Grant aid for new museum inter-active feature

News of the grant was described this week as "a wonderful New Year present for Bexhill."

Society head of fund-raising John Betts said this week: "The Society of Bexhill Museums is delighted to announce the award of a grant of 38,720 by Biffaward to fund the interactives area in our new motoring/technology gallery.

"By this award the following outputs and achievements will be realised by the society:

1 The new gallery of which the interactives are an integral part, will draw together under one roof all aspects of the technology heritage of Bexhill and the surrounding area.

2 The re-developed museum as a whole, together with the De La Warr Pavilion will offer two unique local resources that will draw additional visitors to Bexhill.

3 The new facility will allow local students together with those from overseas and all interested visitors to the museum 'hands-on' experience of the major forms of vehicle power along with tools for the job.

4 A primary achievement of the interactive area will be its role in local education.

5 The new facility will greatly increase the number of students visiting the museum.

6 The re-developed museum with its extended facilities, especially the new motoring/technology gallery will continue to act as a focus for local community action.

7 The social history of the car will be explored in depth together with its environmental impact and Bexhill's role as the birthplace of British motor sport and subsequent significant events up to the present day."

Martin Bettington, chairman of Biffaward, said: "Biffaward is committed to supporting our cultural buildings, of which Bexhill Museum is a fine example.

"Recently we have also helped the De La Warr Pavilion - both being less than 10 miles from Biffa's Pebsham landfill site, thus making them eligible to apply to us for funding."

John Betts said: "Everyone has worked very hard on this project and it is a wonderful New Year's present for Bexhill"

Society chief executive Peter Fairhurst said: "We are involved in a long process to develop our new museum and this award is very encouraging and sets us well on our way towards achieving our goal"

Site-clearance work for the museum extension project has begun.. Fund-raising is ongoing and the re-developed museum should open early in 2009.