We’d like to remind all staff that parking on the gravel area at the back of Car Park 2 is not permitted.
This notice was originally posted on 10 March, but we are still seeing vehicles parked in this area. Parking here is making it difficult for coaches to manoeuvre and park safely.
Please help us keep access clear by using the designated staff parking areas only.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Our colleague Clare Weston would like to share with colleagues about this free all-day event, held at the Arts Building on the University of Birmingham campus or online, exploring Britain’s coal industry legacy. Historians, community members, and creatives will share how they research, represent, and remember coal’s impact and the communities it shaped.
The day reflects on the fading physical reminders of coal mining and its environmental legacy, while examining themes of memory, commemoration, and storytelling.
Event details:
Date: Monday 16 June 2025
Time: 10am to 6.30pm
Location: Arts Building, University of Birmingham (or attend online)
Cost: Free
Booking: Eventbrite link
When visiting the Museum as a visitor – whether for general daytime entry using complimentary tickets, or attending a ticketed event (e.g. 1960s Evening, Peaky Blinders, Halloween, etc.) – please ensure you queue and enter through the visitor entrance as normal.
We have recently been made aware of some colleagues using their BCLM pass to enter through the black pedestrian gate, that runs across the road between the Visitor Centre and Learning Centre, when attending events. While this may be done with good intentions, it creates a number of challenges:
– Health & safety: Bypassing the main entrance means we don’t have an accurate count of who is on site, which poses a potential safety risk in an emergency.
– Reporting: Accurate visitor numbers are essential for evaluating the success of our daily offer and ticketed events. Inaccurate numbers affect the data we rely on to improve future experiences.
– Visitor experience: Seeing someone use an alternate entrance can cause confusion or frustration for visitors who are being asked to queue in the normal way. This not only affects the visitor experience but can also lead to uncomfortable situations for our Admissions staff, who are then required to explain why the same “entrance” is not available to everyone.
If you or anyone in your party has a specific need that means queuing or navigating large crowds is challenging, please let the Admissions team know in advance by calling 0121 557 9643. We’ll do our best to make your entry as smooth and comfortable as possible, while still ensuring you’re checked in through the proper process.
When coming in to work or volunteer, you can continue to access the site via your usual route.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Welcomes
In April and May we welcomed a number of Historic Character Guides to the Historic Character Team.
If you see our new colleagues on site, do say hello.
Changes
We are pleased to announce the following changes;
Please join us in congratulating them on their new roles.
Farewells
In April we said goodbye to Oliver Hipkiss, Site Cleaner, who left after 4 years with the Museum, starting with us as part of the kickstart programme.
Last Month we bid farewell to Glenis Williams, Community Engagement Manager who left following securing alternative employment following changes in her role as a result of the restructure.
We wish them every success in their future endeavours.
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of one of our longstanding volunteers, Les Millington, who died on Wednesday 7th May.
Les first joined the Museum in June 1995, initially as a member of the Friends of the Black Country Living Museum. Over the course of nearly 30 years, Les made a lasting contribution to the life and development of the Museum. His dedication was unwavering; he remained an active volunteer to the very end, even attending the Museum to volunteer in the weeks before he passed away.
Many of you will remember Les as a familiar face in Pitts Cottage and the Providence Chapel, where he brought history to life as a historic character. However, in the early days of the Museum, Les also played a key role behind the scenes, helping to shape the Museum’s future. As part of the Friends, he was heavily involved in what would later become our Audience & Communications, Community Engagement, and Development teams – helping to drive forward the Museum’s growth and visibility. He continued to support these functions, which notably included attending Community Roadshows and outreach events. It wasn’t uncommon to find Les all over the country representing and promoting the Museum.
We cannot of course mention Les without commenting on the fact that his involvement with the Museum was a partnership. His wife, Margaret, volunteered alongside him throughout those three decades. Together, they gave their time, energy, and passion to the Museum, and their joint commitment has left an impression that will be remembered with warmth, admiration, and gratitude. They also marked a special milestone this year, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in January. Margaret remains a volunteer with us and we look forward to welcoming her back to the Historic Character and Audience & Communications teams soon.
Les leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of service, friendship, and community spirit. His presence, we’re sure, will very much be missed by colleagues across the organisation. Our thoughts are with Margaret at this difficult time.
Should anyone wish to send a card or message of condolence to Margaret, or wish to enquire about funeral arrangements, please speak to any member of the People Team or email [email protected].
We understand this news may be upsetting. If you would like to talk, support is available through our Mental Health First Aiders on 07918 348919. You can also contact the EAP scheme by calling 0800 756 0861, quoting “Perkbox” and “Black Country Living Museum”.
Following the recent restructure, the People and Culture team is now called the People team. They’ve also been relocated to the Hartill’s offices. To find them: go to Hartill’s, walk upstairs to the reception area, continue straight ahead, and turn left – signage will help guide you.
As part of these changes, the Leadership team has also moved. They’re now based in a different office on the opposite side of the space, directly opposite the kitchen.
The People team’s post box will remain available and is now located just inside the entrance to Hartill’s on the ground floor.
As part of our ongoing commitment to Health & Wellbeing, we’re pleased to offer free Makaton classes to help raise awareness and build confidence in communicating with D/deaf colleagues, visitors, and members of the community.
📅 When: Tuesday 10 June 2025, 5.30pm-6.30pm
📍 Where: Classroom 1 (Learning Centre)
💷 Cost: Free
Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking to refresh your skills, these sessions are a great opportunity to learn something new and show your support for inclusive communication.
To sign up, please email: [email protected]
Let’s continue to build a more accessible and supportive workplace for everyone.
Following the nomination process, we are pleased to confirm the appointment of the following Colleague Consultative Forum (CCF) Representatives;
Bryce Bealey – Historic Character constituency
Kit Proctor – Casual constituency
Tracy Ledward – Salaried constituency
Current CCF Representatives are;
|
Representative |
Constituency |
|
Lisa Bate Tracy Ledward |
Salaried |
|
Lisa Evans |
Enterprise |
|
Bryce Bealey Emily Banks Greg Dunn |
Historic Characters |
|
Kit Proctor Mitchell Robertson |
Casuals |
|
Karen Griffiths |
Volunteers |
As a reminder, vacancies still remain in the following constituencies;
The above vacancies will remain open and should a nomination be received, we will recommence the nomination process.
If you would like to be considered as a CCF Representative, you will need a colleague from the same constituency as you to propose your nomination and the name of another colleague, again within the same constituency, who seconds the nomination. To put yourself forward, please complete and return a nomination form to the People & Culture team (based at Canalside office) either by hand, deposited in the black post box outside the People & Culture office, or via email to [email protected].
