Uphill from the museum in 2012, no real winter at Foxton yet.
Phoenix at Foxton?
Since opening its doors to the public way back in 1989 the popular and much loved Foxton Canals Museum will be closing on 14 December – but not forever!
The reason of the closure is that the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust, the body running the museum, was successful in acquiring a major grant from the Arts Council which, together with other funding, will enable it to to carry out a radical redevelopment of the Museum site.
The new project is planned to rise like the Phoenix form the “ashes” of the old.
Not only will there be new things to see but the name will also be changing. Museum Keeper, Mike Beech explains.
“As the Museum stands on the site of the building that originally housed the steam boiler that drove the boat lift, we thought the new development should be called ‘The Boiler House’.
“Those who constructed the original building and the lift, and those who used it over a hundred years ago, could never in their wildest dreams have imagined what it will have to offer when the refurbishment is complete!”
Working in partnership with HoloVis International Limited, the Lutterworth based audio visual consultants and the world leader in sensory experiences, the Trust is planning great things for the future of the Museum site. Many of the existing items will remain but, alongside them there will be a number of state-of-of-the-art interactive exhibits designed, not only to uncover the treasures of this historically important site, but to bring its heritage to life for the benefit of its many visitors.
The refurbished museum is planned to throw open its doors, complete after its 21st Century updating, at Easter 2015.
Mike says, “We are confident that the experience for visitors will be as good as you can get anywhere in the world!”
Regular updates on the progress of the refurbishment will be issued as well as being posted on the Trust’s website at fipt.org.uk and on the Facebook page.
Our big lift model and canoe is now on show at the old stable at the top lock courtesy of Garry at the Stop Lock. if you visit the site they are open for hot drinks and snacks at weekends and all of Christmas week.
The Museum Folk Club has moved home and changed it's we will now be meeting at the Boathouse thanks to Foxton Locks Inn. This gives us better facilities and we will have more space. pop in and join us on the first Sunday of the month from 6pm. starting on the 4th of January.
The Inn has now completed it's refurbishment and now has a carvery, we had a very good value meal there last month.
The Museum Volunteers met for a fairwarewell lunchtime snack and drink at Bridge 61 last week.
See you all next year!
