The National Waterways Museum Gloucester Docks was officially re-launched today, Friday 23 May, by Parmjit Dhanda MP.

In front of an invited audience which included the Mayor of Gloucester and children from Hempsted Primary School, Parmjit unveiled the new Water Lives exhibition.

The museum, which has been closed since November for refurbishment, re-opens to the public at 10am Saturday 24 May 2008 in time for the school holidays.

At the event Roger Hanbury Chief Executive of The Waterways Trust, the national charity that operates the National Waterways Museum, noted the museum’s presence at the heart of the regeneration of the Docks and Gloucester Quays, stating that re-opening of the museum was taking place at an important time for the Docks.

Roger said: “From this vantage point we want to provide a hub for visitors to Gloucester Docks, a place where people can get their bearings and understand the history of the docks, spend time with their families discovering the waterways, and experience the canal and river with a boat trip and of course find refreshment in the café.”

As he cut the ribbon to re-open the revitalised museum, Parmjit Dhanda MP said: “I am delighted that out of a period of change has come a renewed museum ready to meet the needs of visitors now and into the future. Situated in the heart of the Docks, the museum is a focal point in the regeneration of the area.

“The developments surrounding us mirror the regeneration which is taking place along the nation’s waterways, across the country which is now worth an estimated £19 billion.

“Restoration and regeneration of our waterways is helping to create vibrant communities in urban and rural areas. And a living, lively National Waterways Museum can help realise the social, educational, economic and environmental benefits of this regeneration by bringing people back to the Docks.”

Water Lives tells the story of those who have lived, travelled and worked on Britain’s changing waterways and has been designed specifically to appeal to today’s family audience.

Four new exciting galleries give visitors an insight into what it would have been like to live and work on the 3,000 miles of canals and rivers that criss-cross the nation.

With a collection that spans from the 18th century to the present day, the new galleries draw on the experiences of real people creating a clear and easy to follow narrative which flows through the museum.

Vibrant graphics and stimulating displays specially designed to appeal to children also help to bring this fascinating story to life.

From the new reception and shop area, visitors make their way to two new galleries.

The Ecology Gallery is devoted to the wildlife and ecology that can be found along our canals and rivers. This area unveils a whole world of wildlife that lives on and in our inland waterways.

‘Move It’, a totally redesigned interactive space that explains how the canals were built and operated and how the engineering pioneers of their day overcame the technological difficulties to create a national transport network on water.

From the ground floor galleries visitors can access the external display areas and floating exhibits.  On the first floor the museum opens up to reveal a newly created series of displays, each continuing the narrative of how people worked, moved and lived on the waterways.

A separate display area on the first floor is devoted to local stories – real life accounts and experiences bring Gloucester’ rich heritage to life.

Funding for the refurbishment has been provided by Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company, British Waterways and the Friends of the National Waterways Museum.

The National Waterways Museum Gloucester Docks re-opens to the public on Saturday 24 May at 10am.

Ticket prices which have been substantially reduced are: Adult - £ £3.95; Senior Citizens & concessions - £3.50; Children - £2.75; Family - £12; under 5’s – Free.