British Glass Foundation Charity

The British Glass Foundation has announced that its charity will be launched on the 24th of November 2010 at Hagley Hall, Hagley, West Midlands at 12:00pm.

The Charity has been set up to secure the future of the glass collections and archives currently held at Broadfield House Glass Museum and Himley Hall. The Foundation has established a board of trustees, which includes Stephen Pollock-Hill (President of British Glass 2010), Charles Hajdamach (Historian, author and recognised world authority on British Glass), David Williams-Thomas (of the Stevens & Williams glass family of Stourbridge) and Graham Knowles (Chairman of British Glass Foundation and President of Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum).

The collections and archives housed at Broadfield House Glass Museum and Himley Hall are a national treasure. The British Glass Foundation believes that in these uncertain economic times, these archives should not disappear from public view and that more of the collections should be available. Furthermore the charity also wishes to ensure that the existing archive facilities should not be downgraded. The foundation also believes that the collections should have a worthy home that reflects the rich history of Stourbridge Glass, which should be a beacon for glassmaking, design, architecture, conservation, acquisitions, education and tourism.

The British Glass Foundation is backed by many organisations such as, The Glass Association, The Glass Circle, Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum, Scottish Glass Society, Contemporary Glass Society, Glass Collaborations, British Glass Federation and the Chairman of the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers to name but a few.

Many museums, scholars, glass artists, collectors and researchers across the world are keeping a keen interest in the future of the glass collections: including the V&A in London and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

The British Glass Foundation will explain the importance of creating members and fundraising for the collections and set outs its aims and vision on the 24th November.

British Glass Foundation Mission Statement:

"The British Glass Foundation will create the national lead to promote, educate and
inspire visitors to the rich 400 year history of Stourbridge Glass. We aim to secure the future
of the collections and archives, and work with Dudley and Staffordshire Council to find a suitable
and worthy home for the legacy that is British Glass."

Further Information

To learn more about the British Glass Foundation visit www.britishglassfoundation.org.uk.