Press Releases

Big pit Congratulates Gulbenkian Winner

Big Pit: National Coal Museum, winner of the 2005 Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year, has sent its warmest wishes to the winner of this year's prestigious award, Brunel's ss Great Britain in Bristol.

Speaking after the announcement of this year's winner, Big Pit's Mine Manager and Keeper said:

"Winning the Gulbenkian Prize was a great experience for us at Big Pit – it's known as the Oscars of the museum world, and to have succeeded in the competition last year was a fantastic achievement, not only for all of us at Big Pit itself, but for Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales as a whole.

"My only advice to this year's winners is to make the most of it. Enjoy every minute of the next year. It'll be busier than ever, and use the opportunity to build on your success. However, I think that the best – and most important piece of advice is to enjoy it. If ss Great Britain have half as much fun as we did at Big Pit, then it's going to be a great year for them."

Plans are well underway at Big Pit to spend the £100,000 prize money they received last year.

"We're working on plans for a learning annex at the museum," explained Peter Walker.

"We want to add to the existing space we have available for displays, and are keen to provide new learning spaces and experiences for our visitors. Attracting new audiences is a big part of what we're trying to achieve here at Big Pit, and I believe that a development like this will be invaluable to us in our work. This exciting project would not be possible without the Gulbenkian prize money, but we are also looking for additional support for the project, so please get in touch with us at Big Pit if you'd like to be involved," he added.

Big Pit is one of seven museums across Wales administered by Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. The others are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales celebrates its centenary in 2007. For more details, visit the .

Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Notes to Editors

For further details contact:

Kathryn Stowers, Communications Officer, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
Tel: 01495 790311. Mob: 07970 017210
Email Kathryn Stowers

Big Pit is open every day 9.30am – 5pm. Underground tours run frequently 10am – 3.30pm. Children must be one metre tall to go underground.