Peterborough Museum celebrates almost £1m of funding in a year with minister visit as MP calls for 'long term' plan to showcase building
UK Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling Baroness Twycross paid a visit to Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery last week.
Baroness Twycross was joined by Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes and Peterborough City Council Leader Shabina Qayyum for a tour of the museum, which has benefitted almost £1m in funding in the last year to improve access and facilities.
The museum has also recently finished its most successful exhibition ever, the unofficial Doctor Who ‘Adventures in Time and Space,’ which saw over 17,000 visitors come through the door.
Among the existing exhibits, the Minister was also able to see a sneak preview of the new gallery exhibition created by local artist Tony Nero. The ‘Half a Pencil’ exhibition is now open open to the public.
Mr Pakes said: “Peterborough Museum one of the real gems in our city, so it was a pleasure to bring Minister Baroness Twycross to the city, including for a sneak preview of Tony Nero’s new ‘ ‘Half a Pencil’ exhibition which is now open.
“From the Bronze Age to Daleks, the museum is helping to put Peterborough on the map as a city of history, creativity and ambition, with record-breaking visitor numbers for the Doctor Who exhibition and exciting plans for future shows including a major display by street artist Nathan Murdoch.”
“Over the past year the museum has secured nearly £1 million in funding to improve access and facilities. A huge vote of confidence from the Government and other partners in our city’s potential. The next step is for the Government, Arts Council and local partners to work together on a long-term plan that showcases the very best of Peterborough’s art, heritage and cultural offer.”
Museums Minister, Baroness Twycross added: “It was a pleasure to visit Peterborough Museum which we are delighted to have supported through the Museum Renewal Fund."
“The museum plays a vital role in sharing our national story at a local level, ensuring that future generations can continue to learn, be inspired, and understand how their local heritage has shaped our rich history.”