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Dr Rod calls on people of town to back ambitious project

The future of Swindon’s Museum of a consultation with the people
and Art Gallery project looks like of Swindon over the new museum.
it is in safe hands following the I’m keen to reach out to those
appointment of new director Dr people because I am aware that
Rod Hebden. they are passionate about the
He has taken over following the future of Swindon and ultimately
unexpected departure of previous we all want the same thing - to
SMAG director Hadrian Ellory-van see the town prosper. We just differ
Dekker last month and is brimming in terms of how that can best be
with optimism about the future of achieved.
the £22m scheme and the host of “I’m aware that some people are
benefits that it will bring to the arguing for the new museum to
town. be housed in the carriage works
Dr Hebden, who started in the and before taking on this role I did
role last month, is seemingly look carefully at the viability of
undaunted by the task at hand, housing the museum there. I have
picking up the reins where his concluded that it is simply not the Reflecting on the task ahead, Dr Rod Hebden is confident the project will
predecessor left off. right building - there are a lot of bring huge benefits to the economic well-being of the town
“I have been heartened by the reasons why it could not go there.
welcome that I have received He added that there was no complementary. The new museum where it will be considered in
since I took up the post, it’s really reason why SMAG cannot work and art gallery will boost greater detail against rival bids.
“It is a lot of hard work, but the
encouraging. alongside those who want to see investment in the town which will good thing is that it means that we
in turn provide the council with
“We were 10 months into the the rich heritage of the town
project when Hadrian announced preserved. more money to help preserve the have to really plan out the project
that he was leaving and we “I have an engineering and Swindon’s heritage buildings and in detail - which is very valuable in
still have six months to go until science background and I am rejuvenate the town centre. the long run. I’m sure that we could
“It is vital for the success of
the deadline for submitting our passionate about the railway the SMAG project that everyone work out what some of the rival
bids are but we are just focussed
application to the Heritage Lottery heritage of Swindon - I
Fund,” he explained. understand where they are coming feels that they have a stake in on making our bid the best it can
“It’s very important that we keep from. The two projects should be its success - that people living in be.”
up the momentum.” Swindon feel that they are part of Dr Rod Hebden, a father-of-
He is aware of the concerns about it. This project is bigger than one four from Rodbourne Cheney,
the project among detractors person. has a science and engineering
and keen to address these Swindon Borough Council background. Indeed, he is a self-
head on as one of his key submitted an application to the confessed science nerd with an
priorities. HLF in 2014 for funding which insatiable curiosity about the world
“There’s not been enough was ultimately unsuccessful - but around him.
Rod explained that addressing the Rod is no stranger to dealing
shortcomings of that application with the Heritage Lottery Fund and
has helped the trust put together has a track record of leading and
a very strong application this time developing major projects in the
Dr Rod Hebden, who around. heritage sector, having worked with
has been appointed as “Essentially the project needed national museums and heritage for
the new director of the more development. This time over a decade.
Swindon Museum and
Art Gallery around we have set up a trust When working at Science
board, we’ve got a good design. I’m Museum in London, Rod led the
very hopeful that we are in with a successful second stage of their
good chance of getting through the Heritage Lottery Fund submission
first stage.” to secure £6m for a major gallery.
The application will have to Rod was previously a member of
compete for a share of a national the Swindon Heritage Board and a
pot of money against a range board member for the Love Lydiard
of other schemes from Trust, the community group formed
around the country. If of local people in partnership with
successful, Swindon’s Lydiard staff to bid for the running
museum and art and management of Lydiard House
gallery application and Park. He is also an active
will be put forward member of his local Residents’
to a second stage, Association.

It is vital for the
success of the
project that everyone ,
feels they have a
stake in its success.
,

swindonlink.com n June 2017 5

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