Much Wenlock Museum sees big increase in visitor numbers
Much Wenlock Museum is extremely proud to announce a significant increase in visitor numbers since its major refurbishment.
Visitor numbers have more than doubled since the newly-revamped museum opened back in February 2012. April and May figures show an increase from 3,261 in 2010 (as the museum was closed for renovation in 2011), to an incredible 7,082 for the same months in 2012.
The museum, supported and run by Shropshire Council, had been completely revamped thanks to a £520,800 grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards improvements.
Admission to the museum is free. Visitors can get to learn about Much Wenlock’s famous resident, William Penny Brookes, the widely regarded pioneer of the modern Olympics.
Focusing on the Olympian and geological heritage of the area, the improvement project will broaden the appeal of Much Wenlock Museum to local, national and international visitors, creating new exhibitions, heritage walks and education opportunities for people of all ages.
The new-look museum also houses the Visitor Information Centre, and features installations representing other local heritage themes, including Wenlock Priory, the building’s former history as a cinema, and the inspiration that the surrounding area has provided to numerous literary and artistic figures such as Housman, Mary Webb and Vaughn Williams. In addition to the exhibitions, a local history resource will be created for residents, schools and community groups.
Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism and culture, said:
“This is great news for the museum, and a testament to all the hard work and dedication so many people have given to this fantastic project. The renovation of Much Wenlock Museum has been an extremely important project for Much Wenlock and for Shropshire, which recognises both the unique influence the town had on the development of the modern Olympic movement, and the geological heritage of the area. I encourage residents and visitors of all ages to come along and experience the fascinating history and heritage this wonderful town has to offer and continue to offer their support.”
Milner Whiteman, Shropshire Councillor for Much Wenlock, said:-
“I am very pleased to see the huge increase in the number of visitors to Much Wenlock Museum. It is without doubt a very nice visitor experience, free to everyone who comes to Much Wenlock, and I do hope people will come in even greater numbers and stay overnight in the excellent accommodation which is available locally. We look forward to a busy summer to celebrate the Olympics, with the Torch coming through on 30 May.”
Much Wenlock Museum is open to visitors daily (April to 31 August 2012) from 10.30am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Autumn hours will be announced in due course. For further details, visit www.muchwenlockguide.info, or telephone 01952 727679.
Further information
William Penny Brookes
William Penny Brookes’ lifelong work as a visionary and philanthropist was the inspiration for the formation of the modern International Olympics. He was born in Much Wenlock in 1809 and he believed in the benefits of physical exercise and education to better the working classes and established the Wenlock Olympian Class (later the Wenlock Olympian Society) to promote this aim through an annual sporting competition.
Brookes shared his vision for an International Olympian Festival with influential Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin who visited Much Wenlock in 1890 and was inspired by what William Penny Brookes and the Wenlock Olympian Society had achieved. The Frenchman went on to set up an international Congress. From this, the first of the modern International Olympics were organised and took place in Athens in 1896 – the ultimate realisation of William Penny Brookes’ lifelong dream. Sadly, Brookes died in December 1895, just four months before the first International Olympic Games.
One of the London 2012 Olympic mascots has been named Wenlock in honour of Dr Brookes and his Games, cementing in history the crucial role he played as the forefather of the modern International Olympic Games. A film featuring Wenlock can be viewed at: http://www.mylondon2012.com/mascots/
Wenlock Olympian Society
The first Games, held in October 1850, comprised of a mixture of athletics and traditional country sports. Following Brookes’ death in 1895, the Wenlock Olympian Society (WOS) has kept the tradition going and the WOS’s Annual Games are still held every year – centred on Much Wenlock but now on six sites across Shropshire over five days. You can explore the history of WOS and William Penny Brookes by completing the Olympian Trail in Much Wenlock. The Trail starts outside the Much Wenlock Visitor Information Centre and winds around the town following bronze markers set in the ground.
Much Wenlock
Much Wenlock is one of the oldest settlements in Shropshire and has been a market town for at least 700 years. The town lies on the Northeast end of Wenlock Edge near to Ironbridge and Bridgnorth. This historic town is a warren of quaint streets, black and white half-timbered buildings and limestone cottages. There are numerous speciality shops and watering holes as well as the remains of a grand 12th century priory.
Go to www.muchwenlock2012.com for press materials and images.
William Penny Brookes: www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk
Much Wenlock: www.muchwenlockguide.info
Shropshire: www.shropshiretourism.co.uk
