Hereford museum wins acclaim at national ceremony

Hereford Museum and Art Gallery has received national acclaim for its innovation at a prestigious prize giving ceremony in London.

 

The popular visitor attraction, on Broad Street, was awarded second place at the annual “National Awards for Excellence: Museums and Heritage 2005”.

 

Journalist and broadcaster, Sophie Raworth, presented museum staff with a special certificate at the event, in Piccadilly, earlier this month.

 

Judges were so impressed with the new low-cost innovations introduced at the museum that they awarded it second place in the “Project on a Limited Budget” category.   

 

Under the scheme a series of new audio guides and tactile images, both aimed at improving the centre for the visually impaired, have been introduced for around £1,800, a fraction of the commercial cost.

 

As part of the audio tour new CD players have been purchased and individual CDs created which explain the museum’s artefacts and the gallery’s exhibitions.

 

These have been used instead of the stick-like audio tapes found at attractions up and down the country but cost around £12,000. 

 

The tactile images are Braille-like versions of pictures or diagrams which the visually impaired can touch and feel.
 

Herefordshire Council’s Principal Heritage Officer, Kate Andrew, said the project was a partnership between the museum and arts gallery, the Royal National College for the Blind and student work placements from the college.

 

“We’re very proud of our achievement. Our project excited the judges because it has created a sustainable resource that will continue to improve access to our sites for many years to come,” she said.

 

“The project included students with visual impairments working in partnership with museum staff to produce an audit of the services on offer and their recommendations led to the creation of audio guides, tactile images and other innovations.”

 

Judges praised the innovation of the project and were impressed by the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the new systems set up.  The project also allowed staff members to attain new skills.

 

“It’s a great compliment,” said Lara Latcham, Herefordshire Council’s Visitor Services Officer and project leader. 

 

“The whole project has been a growth experience for the museum, the staff and our work placement students.”

 

Herefordshire Council’s Administrative Officer, Caroline Goyvaerts, added: “Every time we look at the framed certificate which we were presented with it is a spur to continue and improve on our services.

 

“This is not a project that ever ends, we will always be striving to improve access to the museum.”

 

For more information contact Heritage Services on (01432) 260692 or e-mail herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk.