevelopment. The new-look attraction

boasts 1,384sq m (4,541sq ft) of exhibition space and nearly 1,500 artefacts on display, while a purpose-built commu- nity gallery will enable individuals and groups to stage their own exhibitions. Visitors also have a behind

the scenes opportunity to view the only Textile Conservation Studio in the UK, which is dedicated to the preservation

The museum has been expanded and now displays 1,500 artefacts

of banners. The museum's archives include a large collection of artefacts from the Labour and Communist Parties. Designs for the refurbish-

ment scheme were drawn up by architects Austin-Smith:Lord, while Paul Cleworth Project Management, Wates Construc- tion, Curtins Consulting, Buro Happold and exhibition designer Headland Design

Visitor centre plans for Jodrell

By Pete Hayman

Plans have been submitted to Cheshire East Council (CEC) for the creation of a new discovery centre at the University of Manchester's (UM) Jodrell Bank Observatory. The 'live science' visitor

attraction aims to attract thousands of extra visitors to the observatory, showcasing research 'as it happens' and inspiring a future generation of young scientists. Jodrell Bank's 1,000sq m

(10,764sq ft) discover centre will include a Planet Pavilion entrance building, with orientation centre and a café offering views of the Lovell telescope. A Space Pavilion accommodating a multi-purpose

Plans for the centre include a 'Planet Pavilion' entrance

events, exhibition and educa- tion space and the landscaping of the site's arboretum to create a Galaxy Maze and a Space Garden are also proposed. Designs for the scheme have

been drawn up by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, while Capita Symonds has been appointed project manager.

Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital

Associates were involved with the delivery. Consultants True North,

disability arts agency Full Circle Arts, digital agency Reading Room and Simon Fenton Partnership also worked on the project, which was handed a £7.18m grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund and £2m from the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

Conan Doyle plans criticised

Campaigners fighting to save the former home of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have called on the local authority to reject plans for a residential develop- ment on the site. Waverley Borough Council

will decide whether to award planning permission for the construction of three separate dwellings on the site of the Undershaw property in Hindhead, Surrey. Conan Doyle, the creator of

Sherlock Holmes, lived at the house during the time he wrote

The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Campaigners fighting to stop

the residential development have put forward alternative plans to develop the house as a visitor attraction.

© Cybertrek 2010

IMAGE: UM/FEILDEN CLEGG BRADLEY STUDIOS

IMAGE: KIPPA MATTHEWS 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