The new Dudley borough archives and local history centre is holding a special pre launch event this Saturday ahead of it’s official opening in January, as part of national ‘Explore your archives’ week.

The new centre will be hosting a glass themed ‘explore your archives’ event on Saturday 16 November, starting at 10.30am and finishing at 4pm. The event is free of charge and will be celebrating Dudley borough’s glass industry and exploring its rich heritage.

There will be displays of glassware and local glass expert Graham Fisher will be talking about the 2012 Portland Vase Project at 2.30pm. In 2012 a twenty-first century replica of the famous Portland Vase was recreated at the Ruskin Glass Centre in Stourbridge. The Portland Vase represents one of the most important pieces of glass in history and is thought to have originated in Rome AD 5-25.

There will also be craft activities on offer and the opportunity for people to try their hand at working with glass to produce artistic glass pendants and ornaments. Three craft sessions are on offer at 10.4am, 12 noon and 1.15pm. Sessions last for 45 minutes and booking for these sessions is recommended.

Refreshments will be on sale throughout the day and local artists will also be selling jewellery and craft items.

Councillor Stuart Turner, cabinet member for libraries and archives, said:

“The ‘explore your archives’ day is a fantastic opportunity for people to get a special preview of the borough’s brand new archives and local history centre, which will officially open to the public in January. Dudley borough has a rich and varied heritage relating to the nation’s glass industry and this event will take an in depth look at some of the fabulous glass pieces that have been produced over the years”.

The new centre is located on Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ and has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, as part of their funding of the extensive redevelopment of the Castle Hill area of Dudley.

For enquires about the event or to book a place for a craft session or the Portland Vase talk call 01384 815560.

For further information contact: Julie Warrilow, Communications, 01384 815237, julie.warrilow@dudley.gov.uk