Humber museums report strong start to the year

Museum and gallery chiefs across the Humber region have reported increased visitor numbers over the February half term break, providing a strong foundation for growth as a series of World War I events prepares to launch across the East Riding,Hull and North Lincolnshire.

Members of the Joining Up the Humber Museums (JUTHM) initiative – an Arts Council funded project – are reporting an almost universal increase in visitor traffic at all the sites that were open during the February half term, with especially strong performances from Hull’s museums and galleries, which enjoyed a 49% increase in visitors during the week of February half term during 2014 compared to 2013.

“This is an incredibly positive start to 2014, with the first major school holiday seeing a substantial increase in the number of visitors, not only to Hull – which could be due in part to its successful City of Culture bid – but also just across the Humber Bridge, with the North Lincolnshire Museum, which was recently voted one of the top 20 free attractions to visit in the UK by the Guardian newspaper, up by 13%,” comments Simon Green, Assistant Head of Sports, Leisure & Heritage with Hull City Council.  “Our programme of World War I themed events, exhibitions and activities launches at Easter, and with so many new things to see and do throughout the year, from a new permanent gallery highlighting Normanby Hall at War opening for Easter, to a First World War exhibition at Beverley Guildhall running from June to November, we believe that there has never been a better time to explore the history of our region – for residents and visitors alike.”

Indeed, one of the aims of the Joining Up the Humber Museums project is to encourage visitors who have enjoyed one of the 18 attractions within the group to travel to others within the group to explore different aspect of the Humber region’s World War I heritage, particularly looking at how people living there were affected by the outbreak of war.

For more details, please visit www.joiningupthehumber.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Joining Up the Humber Museums is supported by a £1 million grant from Arts Council England.  The initiative runs until 2015, and will support commemorations of the centenary of the First World War in the Humber region.  The money will be used to improve galleries and facilities across the three council's services in preparation for exhibitions in 2014 and beyond, including the opening up of Georgian Houses, part of Wilberforce House in Hull.

There will also be funding made available to engage with a number of additional partners from the region who wish to engage with WWI centenary projects, including opportunities for volunteering, education and other outreach projects.

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel: 01904 500698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk