Latest news with #BigPit
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Big Pit charging mine admission is 'wrong'
It is wrong to charge people to enter the Big Pit National Coal Museum, a Senedd report museum in Blaenavon, Torfaen, has started charging £8 per person, with some concessions, on a trial basis until July the culture and sport committee says access should remain free on principle and not be a luxury for those who can afford it, calling for better funding for Welsh museums so collections remain free for Welsh government said it was committed to keeping entry to all seven museum sites free, as well as to the national collections, and would consider the report's findings. Tours of Big Pit, one of Amgueddfa Cymru's seven museums, are led by former miners and explore original mine shafts and museums.A sign outside the entrance now states: "Due to financial pressures and funding cuts, from 5 April we will be charging for the underground tour." But Delyth Jewell MS, chair of the Senedd's culture and sports committee, said the tours are "a fundamental part of our national collections, they are part of our national story, and that shouldn't be limiting if people can't afford to access them".The report says the Welsh government has "not fulfilled its responsibility in funding museums adequately", citing a 17% cut in real terms to funding for culture and sport in Wales in the last decade. "We appreciate that it is expensive for Amgueddfa Cymru to provide access to the underground workings at Big Pit," it says."However, we think this is an argument for the Welsh government to provide an adequate level of funding, not for Amgueddfa Cymru to charge for access." Visitors gave a mixed response to the charge, with Deborah Clubb from Merthyr Tydfil saying: "I think [the fee] would make it something that I wouldn't visit as often, definitely, because it was always a free attraction before and something that you could do as a family without thinking about."Mother-of-six Amy Hughes, from Aberdare, said she took the underground tour several times when it was free. She said: "[The admission fee] does make me not want to take all my kids down there but I do feel it's such good value to be able to go underground and see an actual mine."It would be good if they did a family ticket." Savannah Knox, visiting from Southern Ontario, said she didn't mind paying because she is used to doing that back home in said: "If it's historical or a museum it's usually charged. It helps with the upkeep, right?"Showing her around Wales was Lauren Price from Risca, who said she didn't mind paying the fee "if the money's going back into keeping it up and going". Amgueddfa Cymru said the Big Pit experience extends "far beyond" the underground tour, and the rest of the site remains free. It said it looks forward to continuing working with the Welsh government as they consider the report's findings.
South Wales Argus
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Big Pit National Coal Museum shop and reception transformed
Visitors to the Blaenavon museum will now have their mining experience extended as they will see the underground mine reflected in the venue's shop and reception area. Guests' underground experience will continue in the shop as rafters and curved shop fixtures have been installed alongside miners' lamps to match the underground tour at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also original items on display that would be seen underground including coal drams, pressure clocks, tools and equipment. The atmosphere has also had a revamp, with an evocative soundscape - created by sound designer and artist Guy Veale - featuring a wide variety of industrial sounds and songs from the Blaenavon Male Voice choir. The actual shopping experience has been enhanced too as visitors will also be able to browse more than 200 new bespoke and exclusive products. All of the products have been inspired by the collection at Big Pit with many created by local makers and suppliers. Catherine Pinkerton, Amgueddfa Cymru's group retail manager, said: "What we wanted to do was enhance and expand on the visitor experience by bringing every element of being underground to our new retail area. "There are so many hidden gems and stories for visitors to explore within the space, such as the immersive soundscape. "We're so pleased to be officially opening the redevelopment for visitors to enjoy." All of the revenue from the shops goes to Amgueddfa Cymru to be able to continue sharing the national collection and Wales' story with the public.
