Museum staff are packing away exhibits in preparation for the arrival of the builders. Work on the long awaited renovation project at the Museum in Bohemia Road was due to start on December 5. This is a major project that will provide level access to all areas of the Museum with a two-storey extension and lift linking the main part of the building to the Durbar Hall.
There will be new displays on the 20th century history of Hastings with special features on John Logie Baird, Robert Tressell, the Mods and Rockers and seaside holidays including an Edwardian Punch and Judy booth and 1950s bathing costumes. The magnificent Taylor collection of Native American exhibits will illustrate the life of tribes associated with Grey Owl and the visit of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show to the town in 1903.
The refurbishment will also provide a new reception and coffee area, lighting and temperature control for fragile and historic exhibits and improved storage.
The scheme will cost £1,236,000 with Hastings Borough Council contributing £253,000 and the remainder provided by external sources, mainly the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Development Interreg Fund.
While the building and display work is carried out the Museum will be closed to the public although a service will continue to operate from the Old Town Hall Museum in High Street. The refurbished Museum will reopen in early 2007.
Although the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery is closed for refurbishment, why not take advantage of what the Old Town Hall Museum has to offer?
The latest exhibition, Remember, Remember... Hastings and the Bonfire Tradition, promises to be very exciting indeed. The exhibition looks at the tradition of Bonfires in Hastings and Sussex.
Remember, Remember… Hastings and the Bonfire Tradition is on from now until January 8, 2006.
Visit www.hmag.org.uk for further details.
Do you know what Hastings Information Centre could offer you?
When you walk into the Information Centre the lively atmosphere and friendly faces immediately reach you. There is a buzzing air to the place and the friendly staff are always there to help you in any way possible.
However, many people don’t realise the diversity of services that the Information Centre has on offer. While a great number of locals have visited the Centre at least once, this is mainly for a specific reason, perhaps to find out about planning applications or to book some theatre tickets. But did you know that the Information Centre offers a host of other services? For instance, if you’re an eco-friendly person interested in the planet, why not drop in to pick up some recycling sacks or learn about the latest recycling information within the area. Or perhaps you’re seeking some entertainment for the weekend? Why not pop in and book some theatre tickets or even plan a holiday! Many coach tours and even Easyjet have booking information available within the Centre. Furthermore, they have everything that could possibly suit the needs of the ever-growing number of tourists visiting our seaside community, from souvenirs and postcards to maps and gifts!
The success of the Information Centre isn’t only felt by the visitors but has also been recognised by the Tourism South East team, who earlier in the year awarded the HIC second place in the Centre for a Tourism Excellence Awards. Although they didn’t win the award the hard work of the staff had been recognised and they have definitely had their fair share of prizes! In 1999 they won the Excellence Award for England, this was for the best Tourist Information Centre and earlier this year they won the National Express Regional Award for their work as agents for the coach travel company.
The ever-increasing excellence of the Centre is being widely recognised. So why don’t you pop in and see what all the fuss is about? You never know you might discover something new about your local area…
Now you even have an excuse to visit the Information Centre, just pop in and answer the questions displayed on the coupon below for your chance to win £20 HIC vouchers, to spend on anything from theatre tickets to souvenirs.
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This page last updated: 21/12/2005