National recognition for Bexhill Museum

Curator Julian Porter represented Bexhill at Church House, Westminster, last Wednesday when the winners of the 2010 Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence were announced.

RFA Design and Bexhill Museum were awarded joint highly commended with The Salt Gallery/ Williamson Art Gallery in the limited budget project category.

New galleries devoted to costume and social history and to Bexhill's motoring heritage were added to Bexhill Museum in scheme funded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Biffa Awards, Rother District Council and the Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd.

The scheme included an education room, new reception area and shops, lift, toilets and disabled access.

The new-look museum was officially opened by its patron, comedian Eddie Izzard, last November.

The awards ceremony followed a champagne reception and dinner and was hosted by broadcaster and journalist, Simon Calder, who announced the winners in each of the twelve categories.

The awards aim to recognise and celebrate best practice among museums, galleries and heritage visitor attractions.

They were judged by a panel of industry professionals, including: Bernard Donoghue, chairman of British Tourism Week; Diane Lees, director of the Imperial War Museum; Matthew Tanner, director of ssGreat Britain; Marie Roberts, editor of the M&H Online and Sam Mullins, director of London Transport Museum.