Priti launches ‘Powering Forward’ project at much loved local museum
The MP for the Witham constituency, Priti Patel, was delighted to attend the launch event for the new ‘Powering Forward’ refurbishment project at The Museum of Power, following the completion of the new extension and expansion works.
The ‘Powering Forward Project’ has been under development for several years, and has been funded through support by both partners in Essex & Suffolk Water, as well as the National Lottery Heritage Fund. As a longstanding supporter and champion of the museum, having been appointed a patron in 2019, Priti helped support the application to the Fund in November 2020.
The application was successful, with the Museum receiving funds totalling more than £1.2 million. Testament to the museum’s outstanding local reputation as a much-loved cultural and heritage asset, it also raised some £240,000 itself in match funding.
This vital funding helped secure a major expansion of the Museum and its educational facilities, and includes the creation of a new main entrance with a reception area and gift shop, as well as a new outdoor covered extension to the Steam Pump Tea Room.
The museum also recently received a £290,000 grant from the Arts Council in May 2024, which will be used to improve access and reduce the museums environmental impact.
Speaking at the event Priti said “It was a pleasure to attend the launch celebrations this morning – the Museum of Power is one of our county’s great tourist attractions , and does such important work both in preserving a major part of our history through it’s exhibits that illustrates the development of our industrial evolution.
Throughout my time as the Member of Parliament for Witham, I have welcomed the opportunity to work with and support the museum, and it has been wonderful to see them grow. It was an honour to be invited to become patron of the museum in 2019, and to support their refurbishment and expansion plans.
In recent years we have seen significant support provided by partners of the museum, as well as through successful grant applications to schemes such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This major investment has helped to secure the future of the museum, and firmly puts the Museum of Power on the cultural heritage map.
My thanks go to all those who have helped to see these plans move from the drawing board to fruition, and in particular, Essex & Suffolk Water who I know are great supporters of the museum.
Thanks also rightly go to all the trustees, staff and volunteers who very kindly give their time both with the day to day operation of the museum as well as the ongoing fundraising efforts.”