Museum celebrates funding boost

25th January 2012

The Windsor & Royal Borough Museum is celebrating its latest success just a month after the Queen visited the Windsor Guildhall to officially open the museum.

A confirmed grant of just over £249,000 has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) following a successful bid by the Royal Borough’s libraries, arts and heritage team.

The money means the recently opened museum will now be able to develop a series of exciting education and learning activities to engage the people of Windsor and the millions who visit the town in its fascinating history and that of the surrounding areas.

The project – to be called Beyond the Castle Walls – the Story of Windsor and the Guildhall – will feature a series of learning ‘journeys’ which will be created for adults and children supported by a programme of activities and events. These will be designed to encourage community participation in the creation of content, such as oral and video histories and capturing stories and personal memories about important local events.

Cllr Simon Dudley, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “I am delighted to hear that our bid has been successful and would like to thank everyone who contributed to securing the funds, including MP for Windsor Adam Afriyie. The project will offer new opportunities for residents and visitors to discover, enjoy and connect with the area’s history.”

Stuart McLeod, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund said: “This project will see the newly opened museum come alive by offering a rich variety of learning activities and events, providing opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in their history.”

Specific features of Beyond the Castle Walls include:

• an audio tour, written and presented by museum volunteers, describing key features of the building
• a virtual 360^o film presentation which enables visitors – including those who cannot access the upper floor – to explore how the Guildhall’s role has changed down the centuries
• a volunteer-led project which develops and captures oral and video histories relating to the Guildhall, Windsor and surrounding areas
• an exhibition development programme involving and supporting local heritage groups and schools
• a heritage partnership to be established with Friends of the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, local heritage groups and educational institutions and community groups, as well as a formal education advisory panel
• a range of educational materials and learning activities, including online resources, outreach activities, themed events and a travelling exhibition.

The Beyond the Castle Walls project will be launched this spring, be fully operational by the end of the year and run until the end of 2014.