Bantock scoops another award
Released: 17 August 2007
Wolverhampton’s Bantock House Museum has scooped its second national award of the summer. The Finchfield Road attraction was a major prize winner in the International Green Apple Awards 2007 which recognise environmental best practice.
The awards are run by The Green Organisation – a group which promotes schemes that enhance the environment around the world.
Wolverhampton City Council staff were presented with their bronze award by television personality Professor David Bellamy OBE at a ceremony at Kensington Roof Gardens in London.
Historic Bantock has been restored to its Edwardian splendour in recent years. The ground floor of the house now replicates how it looked 100 years ago when it was home to the Bantock family. Upstairs are a range of displays which tell the story of Wolverhampton’s proud past.
The courtyard buildings have been restored and put back into use and a new building has been created on the footprint of the former tractor shed. These now provide accommodation for Bantock Café and Bradmore Library as well as rooms for educational activities, performances and events. They can also be hired out for meetings and parties.
The formal gardens around the house have all been restored to their original designs and boast a Dutch garden, rose garden and woodland pond garden.
Other developments include an upgrade to the children's playground and most recently new changing room facilities which have been designed to compliment the park environment.
Councillor John Reynolds, Wolverhampton City Council cabinet member for leisure and culture, said that visitor numbers to Bantock had increased five-fold in recent years.
He added: “The whole project has been completed with consideration for the environment and conservation has always been a key issue. The venue now provides a wonderful resource for the local community as well as a growing attraction for visitors from all over the country. We are delighted to have won another award recognising just what an excellent facility we have at Bantock.”
Roger Wolens, awards organiser from the Green Organisation, said: “We had around 550 nominations this year and presented about 60 awards, so Bantock did particularly well to triumph against some very strong competition.”
Last month Bantock House was presented with a Jodi Award in recognition of its services for deaf visitors. The national awards scheme, run by the Museums Libraries and Archives Council, aims to promote cultural attractions which demonstrate excellence in making themselves more accessible to disabled people. Bantock House provides video tours in British Sign Language for deaf visitors.
Issued by the press office.