THE NEW Norton Collection Museum will be officially opened by Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid at 10am tomorrow (Saturday) after being shut for more than eight years.
Formerly the Bromsgrove Museum, it had been run by the district council and, for the last few years prior to its closure, by Dennis Norton – whose collection the venue was based on.
Since then, he has strived to re-open the museum on Birmingham Road and set up a charitable trust to undertake the task.
By the end of last year, it had reached its target and the owners had sufficient funds to open the building – the ownership of it was transferred to the trustees early this year.
The Norton Collection Museum will include many items of local interest, as well as general artefacts.
Over the last few weeks, Dennis and other supporters have worked hard to get the museum into a fit state for its reopening and tomorrow, for one day only, it will be free all day to visitors.
It will then open next on Sunday and bank holiday Monday.
At a recent public meeting, a number of volunteers came forward to help run the museum and the intention is to open it from 10am to 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, along with bank holiday Mondays.
Future plans include a major revamp of the entrance and to create extra space at the back so it can house a major display of the work of the Bromsgrove Guild – famous for making the Buckingham Palace gates and the Liver Birds statue in Liverpool.
It is also hoped, when more resources become available, to extend the opening hours.
Anyone interested in helping should call Dennis Norton on 01527 578676.
