I am writing on behalf of the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology to ask to be considered for a 2023 Grant to replace the glazing on our display cases. 

As I’m sure you are aware, the Ure Museum in its current form has been an integral part of the Whiteknights Campus since it was built in 1957. The Museum is open to the public, and is regularly visited by both locals and tourists, offering them a chance to immerse themselves in the ancient world and for the University to engage with them. The Museum is also visited throughout the year by school groups who are eager to learn more about the Classical world, but also about the workings of a university. The Ure Museum is fundamental to university students, too, as the museum is embedded within Classics and Museum Studies modules, providing volunteering opportunities for students, also in other departments, residents of Reading and scholars/students/visitors from farther afield. 

The exhibition is still in the original 1950s cases, and, while they still provide a fantastic space to display our collections (which include the fourth largest collection of ancient Greek vases in the UK), the glazing on them is now problematic. The glass fronts of our cases were previously covered with a safety film to conform to British Standards, but the film on all of the cases is deteriorating as this was done over 20 years ago, so that in the very near future it will not meet safety standards. Over the last 60 years chips and scratches have accumulated on the glass, while the tracks in which it sits are warping and the aged locking mechanisms and associated keys are at risk of breaking in the locks.  The gap between the glass doors also means that dust and pests can get into the cases, which is a significant conservation issue.  

Unless we can replace the glass there is a real risk that eventually we will have to close to the public and students, in light of the significant and growing risk of glass breakage. Ideally, we would replace all the glass at once but if not, enough funding is available immediately, we could prioritise the cases most at risk. 

In consultation with the UMASCS conservator, Fred van der Geer, we acquired a quote from a local firm, Somerville Glass, for the replacement of the glazing, tracks, locks and fitting of a dust seal with low-iron glass.  

The quote is: £2,195 (ex VAT) per display case. This is for the large cases around the perimeter of the museum of which there are eight. There will be a 10 per cent discount if all eight are done simultaneously: £15,804 (ex VAT).   

We appreciate that the cost of replacing just one case is quite high, but we feel the benefit that the Ure Museum brings to the university and wider community makes it worthy of a Grant from the Friends of the University. With many thanks for your consideration, 

Yours sincerely,

Jayne Holly  

Assistant Curator