The MLC Experience, a museum and learning centre at the Brightside County Ground in Bristol, officially opened to celebrate the rich history of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (GCCC) while serving as a community education hub.
Founded by Rex Body, Wendy Body, and Roger Gibbons, the facility was brought to life through a close partnership with the GCCC Heritage Trust and Bristol-based exhibition specialists Clip UK.
The Vision and Mission
The GCCC Heritage Trust, an independent registered charity, was established to establish, fund, and maintain the facility. Its primary mission is to advance public education regarding the club’s heritage and create an engaging, accessible space for all visitors.
The MLC Experience was designed to connect with a diverse audience, including:
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School Visits: Engaging local primary school groups through structured educational visits.
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Community Initiatives: Supporting projects such as Sporting Memories, which uses sports heritage to help combat dementia, depression, and loneliness.
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General Visitors: Offering free admission to cricket enthusiasts and the general public on all match days, as well as opening by appointment.
Concept to Completion: How Clip Brought the Museum to Life
Appointed to translate initial ideas into a fully realized physical space, Clip worked alongside the Heritage Trust over several months to develop and manufacture custom display solutions:
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Interactive Models: Life-size, interactive figures of legendary Gloucestershire cricketers.
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Custom Display Cabinets: Presentation units engineered to showcase signed memorabilia and historical artifacts safely.
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Historical WW1 Honours Board: A dedicated memorial honoring Gloucestershire cricketers who lost their lives during World War I.
High-Profile Opening Ceremony
The official opening was performed by former England cricketer and Gloucestershire captain Mark Alleyne MBE. The ceremony was attended by prominent civic and sporting figures, including the Lord Mayor of Bristol, the High Sheriff of Bristol, and Giles Clarke CBE, former Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
“I cannot praise Clip too highly. What they have done is to take our fledgling ideas and early concepts and just run with it. They have made our vision a reality—it simply would not have happened without the whole team at Clip.”
— Wendy Body, Secretary and Trustee, GCCC Heritage Trust
Project Management and Exhibition Design with Clip UK
From local community heritage projects to large-scale international trade shows, Clip UK delivers complete, end-to-end design, manufacturing, and installation services.
Contact our specialist design team today to discuss how we can bring your creative vision to life.