Author: IT Team

  • Burnt Tree Junction Works Starting 10 November 2025

    Burnt Tree Junction Works Starting 10 November 2025

    From Monday 10 November 2025, essential highway improvement works will begin at Burnt Tree Junction, on the border of Dudley and Sandwell. These works form part of the Cross City Bus Improvement Scheme, which aims to improve journey times and create safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists across the West Midlands.

    What’s Happening. See more information in this leaflet. 

    – Lane closures and temporary traffic lights at the A4123 and A461 junction.
    – Works will take place in phases over nine months, continuing into summer 2026.
    – Expect changes to road layouts, bus stops, and routes during this period.

    For Motorists

    Please avoid Burnt Tree Junction where possible.
    Consider alternative routes via Tipton, Oldbury, or West Bromwich, or use the motorway for longer journeys.

    For Bus Users

    Please allow extra time and check your journey before you travel.
    Route 126 is diverted, 74 has a change to service, and 87 has a revised timetable.
    Plan your journey and allow extra time at: journeyplanner.tfwm.org.uk
    For the latest updates, please visit: www.tfwm.org.uk

    Travel Advice
    Plan ahead: Journey times may be longer than usual.

    Consider alternative routes: Avoid travelling near Burnt Tree where possible.

    Public transport: Some bus routes will be affected – 126 diverted, 74 and 87 adjusted.

    Travel outside peak hours: If possible, avoid 07am–09am and 14pm–16pm during term time.

    Cycle or walk: For short local trips, consider walking or cycling.

     

  • 🍪Cookie Making Class at Café Black Country🍪 – Cancelled

    🍪Cookie Making Class at Café Black Country🍪 – Cancelled

    Unfortunately, the Cookie-Making Session with Josh and the Wellbeing Team, scheduled for Thursday 6 November 2025, has been cancelled.

    We’re sorry for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause. We hope to reschedule a similar activity soon and will share new details as soon as they’re confirmed.

    Thank you for your understanding.

  • Programme overview – Remembrance Day

    Programme overview – Remembrance Day

    Dates:

    Sunday 9 November 2025

    Locations:

    Starts at 10.45am at the war memorial in the 1940s – 1960s High Street. Following the two minutes silence and readings, there will be a short service in the chapel in the village about 11.20am.

    (IT) will provide a phone and amp to play the last post at 11am followed by a silence of 2 minutes ending with the Reveille.

    Site theme: Special remembrance event.

    Please see the context sheet.

    Contact: Sheila Chamberlain-Hyett (Programming).

  • A huge well done to Lisa, Melanie, Diane!

    A huge well done to Lisa, Melanie, Diane!

    A huge well done to Lisa, Melanie, Diane, and Lisa’s partner, who proudly represented the museum in the Walk for Wellbeing on Sunday 17 October.

    The event, organised by Hospitality Action, involved a 12-mile walk, which they all completed, raising over £200 for a great cause supporting the hospitality community.

    Thank you to the whole team for your effort, enthusiasm, and commitment.

  • People News – October 2025

    People News – October 2025

    People news October 2025

    Welcomes

    In October we welcomed several new colleagues to the Museum;

    A number of casual Historic Characters, Admissions Team Members and Enterprise Team Members have joined our front-facing teams.

    We’ve also had 2 new Heritage Transport Drivers join us this month.

    If you see our new colleagues around on site, please do say hello and give them a warm welcome.

    Other News

    Tony Aldridge has been successfully appointed as Car Park Supervisor.

    The following colleagues were successful in gaining contracted employment within the Enterprise Team: Demi Liston, Nada Adrwish, Joseph Robinson, Lindsey Wright, and Myfanwy Smith.

    Farewells

    Earlier this month, we bid farewell to Donna Cooper and Katie Parkes, Historic Character Team Managers, who have both accepted full-time positions elsewhere. We wish them all the best in their new roles.

    Chloe Taylor left her position as Collections Manager at the end of September. Whilst Chloe’s expertise and good humour will be missed around the office, we all wish her every success with her future endeavours.

    We thank everyone for their support during their time with us.

  • Dog Days – New Trial Starting Thursday 6 November

    Dog Days – New Trial Starting Thursday 6 November

    From Thursday 6 November, we will be trialling allowing visitors to bring their dogs to the Museum on Thursdays and Sundays only.

    Here’s a round up of everything you need to know:

    • The trial will cover Thursdays and Sundays from Thursday 6 November to Sunday 4 January. All other days of the week will continue to be no dogs (with the exception of Guide dogs and assistance dogs). Dogs are not permitted at events.
    • Dogs will not be permitted to enter any Museum buildings except the Visitor Centre and the Workers’ Institute Café (excluding Guide and assistance dogs – permitted to enter all buildings).
    • Amenities will be provided as follows:
      • Water bowls will be located outside the Visitor Centre (front), Drift Mine, Langer’s Army & Navy Stores (side), Workers’ Institute & Cafe (courtyard), Bottle & Glass Inn (yard)
      • Dog poo bins will be located at the following places:
        • The side of the wooden bins in the Workers’ Institute Courtyard
        • Fence at the colliery
        • Side of the wooden bin in Folkes Park
        • Front wall at Brook Entrance
    • Dogs are permitted on transport, at the conductors’ discretion, and not on seats. On double decker buses, dogs are permitted on the lower deck only.
    • School parties who have booked to visit us on Thursdays between these dates have been informed about the change.
    • Our friends at Dudley Canal and Caverns are unable to accommodate dogs on their boat trips throughout the trial (with the exception of Guide or assistance dogs).

    Following this trial, the Museum will evaluate how the trial went. Depending on the outcome, we will then consider doing another trial, making the change permanent, or moving back to a no-dogs policy.

     

    Full terms and conditions have been prepared for all visitors to follow, along with a web page which cites our “Canine Code”. This emphasises the following points clearly:

    1. Dogs must be kept on a short, non-retractable lead, supervised and under control at all times. Our admissions team will operate a free lead-swap scheme for those that turn up with an unsuitable lead.
    2. Visitors must clean up after their dog – bins are provided across the Museum.
    3. Dogs cannot enter museum buildings, except for the Visitor Centre and the Workers’ Institute Cafe.
    4. Dogs are permitted to enter the fairground but cannot go on any ride.
    5. Dogs must not enter the playing area at Folkes Park. Signage will be in place on Dog Days, given this is the only outdoor location of the Museum that dogs cannot enter.
    6. Dogs must not enter the canal or any other body of water on site.
    7. Generally, dogs are permitted on the lower levels of historic transport (not on seats) at the conductor’s discretion.

    Visitors will also be advised about the following best-practise when near the Museum’s animals:

    1. Always keep dogs on a short lead and close control when near animals.
    2. Do not approach horses with a dog when they are out on site or in their paddock.
    3. Cross the road or give wide berth if animals are near the path.

    If you are concerned about the behaviour of a dog on site, or witness any misconduct or damage caused by a dog, please inform the duty manager who will engage with the dog owner as appropriate.

  • Tickets available for Black Country History Conference

    Tickets available for Black Country History Conference

    We have a limited number of tickets available for colleagues who would like to attend Black Country History Conference at the Museum on Saturday 8 November.

    This year’s one-day conference is titled “After Agenoria: Aspects of the Railway Revolution in the Black Country.”

    To find out more about the event, visit our website.

    You can view the full programme here.

    If you’d like to attend, please get in touch with the Ticketing Team.

  • Halloween Nights – programme overview

    Halloween Nights – programme overview

    Date and times:

    Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th, Thursday 30th & Friday 31st October

    Programme concept:

    It’s spooky season and we’re inviting ghouls, ghosts and guests to Black Country Living Museum to celebrate the scariest night of the year! This is a family friendly event with something for all the family to enjoy across our themed zones:

    • Mine scare experience – A free flowing interactive scare experience (suitable for visitors 10+)
    • Witches houses – Visit one or all of the 3 houses to meet our spooky yet friendly witches; find our what potions they’re brewing (witches with cauldrons in Jerushah, Toll & Pits)
    • Spooky factory fun – Rose Events Interactive Tiny Circus & Rhythmic Unity Fire Show, alternating.
    • Haunted House – A walk through Frankenstein experience
    • SciFi Street – Daleks, Doctor Who characters and Frankenstein show in the Town. Fancy dress parade will also culminate here.
    • Creepy creatures – Nature’s Burrow Animal Show (in school)
    • Trick or treat party village – U.V Disco in W.I and trick or treating down OBR, the village and station Road with street entertainment interspersed.

    *There will also be roaming cosplayers, circus performers and musicians across site.

    **The Boat Dock will not be open.

    Link to map / activity trail.

    Please see the programme context sheet.

    Contact: [email protected] (Programme) [email protected] (Event)

  • Halloween Nights – programme overview

    Halloween Nights – programme overview

    Date and times:

    Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th, Thursday 30th & Friday 31st October

    Programme concept:

    It’s spooky season and we’re inviting ghouls, ghosts and guests to Black Country Living Museum to celebrate the scariest night of the year! This is a family friendly event with something for all the family to enjoy across our themed zones:

    • Mine scare experience – A free flowing interactive scare experience (suitable for visitors 10+)
    • Witches houses – Visit one or all of the 3 houses to meet our spooky yet friendly witches; find our what potions they’re brewing (witches with cauldrons in Jerushah, Toll & Pits)
    • Spooky factory fun – Rose Events Interactive Tiny Circus & Rhythmic Unity Fire Show, alternating.
    • Haunted House – A walk through Frankenstein experience
    • SciFi Street – Daleks, Doctor Who characters and Frankenstein show in the Town. Fancy dress parade will also culminate here.
    • Creepy creatures – Nature’s Burrow Animal Show (in school)
    • Trick or treat party village – U.V Disco in W.I and trick or treating down OBR, the village and station Road with street entertainment interspersed.

    *There will also be roaming cosplayers, circus performers and musicians across site.

    **The Boat Dock will not be open.

    Link to map / activity trail.

    Please see the programme context sheet.

    Contact: [email protected] (Programme) [email protected] (Event)

  • Halloween Nights – programme overview

    Halloween Nights – programme overview

    Date and times:

    Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th, Thursday 30th & Friday 31st October

    Programme concept:

    It’s spooky season and we’re inviting ghouls, ghosts and guests to Black Country Living Museum to celebrate the scariest night of the year! This is a family friendly event with something for all the family to enjoy across our themed zones:

    • Mine scare experience – A free flowing interactive scare experience (suitable for visitors 10+)
    • Witches houses – Visit one or all of the 3 houses to meet our spooky yet friendly witches; find our what potions they’re brewing (witches with cauldrons in Jerushah, Toll & Pits)
    • Spooky factory fun – Rose Events Interactive Tiny Circus & Rhythmic Unity Fire Show, alternating.
    • Haunted House – A walk through Frankenstein experience
    • SciFi Street – Daleks, Doctor Who characters and Frankenstein show in the Town. Fancy dress parade will also culminate here.
    • Creepy creatures – Nature’s Burrow Animal Show (in school)
    • Trick or treat party village – U.V Disco in W.I and trick or treating down OBR, the village and station Road with street entertainment interspersed.

    *There will also be roaming cosplayers, circus performers and musicians across site.

    **The Boat Dock will not be open.

    Link to map / activity trail.

    Please see the programme context sheet.

    Contact: [email protected] (Programme) [email protected] (Event)