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  • AIM Conference – 13-14 June – thank you!

    AIM Conference – 13-14 June – thank you!

    Last week, the Museum hosted the annual conference of the Association of Independent Museums (AIM). Many of you will know that I Chair AIM, and so I was especially proud to be the host this year for 250 delegates, funders, policy-makers, Government officials, speakers, and exhibitors from all parts of the United Kingdom, at this important and always highly valued time together.

    Here are just a few of the lovely comments about you and the Museum. Read more on X and other social media channels, including @Aimuseums, and @bclmdirector.

    “How can you follow BCLM… can’t wait to welcome you to Mary Rose. This is seriously overdelivering! What a conference social.”

    Dominic Jones, Chief Executive, Mary Rose Trust, Portsmouth

    “Another triumph for your team who performed uniformly and magnificently this week. Another great AIM conference, reminding us why we love to join in and support AIM.”

    Dr Matthew Tanner MBE, Former AIM Chair

    “….massive thanks to every single person at BCLM for making it happen so smoothly. Lovely venue, great staff, bostin’ food and beer.”

    Sarah Clarke, Project Director, Newark Castle

    “On behalf of all the AIM team, thank you so so much to all the people at BCLM who worked on our conference – from the organisers and general problem-solvers/magicians, to those responsible for making and serving the delicious lunches, snacks, and dinners, to speakers, to the AV team and staff in the room on the day (especially for all the extra chairs!), to the historic characters who spent time with our members (with an extra big thank you to those who were outside on what turned out to be a windy and drizzly evening!), and really everyone who contributed to making the event a big success.

    “AIM Conference is very important to the team and the organisation and always a source of some anxiety, and I can’t describe how much of a comfort it was to have a venue that did everything to such a high standard. I know the swan-like professionalism visible to us will have come from much ‘below the water’ busyness and really appreciate the friendliness and good nature to shown throughout to all of us, and our delegates! I was surprised by how many said they hadn’t been to BCLM before and trust having seen how amazing the museum is they will come back as you really did show off what a great operation you’ve got. Thank you again!”

    Lisa Ollerhead, Director, AIM

    So, a really big thank you to you all for making the conference such a great success and valued by everyone who attended. A special mention to members of the Museum Team who liaised with the AIM Team in the run-up to the conference, who were part of the conference programme, and who delivered so wonderfully well over the two days. You all set the bar very high for next year’s host, Mary Rose Trust.

    Andrew Lovett
    Chief Executive

     

  • People News – June 2024

    People News – June 2024

    Welcomes

    A warm welcome to our latest additions;

    Sandra Laksa joins the People & Culture Team as Yasmine Beddall’s Maternity cover in the role of Talent & Development Coordinator.

    Alan Clarke (pictured) joins the Site Conservation, Maintenance & Transport Team as Health & Safety Coordinator.

    Grace Taylor, Visitor Welcome Administrator joins us on a fixed term contract to cover the remainder of Lana Grinko’s Maternity Leave.

    Harry Lloyd and David Curran join the Museum as Enterprise team members.

    We have also had a number of casuals join the Historic Character and Enterprise teams.

    Please make sure to say hello if you see them on site.

  • All Colleague Briefings – July 2024

    All Colleague Briefings – July 2024

    As part of our continual programme of ensuring engagement and communication across the Museum’s operational and strategic activity, we will be holding briefings to update all colleagues on the Museum’s progress and the plans for the remainder of 2024, a crucial year as we open Langer’s Army & Navy Stores, Halesowen and Hasbury Co-op, and Spring Hill Post Office.

    These briefings will take place on:

    • Wednesday 3 July
    • Friday 5 July
    • Saturday 6 July

    All the briefings will be held in Hall 2, and will commence at 9am, finishing at 9.30am.

    • Many of you will already be scheduled by your line managers to attend one of these sessions. If you have not yet been scheduled, please contact your line manager.
    • All contracted colleagues are mandated to attend these sessions. We would also strongly urge colleagues from both our volunteer and casual community to all attend.
    • You only need to attend one of the briefing sessions.

    Can you please sign up using the following link: All Colleague Briefing.

    If you have any trouble signing up for the briefing because you do not have a BCLM email address, please speak to your line manager who will be able to add your name for you.

  • Road closure information – A4123 Birmingham New Road UPDATED

    Road closure information – A4123 Birmingham New Road UPDATED

    Important update regarding ongoing road works at A4123 Birmingham New Road on either side of Hanson’s Ale Bridge: 

    Due to unforeseen circumstances, there has been a change in the plan for Friday 21 June 10pm – Monday 24 June 5am closure. During this period, the road will be completely closed to all traffic in both directions

    When planning your journey to the Museum please ensure you consider any delays to your journey as the closure is expected to affect journeys. A diversion will be in place for those directly affected.

    Please visit the Transport for West Midlands website for more information.

  • Festival of Vehicles Programme Information

    Festival of Vehicles Programme Information

    Festival of Vehicles weekend is a daytime programme happening on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June, showcasing Black Country vehicles from our collection and external connections. The weekend will include displays of vehicles around the site and then a cavalcade (at 1:30pm both days) showcasing iconic vehicles from Black Country history. 

    Even our horses will get the chance to shine – pulling their cart, before we showcase bikes, cars, and finally our ‘specials’ – unique vehicles from our collection that only come out on special occasions.

    For more information about the activity taking place, please check out the attached programme info sheet. 

  • Update on our horses

    Update on our horses

    Following eight years at the Museum, we’re planning the well-deserved retirement of our beloved Danny.

    Danny, who is around 22 years old, has been an important part of our storytelling, helping to share with visitors the contribution that horses made to Black Country industry.

    While most often found pulling a carriage through our historic streets, over the years Danny has had various starring roles, including portraying a British cavalry horse at Remembrance Sundays.

    He also took part in wedding, funeral and May Queen processions, the Museum’s Jubilee and Coronation celebrations, and the baton relay for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

    Danny has also been a popular fixture in our Access Tours, where visitors were invited to learn more about a day in his life, feel different tack, hold his horse brasses and help give him a groom.

    In preparation for Danny’s retirement, a new horse (Henry) will be arriving on site shortly for a trial period to see how he gets on with Museum life and picking up Danny’s responsibilities.

    We understand that Danny has large shoes to fill and the horse we’re planning on having for a trial is young and less experienced than Danny. We ask for you to have patience and understanding while we settle him in, and ask that you remind yourself about the guidance issued in January regarding behaviour around animals: Safe Together – Animal Awareness.

  • Dudley Libraries’ Writers Festival – 8-22 June 2024

    Dudley Libraries’ Writers Festival – 8-22 June 2024

    Dudley Libraries is hosting its first Writers Festival from 8 June t0 22 June 2024.

    This two-week event features authors and writers appearing at each library in the borough.

    Event information on authors appearing at Dudley and Gornal Libraries:

    Take a look online for more information about what’s on.

     

     

  • Bingo on 6 June – cancelled

    Bingo on 6 June – cancelled

    Despite our excitement and efforts to organise this event, due to limited demand, unfortunately, we’re unable to proceed with our planned bingo event scheduled for Thursday 6 June.

    We understand the disappointment this may bring and apologise for any inconvenience caused. We would like to share a survey with three or more dates to choose from with the hope of increasing participation numbers in case we can reschedule the event.

    Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please feel free to reach out to the team at [email protected].

  • HistoryExtra’s ’30 under 30′ competition

    HistoryExtra’s ’30 under 30′ competition

    HistoryExtra, in collaboration with history broadcaster Alice Loxton, has launched a ’30 under 30′ competition to recognise the contributions of young people in the history field. This competition aims to highlight individuals aged 18 to 30 who are making significant impacts, whether through traditional techniques, creating history societies, or other innovative endeavours.

    Find out more about the competition by watching the promotional video.

    Who should apply?

    • Individuals aged 18-30.
    • Those who have made notable contributions to the field of history.

    Why participate?

    • Gain recognition for your work.
    • Connect with fellow young historians.
    • Highlight the importance of history today.

    How do you apply?

    • Interested individuals can submit their applications online.
    • Please also let [email protected] know if you have submitted an application.

    Good luck!

  • Reviewing for Arts Council England – get involved

    Reviewing for Arts Council England – get involved

    As a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England, we are encouraged to participate in peer reviewing of events and programmes, both of our own and of other organisations. Read on to find out more how you can get involved, as well inviting peers in your network from the sector to come and review events and programmes here at the Museum.

     

    I want to be a peer reviewer and help other organisations – how do I sign up?

    As an employee of a participating cultural organisation, you can join the official register of ACE Peer Reviewers.

    ACE are looking for the following qualities in peer reviewers:

    • Someone with knowledge and expertise of an artform or specialist field (which, in our case, would be Museums, or could be any relevant previous experience from past roles).
    • Someone able and willing to make fair and honest judgements, and give constructive criticism and feedback to help support an organisation’s development.

    Joining as a peer reviewer enables other organisations to improve and critique their work, as well as to support artform innovation.

    To sign up as a peer reviewer, please follow this link:

    https://uk.culturecounts.cc/dashboard/ace/register-peer?referrer=567

     

    How can I invite arts professionals in my network to join our peer review database?

    We currently hold our own database of peer reviewers, and we are actively looking for new colleagues to sign up. If you have contacts or colleagues in other arts and cultural organisations (or those who work freelance with these types of organisations) we would love to hear from them.

    We have an email template which you can copy and paste to send to your network. Please double check the link to the Expression of Interest form is working in your invite email before you send it out.

    All terms and conditions for complimentary tickets for invited peer reviewers are outlined in the template email, so please do ensure you use this when contacting your networks.

    If you have any questions, please contact either Head of Public Programmes Janine Downes ([email protected]) or Audiences & Communications Manager Hannah Brown ([email protected]) for more information.