A ‘BREEZE up their garters and chills on their nose’ has led Museum of Royal Worcester chiefs on a fund-raising mission to replace their dated front doors.
The heavy old doors at the museum which cares for and celebrates 250 years of porcelain heritage are ‘draughty, awkward and temperamental’.
They’re of an age where replacement parts are no longer available and dreaded energy bills are creeping ever skyward.
As a result, the museum wants to retire its old front doors and replace them with a new quality disability-friendly entrance which will not only improve energy efficiency, but also help make the stunning collections more accessible to all, including wheelchair users and families with pushchairs.
Museum director Sophie Heath said: “The museum in Severn Street really is one of Worcester’s gems.
“Our staff and volunteers agree it is a pleasure to spend time in our historic building and welcome visitors to enjoy the stories of the people behind the porcelain.
“But our front of house team have started to complain of a breeze up their garters and a chill on their nose and have taken to wearing thermal underwear and woollen hats.
“Please support us with Operation Defrost the Museum, if you can, so we can raise the final 30 per cent needed for the new front doors to keep staff and visitors snug,” she added.
Museum bosses have already managed to raise 70 per cent towards the new doors with grants from Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust and The Hobson Charity.
Worcester firm Joseph Woods Builders have agreed the specification and undertaken final measurements on site ready to place the doors on order.
Their newly launched #DefrostTheMuseum Crowdfunding Campaign invites local residents, former workers, trusts and foundation and supporters in the UK and across the globe, to donate the final 30 per cent needed.
Visit www.museumofroyalworcester.org or www.donorbox.org/operation-defrost-the-museum for more.
