High Sheriff visits The World of Glass to mark reopening

The Chalon Way attraction opened its doors to the public on Saturday following a seven-month closure.

St Helens Library, which is based in the building, opened in August.

Ron Helsby, executive director at The World of Glass, said he is “absolutely elated” to be back open.

The World of Glass also received news on Saturday that it has been awarded £200,808 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF).

Ron said this funding will help The World of Glass make it through the winter months, which are expected to be especially difficult.

“I think the arts community felt that nobody was doing anything for them,” Ron said.

“We’ve seen theatres close, we’ve seen galleries, museums all close down.

“And we knew this funding was coming available. What that is going to do for us is going to be invaluable.

“It’ll just help us to get through the next six months, the winter months when it’s probably going to be the hardest of us, and we’re going to rely on our visitors.

“That just gives us a bit of a cushion to maybe get through to March and hopefully take us through to next year when hopefully, Covid will be a little bit more contained and we’ll be able to look at a brighter future.

“It’s certainly an asset to everything that we do.”

The World of Glass has updated its exhibition during lockdown

To mark the official reopening, The World of Glass invited his Honour John Roberts DL, who took up the role of High Sheriff for Merseyside in April.

The former crown court judge was chosen for the role, which dates back more than 1,000 years, by the Queen in her capacity as Duke of Lancaster.

The High Sheriff and his wife Mary were given a private tour of the attraction’s refreshed exhibition space by Ron and the new visitor centre manager, Emma Lloyd.

The trip was the first time the High Sheriff has visited St Helens since taking up the role, but has had links with the town.

“My first connection with St Helens was as a schoolboy,” his Honour John Roberts told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“I used to come and play rugby against Cowley grammar school.

“They tended to win as they were always very good. I used to come to court and a young barrister, which I always enjoyed. I used to have lunch at the old Fleece Hotel.

“I had the good fortune of going to watch Saints play against Wigan last season in a most extraordinary game of rugby. I enjoyed that very much.

“I have been to The World of Glass before. It’s a great asset and something of which I am sure this town is very proud of.”

The High Sheriff of Merseyside, his Honour John Roberts DL, visited The World of Glass

The High Sheriff admitted he does fear the impact of Covid-19 on the local economies in the North, but said he is confident cities and towns like St Helens can “bounce back”.

He said: “I’m not a political animal but just thinking about it generally, I am concerned about the local economies.

“But having said that, the city of Liverpool is my city and it’s always been a vibrant place, an innovative place and I feel confident that although there will be difficulties, it will bounce back as other great cities like Manchester and towns such as St Helens.

“Overall I am confident, but it’s not without its worries.”