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  • Rationalisation of the Tram Collection

    In considering the future requirements of the Museum to operate trams and the proposed extension of the tramway, the Museum Board, in line with the Museum’s Collections Development Policy, has approved the deaccessioning of the four tram bodies under tarpaulins by the Albion Depot:

    1. Cable Tram (1975/014/001) – Birmingham Central Tramways cable car, built by Falcon works, Loughborough, 1888. Thought to be the only surviving example of its type, the grounded tram body is in very poor condition. The National Tramway Museum, Crich, has agreed to accept the transfer of this important tram to their collection.

    The following trams will be offered to other museums, in line with the Museums Association Code of Ethics:

    1. Tram 75 (1975/016/002) – Dudley Stourbridge & District, single-deck car, built in Tividale, 1919. Similar to 5 & 34.
    1. Tram 102 (1984/466/002) – Dudley Stourbridge & District, single-deck car, built in Tividale, 1920. Similar to 5 & 34. 
    1. Tram 361 (1998/036/001) – Built by J Stephenson Co, New York, single-deck Tram No,361 was delivered to the Lisbon Tramway Network (Rede de eléctricos de Lisboa, Portugal) in Heavily rebuilt in 1947-49 and again in 1959-61, it survived in service in Lisbon, Portugal until the mid-1990s.

    All the vehicles are in poor condition and do not offer any useful spares, either for repurposing on our operational fleet or for research purposes. In addition, the Cable Tram and 361 fall outside of the Collections Development Policy (Section 4.3), which requires collections to have a reputable and clear Black Country provenance.

  • Director’s Bimonthly Report – September 2018

    You will now be able to find the Director’s Bi-monthly report for September 2018 here: Director’s Bi-monthly Report 28-09-17. This and previous reports are kept in the Intranet documents tab at the top of the page. This report briefs the board on notable progress under the Museum’s six strategic aims including:

    • Develop our distinctiveness and brand
    • Safeguard, enrich and use our collections
    • Transform the visitor journey
    • Increase visitor attendance
    • Achieve national and international impact
    • Grow and diversify our income

     

  • Staffing Restructure Proposal – Retail & Admissions, Hire & Hospitality and Development

    Background

    Securing funding for BCLM: Forging Ahead, coupled with the continued growth of the Museum’s visitor and support/donor base has resulted in the need to review and propose a restructure in three areas of the Museum’s operation.  The purpose of this proposed restructure is to improve results by providing the capacity and skills within the Museum teams to develop long-term relationships with visitors, supporters, donors, customers and corporate organisations.

    The proposals, outlined here, would establish a staff structure to enable the Museum to continue to grow audience engagement and secure the financial support to enable BCLM: Forging Ahead to be achieved in full.

    The Proposals

    The roles and responsibilities of the teams and functions, as well as those that they interact with, have been reviewed by the Leadership Team, and the Head of Retail & Admissions and General Manager (Food & Drink).

    As a result of this review the following is proposed:

    • Introduction of new staff structures for Retail & Admissions and Development.
    • Some changes to responsibilities and functions.

    The proposals, if adopted, would place the following roles at risk of redundancy:

    • Hire & Hospitality Sales Manager
    • Development Manager (Individuals & Corporate)
    • Team Managers, Retail & Admissions (x2 posts)

    Objectives

    In summary, the proposals are designed to have the following impacts on the Museum:

    (a)        Enhanced customer service, through a more customer focused and centralised function for visitor enquiries, bookings and Museum membership.

    (b)        Improved, long-term, financially-beneficial relationships with businesses.

    (c)        Improved levels of financial and in-kind backing from supporters and donors.

    (d)        Enhanced marketing and cross-promotions due to improved market and customer intelligence.

    (e)        Improved retail results through better retail management and product development for the Museum Shops and the ability to grow onsite retail opportunities.

    Consultation Process and Timetable

    Initial individual meetings have taken place with staff whose posts are at risk of redundancy and the proposals have also been shared with the Staff Consultative Forum.

    We are now releasing them to staff for a four week period for information sharing, consultation and to respond to requests for clarification. You can find hard copies of the proposal document, including proposed structures, functions, responsibilities and further details in the following communal staff areas:

    • Rolfe St office noticeboard
    • The Guide Hut noticeboard
    • Staff room above Emile Doo’s Chemist

    Concurrently, internal and external recruitment and assimilation exercises will be taking place alongside any external recruitment activity as required, in-line with best practice and the Museum’s statutory obligations, under the guidance of the Museum’s Head of Human Resource Development.

    The proposed new roles will be advertised across a range of external sources and on the BCLM website and staff intranet. Staff who wish to apply may obtain copies of application forms and job profiles from the Visitor Reception.

    No appointments will be made until the period of consultation has come to an end on 6 November. The consultation period may be extended if there are alternatives proposed which may require further investigation.

  • Peaky Blinders’ Nights – What a Performance!

    Peaky Blinders’ Nights – What a Performance!

    With ticket sales of over 8,000 across the four nights and trading income considerably ahead of budget, this year’s Peaky Blinders’ Nights proved popular than ever and that’s undoubtedly down to such a truly phenomenal staff effort.

    As one Peaky fan put it:

    We are big fans of the show and were blown away by the effort put into this event, right down to the small details.

    There’s no doubt that four nights across two weeks is incredibly tough on staff and so it really is a huge thanks to everyone that played a part in making each of these nights such a blinder!

  • Sara Orlandi – British Museum Work Exchange

    Last week we welcomed Sara Orlandi into the Development Team for the British Museum’s Work Exchange programme.

    Sara is the Gifts & Donor Support Manager for the British Museum and was here to look at how we work with data for our members, how we use that data (especially direct debit data) and processes related to that data. She’s also been looking out how we plan to deal with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) which comes into effect from 25 May 2018.

    “It’s been really interesting to experience another type of organisation,” says Sara. “Especially because the Museum is self-financing which is something the British Museum is working towards but haven’t quite yet realised, so there is much to be learned.”

    Sara says she has been impressed with the work we do here with a relatively small team, compared the British Museum whopping 30-strong Membership and Fundraising Team (the organisation chart for just this department looks like our entire organisation!)

    “I really like the fact that you have one database, Tessitura, for all your data. We have multiple databases at the British  Museum so this is something I will take back with me to the team”. She also commented on how things run so smoothly here using Tessitura.

    “Most of all,” she adds, “I am impressed by how alive everything is!” Flowers on the table, roaring fires, radios left playing – Sara noticed how much attention to detail we put into the shops and houses that make up the Museum. “Sometimes Museums can lack life; they can be static – not here, I really felt I was stepping back in time.”

    Sara met with the Marketing Department, the IT Manager and the Curatorial Assistant in Collections – she wishes to extend her thanks to Helen and Katy who have given a lot of their time this week, showing her around and organising meetings and showing her around.

    “I’ll be sharing my learnings when I get back, of course, but I know what my team is waiting for – the sweets!”

  • Items for Planned Maintenance

    Each year, the Museum sets a Planned Maintenance Programme to ensure that we identify and prioritise maintenance tasks to minimise impact on the visitor experience and ensure the longevity of our buildings and infrastructure.  In order to capture as much information as possible to allow us to plan for the 2018 Programme, if you are aware of any items requiring maintenance please complete the 2018 staff call maintenance spreadsheet with the building, description of the issue and your name and return to either [email protected] or [email protected]. The deadline for completion is Monday 9 October.

    The Planned Maintenance Programme is prioritised on the basis of the urgency of the maintenance task and the impact on the visitor experience.

  • Staff discounts – NMDC scheme (update 06/09/17)

    Did you know as an employee of BCLM you’re entitled to discounts to various paid attractions across the country? We’re part of the NMDC (National Museum Directors’ Council) reciprocal free admission scheme. With valid ID you’ll be able to to visit Beamish, St Fagans, HMS Belfast, Churchill War Rooms and many more. For information please see: NMDC reciprocal free admission scheme conditions.

     

    Quick update – please see the below email with regards to an event falling under an NMDC attraction:

     

    Dear All

     

    I am sending this to you as you are listed as a contact for NMDC’s Reciprocal Free Admission scheme.

     

    The British Library would like to bring the following to your attention, regarding their forthcoming exhibition:

     

    “Due to huge public demand, the British Library will be unable to offer free reciprocal entry to other museum and gallery staff for the exhibition Harry Potter: A History of Magic for the duration of the exhibition, Fri 20 Oct 2017 – Wed 28 Feb 2018.”

     

    Also, apologies that the new list of sites and logos is still not available, but I am hoping to be able to send them out shortly.  Thank you for your patience.

     

    Best wishes

     

    Christine

    Christine Toogood

    Administrator

    National Museum Directors’ Council

    Tel:  020 7942 4090

    [email protected]

    NMDC represents the leaders of the UK’s national collections and major

    regional museums. www.nationalmuseums.org.uk

  • The Summer of 2017

    Although every day is important, you’ll all know that July and August are especially important if we are to achieve the financial results we set for ourselves. So much so, that these two months account for almost a third of our annual attendance and an even greater share of income. Being on site and looking out at the number of visitors we welcomed, it certainly felt busier than last year, and so it proved. During July and August we welcomed 93,569 visitors, compared to 88,774 for the same period last year; that is growth of over 5%, and healthily above our forecast of 90,300. For the first time we welcomed over 58,000 visitors during August. Year-to-date it means we are 3% ahead of 2016 and our forecast, at 223,543, as we head towards the Autumn/Winter events programme.

    The summer activity programme –Let’s Get Sporty – was clearly a hit with families, and the experiment of late-night Fridays was a success, and one which we’ll do again next year. And although the weather wasn’t exactly spectacular, it was ok, and occasionally helped us along, not least on the August Bank Holiday.

    As ever, our success is down to an enormous team effort – whatever your role – and I want to thank everyone for their commitment, and for those in front-line jobs, for providing visitors with the best possible experience, and the sheer hard work involved in welcoming, serving, talking to and cleaning-up after, so many people in such a short period of time. Thank you.

    Andrew

  • Walsall Silver Threads Tapestry Exhibition

    Between 5 Sep and 18 Sep 11 unique tapestries representing the six towns and other areas in Walsall Borough will be on display in Hall 1. The tapestries reflect the borough’s living history, diversity and commonality; acknowledge the past, reflect the present and embrace the future.

    Each one of the tapestries represents at least 5000 sewing hours clocked up by an array of volunteers. The final inspiration of Walsall Councils Creative Development Team, the project ran for nearly a year and involved hundreds of local people, both as story tellers and stitchers.

    People came form far and wide during the first three months of the project, to have their say on what should feature on each tapestry. Artist Hunt Emerson turned their stories into illustrations which were then lovingly stitched into more than 12 Square metres of fabric.

    Each tapestry features a different area of the borough, capturing Walsall’s living history and diverse geographical communities. The Willenhall Tapestry features the Locksmiths Cottage (which is now run by BCLM). A sewing event was held at the cottage involving ladies from the local Gurdwara, which is also featured on the Willenhall Tapestry, who were able to see the history brought to life in the cottage and lock workshops.

    The Project was the brainchild of Creative Development Team Manager Maxwell Bailey who wrote a successful funding bid to Arts Council England. Sadly Max died before seeing the final tapestries completed, having fought a 4 year battle with cancer.

    The continued tour of the tapestries is supported by Walsall Creative Factory CIC and Creative Black Country funded by The Arts Council England also by the sales of postcard packs.

    To find out more about more please visit www.creativefactory.org.uk or Walsall Silver Thread Facebook page

    The exhibition is free of charge and it located in the exhibition hall in our main visitor reception building.

    General admission prices to apply if visitors would like to visit the rest of the Museum.

  • Enter into our calendar competition!

    Enter into our calendar competition!

    We are currently welcoming entries to our calendar competition – it’s not just open to visitors!

    Please submit any and all photos to [email protected]. More information below.

    The deadline is 10 September.

     

    Can I enter?

    Yes:  This competition is open to all.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional photographer or you got lucky and took a bostin’ photo on your phone.  The only stipulation is that it must have been taken within the Museum.

    The winners?

    There will be one overall winner and 11 runners up:  We need a Black Country Living Museum 2018 Calendar Cover image, this person will be the overall winner.  We then need another 11 months’ worth of runner up images.

    What do I win?

    The winners will receive a BCLM Membership, their photo framed and a copy of the 2018 calendar.

    What are you looking for?

    We’re looking for photos taken within the Museum that capture the drama, fun and excitement of what our costumed demonstrators, buildings and experiences have to offer.  Industry, stories, characters, vintage transport, food & drink; whatever made you want to capture it “on film”.

    If your image is to be shortlisted, you and your image must adhere to the following:

    • Your image(s) must be in landscape format
    • All images must be taken within the Black Country Living Museum (BCLM)
    • Your images must have a resolution of at least 300dpi
    • If your image includes people who can be identified you must be able to provide evidence of their consent

    How do I enter?

    • Email your images to: [email protected]
    • You can send as many images as you like….so long as they meet the criteria!
    • Keep visiting us and submitting your images.
    • Final deadline for entries is 23:59 on Sunday 10th September 2017.  Any entries received after that date/time will not be considered for shortlisting. Please read the extended terms and conditions at the bottom of this page before you enter
    • By submitting an image to this competition, you are agreeing to all terms and conditions

    2018 BCLM Calendar Competition Terms & Conditions

    1. This competition is open to all UK residents.
    2. By entering, all entrants agree to enter into the spirit and purpose of the competition; to create a 2018 calendar compiled of Visitor’s photographs.
    3. BCLM will assume that all entrants have read, understood, accept and adhere to all terms and conditions detailed here.
    4. The judges’ decisions (whether in relation to determining any shortlists, runners up, or winners) are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding such decisions.
    5. Entries should be submitted via email to [email protected]only.  Entries submitted via BCLM’s Social Media channels will not be entered and will not be re-directed by BCLM.  We cannot accept entries in any other format.
    6. Image files (from both digital cameras and smartphones) must be a landscape image, 300dpi and 4000 pixels and as a compressed jpeg file of maximum 2Mb. Any number of images may be submitted.
    7. Entrants must supply their name, email address and contact details.  Entrants are also welcome to supply a caption or title or a preference as to which month the image should be considered for.  However BCLM cannot guarantee to use either if the image is shortlisted.
    8. All entries must be received by 23:59 on 10th September 2017.  Any entries made after this time and date will not be accepted.
    9. Entrants under the age of 16 must obtain consent to enter from their parent or guardian prior to submitting any images.
    10. All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them and must not have been published elsewhere (excluding social media) or have won a prize in any other  competition.

    11. All images entered must have been taken within Black Country Living Museum

    12. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that any images they submit have been taken with the consent of anyone who can be identified or the consent of their parent/guardian if they are under 16 and that they have been advised that their photograph may be published by Black Country Living Museum. The photograph can only go through to judging for the shortlist with this consent.

    13. Entrants must ensure that the images they are submitting are their own work, that they own the copyright for them and that they do not infringe the copyright or other rights of any third party or any laws.

    14. Entrants will retain copyright and moral rights on their submitted images however, by entering, all entrants:
    (a) grant Black Country Living Museum non-exclusive rights to use the images on the Calendar Cover or within the 2018 Black Country Living Museum Calendar.
    (b) grant Black Country Living Museum non-exclusive rights to use the images to promote the competition the images were submitted to or for similar future competitions within a five year period of the winners of the competition being announced;
    (c) agree that the uses referred to at Clauses 14(a) and 14(b) above may include publishing, displaying or otherwise reproducing the images (whether online or any print  material) provided such use is for the purposes of promoting the competition or similar future competitions only; and

    (d) agree that Black Country Living Museum may contact them using the contact details they provide to discuss potential use of the images beyond promotion of the competition. Such discussion and negotiation will be independent from the competition and will not affect entrants’ chances of winning.

    15. Black Country Living Museum will endeavor to credit the photographer whenever their image is used and published by the Museum.  Credits will be made for individuals only and not made for companies.

    16. The winner and runners-up will be notified by email by 15 October 2017. A list of the winners and runners-up will be announced on the Black Country Living Museum website and social media channels on 16 October 2017.  If a winner cannot be contacted or is not available, Black Country Living Museum reserves the right to select the first runner-up from the remaining shortlisted entries as the winner.

    17. The overall winner of the 2018 Black Country Living Museum Calendar Competition will see their image printed as the cover of the 2018 Calendar.  The runners up will have their images printed, one per month, inside.  This will be on-sale within the museum gift shop and online.  The prizes as described are available on the date of publication. All prizes are non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives.

    18. The winners may be required to take part in publicity and their name may be published on the Black Country Living Museum website, Social Media channels and any other Museum publications, print or otherwise.

    19. Events may occur that render the competition itself or the awarding of the prizes impossible due to reasons beyond the control of Black Country Living Museum and accordingly the Museum may at its absolute discretion vary or amend the promotion.  The entrant agrees that no liability shall attach to the promoter as a result thereof.

    20. English law applies and the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts shall prevail.