National Maritime Museum Hits Paydirt
Thanks to all of you who sent me the link to the BBC story about Israeli tycoon Sammy Ofer giving £20m to the National Maritime Museum as his way of saying thank you for happy times when he was a jolly tar in the Royal Navy. It seems to be the time of year for bilionaires to bestow gifts on the arts - only yesterday the Bodleian Library received a £5m donation - interesting to us as it was founded on our own Duke Humphrey's 15th Century book collection. Maybe we'll see some more big cash gifts over the next few days as wealthy people see the end of the tax year looming.
And it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. The NMM are planning to use the cash to build a new wing. So - a good thing for the museum and a good thing for us, I guess. I'm hoping they have a good plan to ensure we don't lose too much green space around the museum and that it will be a plus for the museum - more temporary exhibition space and more archive areas. A tiny part of me slightly agrees with Shaun, who says
In the larger picture, where is this new wing going to go? I don't want anymore buildings around the NMM, but then I'm picky. Although as a bit of a naval historian wannabe the prospect of more NMM really excites me, I'm worried for the area and how it will turn out.
On the telly at lunchtime, they said it would be in the South West corner - and I can't currently picture what's there already - with a bit of luck that will be because it's boring outbuildings. In the end this can only be a good thing.
You know, though - something about this makes me a little sad for the smaller, less glamorous museums and collections. Wealthy benefactors are a fine thing - and I am absolutely delighted that Sammy Ofer's doing this for us. But whilst no museum is ever going to admit that it's got enough cash, the NMM is not exactly at death's door; and already has an impressive list of donors - not least Peter Harrison, who paid for the the planetarium. I visit little places all the time that are starving for lack of funds - and visitors - less money means shorter opening hours which means fewer visitors. When I am a billionaire, and looking for ways to reduce my tax burden, I will be looking to give a leg up to those quirky individual places that really need the help.
And it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. The NMM are planning to use the cash to build a new wing. So - a good thing for the museum and a good thing for us, I guess. I'm hoping they have a good plan to ensure we don't lose too much green space around the museum and that it will be a plus for the museum - more temporary exhibition space and more archive areas. A tiny part of me slightly agrees with Shaun, who says
In the larger picture, where is this new wing going to go? I don't want anymore buildings around the NMM, but then I'm picky. Although as a bit of a naval historian wannabe the prospect of more NMM really excites me, I'm worried for the area and how it will turn out.
On the telly at lunchtime, they said it would be in the South West corner - and I can't currently picture what's there already - with a bit of luck that will be because it's boring outbuildings. In the end this can only be a good thing.
You know, though - something about this makes me a little sad for the smaller, less glamorous museums and collections. Wealthy benefactors are a fine thing - and I am absolutely delighted that Sammy Ofer's doing this for us. But whilst no museum is ever going to admit that it's got enough cash, the NMM is not exactly at death's door; and already has an impressive list of donors - not least Peter Harrison, who paid for the the planetarium. I visit little places all the time that are starving for lack of funds - and visitors - less money means shorter opening hours which means fewer visitors. When I am a billionaire, and looking for ways to reduce my tax burden, I will be looking to give a leg up to those quirky individual places that really need the help.
Labels: News
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
14:10
30 Comments:
Do they mean the building on the other side of the Queen's House? I've always wondered whats in there
Nah- must be the other side if it's south west. Can't picture it at all...
According to the NMM website, it's going to have a Restaurant and Cafe, 'with a new entrance from the Park'. I hope it is going to be the outbuildings to as anywhere else would upset the balance and obscure the collonade walkway to the Queens House.
Incidently, has anyone else noticed that this is expected to be finished in 2012, just in time for the Olympic Equestrian Event to be held in front of...........THE QUEENS HOUSE.
Spooky how it all seems to come together isn't it?????
You mean they're using a billionaire's money to build a cafe???? How about another gift shop while they're at it...
And yeah - timing's spooky...
...and, of course, the day the French President and his Missus turns up.......
Who would have thought it. An amazing coincidence.
I'm always uneasy about alliances with the French, spending my life reading about the Napoleonic life and war, I can't bring myself to like those crapauds. The Greenwich pensioners will be turning in there graves.
Joking btw.
I quote,
'The new wing features five key elements; a substantial new space for special exhibitions, an open archive centre, new learning spaces, a new south entrance, a restaurant, café and shop.'
They must have heard your plea Phantom...........
'The south entrance from Greenwich Park will create a stronger linkage between the Museum and Royal Observatory, Greenwich, bringing a greater unity to the National Maritime Museum site. The restaurant and café will feature attractive terraces and views over the park. The enhanced visitor facilities and shop will transform a currently under-utilised area of plant and storage at the back of the museum and improve visitor orientation and flow throughout the site.'
Perhaps they think that they can glass over the car park to the SW of the main exhibition space? Here:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=51.480696,-0.005823&spn=0.001066,0.002406&t=h&z=19
Still, I have a very uneasy feeling about this...
I agree with Shaun, there's not really anywhere a whole new 800m2 wing can go without messing around with the existing buildings or the Park.
And does the NMM really need that much more space?
I also agree with Shaun about Jimmy Rounds.
Just kidding.
From the Evening Standard:
“The wing, which has been 12 years in the planning, will involve refurbishing existing buildings and building of an extension. It will house the museum's archive and purpose-built exhibition galleries.”
12 years in the planning???
And there hasn't been any public discussion at all???
I've been wanting £20m for alot longer than that, shouldn't I have priority?
I've been looking at some old maps/photos and I think they are on about the space behind Old St Mary's Church (Please don't tell me that they are moving King William from his spot?) and the 'back door' from the Park to the Museum. This would fit with the idea of a new entrance into the Museum itself from the Park side. It's also an area that is not used or accessible to the public at present anyway as it's only used for storage.
I also see from old maps that there used to be Swimming Baths there!!! and that the main hall of the NMM is in fact the old Gymnasium space!!
I had exactly the same worry about old King William, Dazza. I can't imagine that NMM has a remit to intrude into the Park, however.
Now I am more concerned about Devonport House. As abused as it might be as a 'conference facility', I still wouldn't want to see it being somehow 'linked' to the NMM by more glass roofing...
As paranoid as this might sound, I just tried to take a look at the NMM's "Conservation Plan" they promulgated at the end of 2006. Spookily, the exact pages that refer to the 'Southwest Wing' mysteriously 'failed to load'. In a PDF. Hmmmm....
TBC, no doubt...
I don't think Devonport House has anything to worry about. There seems to be another building in the way first. Running from the North corner of the 'Church site' to the south west of the current Museum. I assume that this is what will be 'used' to link the new and old bits and any new building will be done on the south of this.
The entrance into the park already exists as a 'bridge' type affair across the dip between the Park and the Gardens. I assume they will make this the site of the Cafe AND Restaurant as they say they will both have a terrace and views of the park.
The more I look at the pics the more I think it would fit without being to obtrusive. From the top of the hill it's hidden behind the trees and from St Mary's Gate it's behind the hedges and walls.
It's a pity that we can't have more new bits to show the Visiting Public, like our 'Wheel' that seems to have died a death. Imagine the view of a beauty like the Cutty Sark in all her new refinery from the top of an observation wheel right next to her? ......and the Council/BigWigs voted 'no'.....????!!!
Dazza - have you been having a sneaky snooze? We're GETTING a wheel! Hoorah Hooray. It's arriving in June, I believe and leaving in Sept (don't quote me...) It's absolutely not going to be permanent but this Phantom wouldn't be upset it it were a regular Greenwich visitor...
Hmmm, we'll have to see about the Wheel. IMHO, it will seriously detract from the 'Canaletto view' of the ORNC from Island Gardens and the river. And I'd be surprised if the 'events company' behind the thing doesn't lobby for it to become permanent.
On the NMM, I think this new 'wing' will have to go either to the northwest of the existing South-West Wing (the long bit that the Regatta Cafe is appended to), i.e., between the South-West Wing and Devonport House, or else to the southwest of the South-West Wing, either as the top of a 'T' with the South-West wing as the upright of the 'T', or simply as a lengthening of the South-West Wing.
Alternatively, they might do something with the service yard and little service building attached to the Regatta Cafe, but this is a very small and constrained space, so the 'new wing' would have to be gold-gilded to spend £35m on it there.
I must have missed the fanfare about us actually getting the wheel. I suppose it's like most things in Greenwich, not very well publicised.
As regarding the view from Island Gardens, Franklin, I would have thought that most of the structure would have been obscured by the trees around it and the fact it would be behind the 'new' pier buildings from that angle anyway.
I, for one, would be very interested in having something new to show the world instead of Greenwich relying on new visitors we should think about attracting the existing ones regularly.
My understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the foundation for the wheel is going to be laid on the river bed, a la the London Eye.
So it will be in front of the trees, and to the left of the new pier building as you look across from Island Gardens.
In fact, when looking south from the west side of the Island Gardens foot tunnel entrance, I think the wheel will be in front of the ORNC...
Sorry Franklin. I thought that it was going to be where they had originally wanted it sited. I.E. in front of the Visitor Centre. I wouldn't have thought that they would go to the trouble of laying foundations in the River if it was only going to be for a couple of months.
Haven't heard anything other than it will be very temporary - much like the one in Manchester, which is just firmly placed on the ground. Personally you will have to elbow me out of the way. I can't wait. It's absolutely not permanent, and I can only see it being a good thing. There are FAR worse (and permanent) blights on the view around there than that.
Just found this.....
'The Wheel will be situated in front of the Pepy’s Building Visitor Centre and will be open to the public daily. Each pod holds 6 people and the ride lasts about 12 minutes, plenty of time to take some awe-inspiring panoramic pictures!'
So, Franklin, it won't blight your views.....LOL
Well - it might - just a teensy tiny bit - but hey - I think for some temporary fun, it's worth it.
Looking forward to it. Sorry, F...
Yes, my apologies and thanks for correcting me Dazza. Not sure where I got the idea it was going to be along the riverbank...
I know you're all excited about the wheel and I never said I was opposed to a temporary wheel, especially while the Cutty Sark is out of action. I just have a sneaking suspicion that this will become a permanent landmark in Greenwich. And not sure I want that.
I think it would be very hard for the ORNC to install it permanently - and I think you're right - that's not actually a very desireable prospect. BUT I can see it possibly becoming a regular temporary thing - a bit like the ice rink at Christmas - so that it comes for just a very short season each year.
Instead of building a new wing, why don't they just use all the empty shops in Greenwich at the moment?
I'm not even sure if I'm joking!
Great news about the former merchant seaman's donation.
What's the point of an inferior wheel similar to the faximillyjack one that the Mancs have got- (and yes I have seen it)?
One London Eye for London is enough- if you want another world class one go to Melbourne later this year- they are currently installing theirs.
Hey - don't rain on my parade! I'm looking forward to the wheel arriving - I enjoyed the Manchester one too, even though I didn't really know what I was looking at. Sorry folks - this Phantom can't wait - I've got my tent all lined up so I can be at the front of the queue. I'll be the saddo with the flask...
I'll bring the Sarnies........egg ok with you phantom?? LOL
A bit of cress on mine please Dazza. I'll bring a bottle of Dom for when we get to the top! Do you think they will do "weddings on the Wheel"?
No worries about the cress Benedict, but I'll have to think about the wedding proposal......LOL
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