A NEW museum in Lutterworth is bringing 2,000 years of the town’s history to life.
Lutterworth and District Museum has moved from its old premises in Gilmorton Road to its new base at Lutterworth Town Estates’ £1million High Point building, so-called as it’s the highest point in the town, near to The Shambles pub.
Trustees say the intention is to be able to show the origins of the town through static and interactive exhibits, with informative video and audio presentations which explain the journey through history.
As well as artifacts, photographs and memorabilia, there are displays about John Wycliffe who completed the first translation of The Bible from Latin into English in 1383, jet engine pioneer Sir Frank Whittle, and a Rolls Royce Merlin Engine from a Second World War fighter plane which was shot down during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Special artwork, created by the ‘Artsy Twins’, and depicting Lutterworth’s history, has also gone on display at the museum to celebrate the launch.
The opening is the culmination of hard work from the Museum Trustees and Lutterworth Town Council, supported by Lutterworth Town Estates Charity, Museums Development East Midlands, Leicestershire County Council, Harborough District Leisure Trust, and Gazeley Properties.
Support has also come from Harborough District Council with £150,000 of section 106 funding – paid by developers in areas of new housing – towards the High Point building, and over £17,700 for display cases for the museum.
The High Point building was granted planning permission by the Council in 2018, and since then trustees have been busy preparing for the public opening.
Lutterworth Town Council’s Coun Tony Hirons, Chairman of the museum trustees, said: “Everything was transferred from the old museum site on the outskirts of Lutterworth to it’s new home last December.
“Since then a group of us have been in there three mornings a week sorting everything out, and I’m delighted that we have finally been able to open our doors to the public.
“We really believe this will be a museum that we can be proud of, and we truly hope that the people of Lutterworth and the surrounding district will feel the same.”
“We had a sneak preview of the museum with over 250 people attending, and we now hope even more people will come and see what we’ve been doing. We also hope to have a formal opening later in the year.”
Coun Simon Whelband, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for grants, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been able to support this exciting project which will provide a permanent base for the museum to showcase the town’s past and how it has shaped the present.”
Coun Phil King, Harborough District Council’s leader and tourism spokesman, said: “I really hope as many people as possible come and see what the museum has to offer. Lutterworth has a rich and varied history and I am pleased that this new museum will become a focal point of the town for local people, and for visitors to the area.”
Visit www.lutterworthmuseum.org for more information about the new Lutterworth and District Museum.
