I love this museum; it has to be my all-time favourite. It’s a museum without a hard boundary. There are lots of interesting outdoor rooms for you to immerse and indulge yourself in. It’s a place where you can take a self-guiding journey back to the past without feeling like you are skipping the approved and authorised learning programme, picking out only to the best parts. It’s a sandwich without the crust and a jam tart without the pastry.
Traditional museums have often been places set up by the great and the good to fulfil their need to appear to publicly give something back to those less fortunate and privileged. They all have this similar theme of telling you what they think you need to know. At the same time providing the benefactor with a pedestal to set themselves that makes a statement about themselves, reminding us of their great publicly spirited achievements. Of course, the well reserved medal and title of office of public mindedness is all part of the deal.
Bewdley Museum is different. Its an eclectic mix of local social history, workshops, a garden or two and an amazing outdoor café. People are actively encouraged to display their items and objects; it is a true public museum.
David Moore 