THE finishing touches have been put to the grounds of the new Stourbridge Glass Museum thanks to a grant of nearly £80,000.

The British Glass Foundation, the charity that runs the Wordsley museum, has successfully secured £78,630 from FCC Communities Foundation towards external landscaping including a striking lighting structure, seating, cycle racks, artwork and interpretation panels.

The charity has also secured £4,846 from Dudley Council’s community forums towards the professional fees for the project.

The landscaping work was carried out by Jack Moody Landscaping and Civil Engineering Limited of Wolverhampton and the lighting structure has been created and installed by Simworx Limited, in Kingswinford.

The lights can be changed for different events and the interpretation has been designed to reflect the heritage of the former White House Cone and tunnels – by showcasing where the original cone stood.

Museum manager Alexander Goodger said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Simworx, who are the world leaders in motion simulation technology, and I am sure our visitors and the local community will love the amazing lighting structure they have created.”

The project has transformed the attraction, on the old Stuart Crystal site at Camp Hill, which is now home to the renowned Stourbridge Glass Collection. Graham Knowles, chairperson of the British Glass Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding from FCC Communities Foundation and extremely grateful to them for their support.”

Richard Smith, FCC Communities Foundation grant manager, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the British Glass Foundation and pleased our funding will benefit so many people across the area.

“FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that improve local communities and we are delighted with the transformation this project has made for the local community.”

The museum was formally opened by HRH the Duke of Gloucester on April 19.