A smart new building has appeared in the grounds of the Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection. On the 1st and 2nd December 2016, Dunster House buildings delivered and erected the 15-square metre building on an existing concrete slab in the museum gardens. Not only has this tidied up a rather unsightly corner of the garden but, more importantly, it has provided a dry, secure space in which museum staff and volunteers can work on those items in the museum collection that need a spot of tlc.
Currently, such work is performed in the meeting room on the first floor of the main museum building and must share space with all the other activities that take place in that room. Before a school visit, for example, work must be moved out of harm’s way or made safe from little fingers. The new building, once fitted out will be used as a clean work area where items can be safely left whilst they are being restored. It will also become part of the ‘visitor experience’ with the large glass area providing an opportunity to see on-going restoration work.
The purchase of the workshop, erection and fitting out is being funded by the Friends of the Museum using funds generated over the years through donations and the sales of raffle tickets, model car sets, badges and refreshments from the shepherd’s hut.
The application of timber preservative and fitting out will hopefully be completed before the museum reopens on 11 February 2017.