Cone open for visitors
There is a packed programme of summer activities at the Red House Glass Cone despite major restoration work.
Dudley Council is investing £1.5million to cover the cost of the restoration and ongoing maintenance at the site.
The historic visitor attraction remains open throughout the work and there is lots going on for families over the next six weeks. It includes a kids trail themed around the restoration work, glass fusing sessions, arts and crafts in the style of famous artists and a Sorcery School.
Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of the council, said:
The Red House Glass Cone is one of our most precious historic attractions and we are investing heavily in preserving it for future generations. It’s important we keep the Cone open as much as we can during the summer holidays because we know children and families love it here. There’s lots going on and I urge people to find out more online.”
There are details of a full range of workshops and activities on the Red House Glass Cone Facebook page including glass fusing on July 24, In the style of Van Gogh on July 28, Red House School of Sorcery on August 2 and many more. The sessions are repeated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout July and August on different themes.
As a Grade II* listed, scheduled ancient monument, the council has worked with an accredited historic architect and Historic England to secure the appropriate permission to begin the sensitive works. The authority is bound within these to restore the cone using authentic techniques and materials to remain true to the cone’s history.
Work will include internal and external repointing of the entire structure from top to bottom with authentic lime mortar. Vegetation sprouting from the cone will be carefully removed on a phased basis. Bricks surrounding each growth will be removed, the vegetation and root growth removed before the bricks are replaced and re-mortared. It is expected to take 18 months to complete the work.