THE Rotary Club of Brierley Hill and Kingswinford has donated a treasured piece of glass worth aorund £10,000 to Broadfield House Glass Museum.
Frederick Carder’s ‘Triton and Horses’ piece was given to the club in 1958 after they held an event in his honour.
The renowned glass artist was born in Brierley Hill in 1863 and he worked in the borough before emigrating to America, where he co-founded New York’s esteemed Steuben Glass Company.
But the Rotary club, which has been going for more than 70 years, has disbanded due to lack of members so it was decided the historic piece should be handed over to the Kingswinford museum which boasts a number of precious Carder glass items.
The carefully-crafted sculpture was presented to the museum at an event attended by the Mayor of Dudley, councillor Michael Evans, on Tuesday June 14.
Councillor David Stanley, Dudley’s cabinet member for environment and culture, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club for their generous donation to our glass collection, it is a wonderful addition.
“Frederick Carder is very highly regarded in the USA, where he spent the majority of his working life, and this donation will help to ensure that his work and achievements are not forgotten.”
The Rotary club was founded in 1938 by members of the community keen to devote time to fundraising. Back in the 80s it boasted around 50 members but in recent times membership had dwindled to around 11.
Remaining members, however, plan to continue their charitable efforts by joining other Rotary clubs nearby.
Broadfield House Glass Museum in Compton Drive is open free of charge from Tuesday to Sunday, from noon to 4pm.
Call 01384 812745 or go to www.glassmuseum.org.uk for more details.
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