Master-plan for Ironbridge Gorge Museums to be unveiled

The plan is set to be revealed on April 6 by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and comes alongside a launch of a £15million Fund for the Future appeal, for the development and improvement of buildings and monuments across the Gorge.

Meanwhile, the trust's Museum of Iron will soon re-open for Easter after a six-month refurbishment as part of celebrations to mark it's 50th year since it was founded.

Paul Gossage, for Ironbridge Gorge Museums, said: "Curators, trustees, volunteers and staff are all looking forward to the opening of the Museum of Iron on April 8, ahead of the Easter holidays as part of out 50th anniversary celebrations.

"We are sure that local residents and visitors from afar will be delighted by the new museum, the stories that it tells and how it reveals the way Coalbrookdale changed the world forever.

"The museum has exciting plans to continue the restoration and conservation of key monuments in the gorge and further develop the museums, which are all part of the Coalbrookdale master plan."

According to the trust, the first phase will see the creation of a new destination café, planned for Autumn this year, along with conservation work to protect the Bedlam Furnace, built in the 1750s alongside the River Severn.

Future phases will see the refurbishment of Enginuity, the National Design and Technology Centre, along with the creation of a new collections store, library and archive as well as further conservation to the Old Furnace and associated buildings.

It comes following the announcement an event will also be held in London's Ironmonger's Hall next week to mark the trust's 50th anniversary, giving guests the chance to meet with experts and hear about plans to mark the milestone, including events throughout the year.

The Museum of Iron in Coalbrookdale began its revamp in December 2016 across all three of its floors. During the process, exhibits have been modernised, a new café installed and improved disabled access.

Bosses say the new museum will tell the story of iron from medieval times through to the present day, including a celebration of the lives of the different characters who contributed to making Coalbrookdale “one of the most important industrial locations in the world”.

Exhibits will include varied ironware made in Coalbrookdale, a giant whaling pot, an anchor from a Napoleonic Warship as well as statues, furniture and items such as door stops, cooking pots and flat irons – all made out of iron.

There will also be an interactive trail around the museum for children to follow.

The Trust, which was founded to preserve sites of the Industrial Revolution in and around Ironbridge, was founded in 1967.

For more information, visit www.ironbridge.org.uk or call (01952) 433424.