December 13, 1999
For further information/photography contact:
| Lisa Cross/Emma Jeffs | Paul Mainds |
| Marbles | River & Rowing Museum |
| +44 (0)1491 411789 | +44 (0)1491 415615 |
Email: lcross@marbles.co.uk
EMBARGOED UNTIL MIDDAY, DECEMBER 14
RIVER & ROWING MUSEUM WINS COMMENDATION FOR "EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSEUM ACTIVITY"
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will today present the River & Rowing Museum with a commendation at the Gulbenkian Awards for Museums and Galleries. The museum has been highly commended in the main category – The Gulbenkian Prize – which recognises exceptional achievement by a museum or gallery.
The ceremony will take place at the National Gallery in London and Martyn Arbib, deputy chairman of trustees of the River & Rowing Museum will receive the commendation on the museum's behalf.
The Awards are organised by the Museums Association and sponsored by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Their aim is to reward the dedication, professionalism and hard work carried out by thousands of people within the museum community in the area of public services. The first scheme of its kind, the Awards celebrate their tenth anniversary this year and remain focussed and true to their original principles - "not how much money you've got, but how and on what you spend it" - as one of the first recipients said in 1989.
The River & Rowing Museum received the award after highlighting its progression from concept to reality in the five years before Her Majesty The Queen opened the museum officially in November 1998.
"This is one of the most prestigious competitions for museums and we are delighted to be recognised for our work," said Paul Mainds, chief executive of the River & Rowing Museum. "1999 has been a marvellous year for the museum in terms of our development and because of the awards we have won, and this is a great way to end the year."
About the River and Rowing Museum
The museum celebrates three themes: the past, present and future of the River Thames, the historic riverside community of Henley-on-Thames and the international sport of rowing. Since it opened to the public in August 1998, the museum has received numerous awards for its design and architecture, including the National Heritage/NPI 1999 Museum of the Year award.
It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. (10:30 a.m. Saturdays/Sundays) until 5:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. in the summer). Admission prices: £4.95 for adults; £3.75 for children, senior citizens, the disabled and the unemployed; and £13.95 for a family ticket for four. Free parking is available for visitors. More information can be obtained by calling 01491 415619 or by visiting the museum's website: www.rrm.co.uk