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News for Newbury & West Berkshire => News Stories => Topic started by: Administrator on May 13, 2014, 11:38:37 am

Title: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Administrator on May 13, 2014, 11:38:37 am
Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment


(http://newbury.net/museumthen.jpg)


That was then...


(http://newbury.net/museumnow.jpg)


...This is now!


The refurbishment of the West Berkshire Museum, including the Cloth Hall and the Corn Store is now complete. During June and July, the artefacts which are currently in storage will be unpacked and arranged for display within the building.
The museum is expected to re-open to the public before the end of August.
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Tommy Atkins on May 19, 2014, 04:46:50 pm
Totally out of keeping with its environment... :-\
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Old Goat on May 20, 2014, 09:24:57 am
Have to say, wholly disagree!  I suppose it is 'in the eye of the beholder', but to my mind what has been put up is far more attractive than what went before.  It does pull the two historic buildings together - without intruding itself.  At last, we have something worthy of the Town! 
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Stormin on May 23, 2014, 01:39:32 pm
I must admit I personally think the new build leaves a lot to be desired.

It looks likle someone "trying to make their mark" the colour of the central section should be the same as the exisitng building (to blend in a bit at least) and it would have been nice if they had at least kept the old crest and re-instated that on that part of the building.

The large expanse of glass would look more at home in somewhere like London (I know that is the modern way but this is a Museum not an art gallery) something more sympathetic to its surroundings would have been better IMHO.
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Archie on May 23, 2014, 03:12:17 pm
No sign of museum staff rushing to get those artefacts back on the shelf.

Will it really be reopening this year?
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: blackdog on May 24, 2014, 12:36:40 am
I believe the 'old crest' is supposed to be going back to its original place with Queen Vic.

The museum is due to open in late August.
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Tommy Atkins on June 03, 2014, 03:28:49 pm
Imagine the chances of getting the plans for that "glasshouse" passed if you grafting it onto the side of private listed building ::)
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Old Goat on June 03, 2014, 08:17:29 pm
Quite easy, particularly if it was going to replace a pre war shed....
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Uncle on June 13, 2014, 11:41:21 am
With the amount of smashed windows in town,lately,it won't be long before it's targeted.
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Old Goat on June 15, 2014, 09:54:14 pm
Sadly, I'd have to agree with you!  It's pretty pointless doing anything much round here, because some of the locals are just intent in turning it into to a slum.  For instance, there is a nice riverside walk, along the Lambourn from the new houses where it looks as if the refuse lorry delivers! 
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: blackdog on June 20, 2014, 12:06:01 pm
Quote from: Old Goat on May 20, 2014, 09:24:57 am
Have to say, wholly disagree!  I suppose it is 'in the eye of the beholder', but to my mind what has been put up is far more attractive than what went before.  It does pull the two historic buildings together - without intruding itself.  At last, we have something worthy of the Town!


Have to say I disagree!  In my eye the new structure is far too big and overpowering, hiding the end of the Cloth Hall and generally looming over the old buildings - thoroughly intrusive! 

And the decision to have a plate glass window on to the street looking in at two toilet doors is bizarre to say the least.
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: BrianB on December 18, 2014, 12:21:30 pm
Quote from: blackdog on June 20, 2014, 12:06:01 pm

And the decision to have a plate glass window on to the street looking in at two toilet doors is bizarre to say the least.



You are not alone Blackdog. This letter has appeared in todays copy of the Newbury Weekly News

(http://newbury.net/toiletdoors.jpg)
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Old Goat on December 18, 2014, 04:09:48 pm
The biggest disappointment with the museum is the content.  They seem to have lost the plot, it's now just a municipal tea shop.  Sad really!  Frankly, against its failure to deliver what most think a museum should be doing, the sight of a toilet door sign through the window is nothing.  Aren't our priorities slightly out of kilter? 
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Don on December 18, 2014, 04:46:27 pm
Quote from: Old Goat on May 20, 2014, 09:24:57 am
Have to say, wholly disagree!  I suppose it is 'in the eye of the beholder', but to my mind what has been put up is far more attractive than what went before.  It does pull the two historic buildings together - without intruding itself.  At last, we have something worthy of the Town!


I agree, however, they made it more modern, destroying its history, however, and I thought that defeated the object.
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Old Goat on December 20, 2014, 11:07:57 am
The 'bit in the middle' wasn't particularly old.  It dated back to the mid 1930s and the design was really no more than a stage set - simply a corridor joining the two old bits together.  Certainly very little thought went into it which then didn't matter because the area was pretty unkempt anyway.  Newbury has always struck me as being a bit odd when it comes to decent design, just look at the number of people who apparently preferred what was a good imitation of a derelict bomb site to Parkway!
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: BrianB on December 20, 2014, 12:42:42 pm
Quote from: Old Goat on December 20, 2014, 11:07:57 am
Newbury has always struck me as being a bit odd when it comes to decent design, just look at the number of people who apparently preferred what was a good imitation of a derelict bomb site to Parkway!


No, the derelict bomb site evolved because numerous attempts were made to provide Newbury with better shopping facilities, but they were all stifled for various reasons which I won't go into here. Here is an example of a plan put forward in 2003.

www.newbury.net/parkway.pdf (http://www.newbury.net/parkway.pdf)
Title: Re: Newbury - The West Berkshire Museum - Before and after refurbishment
Post by: Old Goat on December 21, 2014, 09:55:54 pm
Oh!!!  The wait was clearly a very good move, unbelievable that anyone would have thought that good design; even by 1970s standards.