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Category: General News

  • Whippy Wednesdays 🍦

    Whippy Wednesdays 🍦

    We’re introducing Whippy Wednesdays for all colleagues!
    Every Wednesday, you can get:
    • A whippy with sauce and kali for £2.00
    • Add a flake for an extra 25p
    That’s just shy of half price exclusively for Museum Colleagues every Wednesday.
    You’ll find the Red & White Whippy Hut in the courtyard between Hobbs and Langers.
    Treat yourself midweek and enjoy a well-earned whippy! 🍦
  • Roadworks on Duncan Edwards Way for the next six weeks from Monday 10 August

    Roadworks on Duncan Edwards Way for the next six weeks from Monday 10 August

    As part of the ongoing construction of Phase Two of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension, there will be a lane closure northbound towards Castlegate from Monday 10 August for 6 weeks. There will be a reduced speed limit in this area to 30 miles per hour.

  • How Bin Ya Survey; Summer 2026

    How Bin Ya Survey; Summer 2026

    Thank you to all colleagues who completed the first ever comprehensive survey of the Museum Team.
    The survey received responses from 149 colleagues, from a total headcount of 546 colleagues. Although we will always want 100% participation, this level of response is strong.  Overall, the findings present a positive picture of engagement, with high levels of pride in the Museum, strong awareness of Museum values and a culture where most colleagues feel respected and able to raise concerns.
    However, alongside these strengths, the survey identifies opportunities to improve communication, strengthen understanding of the Museum’s long-term strategy and broaden recognition across the workforce.
    Headlines
     
    Next Steps
    Beginning with the Leadership Team, these results are now being analysed in more detail to decide how we can build on the positive outcomes and address where improvement is needed.  So watch out for the actions being taken, including a commitment to rerun the survey annually so that we can all track progress.
    Andrew Lovett OBE
    Chief Executive
  • Free NHS Health Checks

    Free NHS Health Checks

    On 4 & 11 November, Your Health Dudley will be onsite, generously offering free Health Checks to colleagues.

    These comprehensive Health Checks include:

    • Height, weight, waist circumference, and BMI measurements
    • Blood pressure check
    • Blood sugar (diabetes) screening
    • Cholesterol check
    • Physical activity, smoking status, and alcohol consumption questionnaires

    The results are used to calculate a cardiovascular risk score, after which personalised advice, support, and signposting to relevant services will be provided based on individual results.

    Eligibility for a Full Health Check

    The full Health Check is available to individuals aged 40–74 who have not been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

    • Coronary heart disease
    • Chronic kidney disease (CKD Stages 3–5)
    • Diabetes
    • Heart failure
    • Previous stroke
    • Peripheral arterial disease
    • Hypertension
    • Familial hypercholesterolaemia
    • Atrial fibrillation
    • Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

    In addition, participants must not currently be prescribed statins or antihypertensive medication.

    Mini Health Checks

    For colleagues outside the eligible age range or those who have been diagnosed with one of the conditions listed above, Mini Health Checks are also available. These include:

    • Height and weight measurements
    • BMI calculation
    • Blood pressure check

    What Happens After the Check?

    Each participant will receive a personal results booklet. A summary of the results will also be sent to their GP to confirm that a Health Check has been completed and, where appropriate, to support any necessary follow-up care.

    Appointment Details

    Each appointment lasts approximately 30 minutes and will take place as follows:

    4 November
    📍Brook Entrance
    🕙 10:00am – 4:00pm

    11 November
    📍 Learning Centre, Classroom 2
    🕘 10:00am – 4:00pm

    How to Book

    If you would like to book a free Health Check, please contact Susannah at [email protected] with your preferred morning or afternoon session, contact number and email. A suitable appointment time will then be allocated to you.

  • Kate Meldon (1944-2026)

    Kate Meldon (1944-2026)

    We’re incredibly sorry to share news of the passing of one of our volunteers, Kate Meldon.

    Kate started with the Museum in May 2019 when she joined an informal group specifically to support the development of the Gospel Car interpretation on site.

    During her 7 years with the Museum, Kate brought an abundance of knowledge, mostly from personal experience and involvement with the Methodist movement, towards the storytelling of the Gospel Car and Providence Chapel. It’s fair to say that the presence of the Gospel Car on site wouldn’t be what it is today without Kate’s generous contribution.

    Our thoughts are with Kate’s husband Michael and their family at this sad time.

    If colleagues wish to send their condolences or would like to know the funeral details, please contact the People Team via [email protected] or 0121 557 9643.

    We’d like to remind you that the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available for confidential support from trained professionals. You can contact them directly at any time by calling 0800 756 0861, quoting “Perkbox” and “Black Country Living Museum”.

  • 🎭 Panto Rehearsals 🎭

    🎭 Panto Rehearsals 🎭

    There is still time to join the Panto! Oh yes there is!!

    When: Wednesdays, starting 29 July

    Summer Schedule: Please arrive at 5pm for a 5:30pm start. Sessions will finish by 7:30pm

    Winter Schedule: Sessions will start at 5-7pm

    Location: Brook Entrance

    It is an opportunity for everyone to come together in a relaxed and friendly setting and put on a fantastic show for our friends and family.

    The pantomime performance is scheduled for January 2027, following the completion of Reset.

    Whether you are interested in performing, supporting behind the scenes, or simply finding out more about the production, you are very welcome to attend.

    Refreshments provided. For any questions please email [email protected]

  • Coming soon – Bostin’ Promise ID Cards

    Coming soon – Bostin’ Promise ID Cards

    We’re excited to launch our new Bostin’ Promise ID Cards and lanyard holders, which will be shared with all colleagues over the coming weeks.
    The front of the card will act as a daily reminder of our four pillars and the behaviours that help us deliver the Bostin’ Promise.
    The reverse features GREAT – a simple way we can all help create brilliant experiences:
    G – Greet
    R – React
    E – Enthuse
    A – Anticipate
    T – Thank
  • ☀️ Summer is our time to shine – recognise a Bostin’ Promise moment!

    ☀️ Summer is our time to shine – recognise a Bostin’ Promise moment!

    Summer is here, the Museum is getting busier, and it’s our chance to shine. The Bostin’ Promise is our reminder of the standards we all share and the experience we want everyone to have with us.
    As we head into this busy period, it’s a great time to reflect on how we live these values every day. Every conversation, every interaction and every small action make a difference. This is our opportunity to show what we do best.
    🌟 Who deserves recognition?
    The Bostin’ Promise Recognition Scheme is about celebrating the brilliant things happening across the Museum – and your votes make that possible. Remember: you have to be in it to win it! If we don’t receive nominations, we can’t give the recognition that colleagues deserve.
    Think about someone who has demonstrated the Bostin’ Promise, gone above and beyond, or made a difference to someone’s day.
    You can vote for anyone, including:
    👏 A colleague in your own team
    👏 A colleague from another team
    👏 Any manager
    👏 Someone from a front-line team
    👏 Someone working behind the scenes
    Everyone has the opportunity to recognise great work. Please vote based on your own experience and judgement. The scheme is about recognising individuals for the work they have done, not about encouraging others to vote in a particular way or organising support for someone.
    You can submit one vote per month 👉 Vote here: Living the Bostin Promise – Colleague Recognition – Fill out form or scan this QR code;
    🏆 How do we decide the winners?
    A panel will meet each month to review nominations and score the feedback from 1–3.
    The score is based on the example shared and how clearly it demonstrates the Bostin’ Promise:
    ⭐ 1 – Doing your job well
    This is about delivering the expected standard and providing a positive experience.
    ⭐ 2 – Doing your job exceptionally well
    This is where someone has gone further than expected and demonstrated excellent behaviours through the way they work.
    ⭐ 3 – Going above and beyond
    This is when someone has done something exceptional, shown outstanding care, or done something outside their usual role or responsibilities to make a real difference.
    The detail in your nomination matters. Simply saying someone did their job well may not score highly unless the feedback explains how they demonstrated the Bostin’ Promise.
    For example:
    A comment such as:
    “Jenny in Finance replied to my email quickly” or “Ken in the Cake Shop smiled and served a customer”, shows good service, but may not demonstrate something exceptional on its own.
    However: “Jenny didn’t know the answer to my question, so she contacted another team, found the information, and made sure it was shared back with me” shows ownership, care and going the extra mile.
    Or: “Ken noticed a visitor was unsure what to choose, took time to understand what they liked, suggested some favourite bakes, didn’t rush them, and made the experience feel personal” shows excellent examples of welcoming, caring and creating a memorable experience.
    When making your nomination, think about what happened, how the person made a difference, and which Bostin’ Promise behaviours they demonstrated.
    💬 We want your feedback
    This is a new scheme, and we want to make sure it delivers something meaningful for everyone.
    We’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how we can make it even better.
    Share your feedback with us at by email to [email protected]. If you would prefer to share feedback anonymously, you can use any of the white Bostin’ Promise feedback boxes in break areas, or the two black feedback boxes located by the clock-in machine in the Learning Centre or inside the door at the bottom of the Hartill Offices stairs.
    Your feedback will help us continue to shape the scheme around what works best for colleagues. We will review and refresh the scheme based on your feedback during January Reset.
    🌞 Your vote matters. Your recognition matters. Let’s give each other the recognition we deserve.
  • Underground Mine – Update

    Underground Mine – Update

    We wanted to provide colleagues with an update on the Underground Mine, which has been closed since January while essential repair works are carried out.
    As work has progressed, it has become clear that the complexity of the mine structure means the repairs are taking longer than originally anticipated. As a result, the Underground Mine will not reopen during 2026.
    We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the project so far for their hard work and commitment. We’d also like to thank the colleagues delivering the alternative Underground Mine offers, which continue to receive excellent feedback from visitors, helping our continued overall performance above budget.
    The Museum is currently delivering two other major capital projects with fixed funding deadlines. To make the best use of our capacity and resources, we are focusing on those projects while continuing to progress work on the Underground Mine so that we can reopen it for visitors as soon as possible.
    We will provide further updates as plans for reopening in 2027 become clearer. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
  • Our Kid of the Month – The Results for June!

    Our Kid of the Month – The Results for June!

    Thank you to those of you who took the time to nominate your colleagues for their GREAT contribution to Our Bostin’ Promise. We received a total of 20 votes from nine departments.  

    Our Kid 

    • Mark Farrell – Maintenance Team

    Mark was nominated by 6 colleagues in 4 different teams for always being supportive and encouraging with other colleagues, he helps where he can and checks back in on jobs completed. He has shown kindness and patience to visitors. 

    Runners Up

    • Kirsty Clark – Cultural Enteprises
    • Steve Amos – Historic Character 
    • Geoff Nixon – Historic Character
    • John Edwards – Maintenance Team

    Our Bostin’ Promise Postcards 

    3 postcards were given out this month: 

    • Rob Perrins gave Matt Beard a “Care” postcard for supporting an elderly visitor to be seated while waiting for Doris. 
    • Demi Whitehouse gave Luke Whitehouse a “Know Our Stuff” postcard for alerting a visitor to an allergen in a cake which could have caused a medical emergency. 
    • Hannah Parsons gave Chantelle Richards a “Know Our Stuff” postcard for her excellent work promoting Windrush day on live radio. She showed pride, passion and was perfectly on message.  

    A reminder to Managers and Supervisors to give out these postcards when you see exceptional service against one of the pillars of Our Bostin Promise.  

    And to record it Manager/Supervisor – Colleague Recognition Cards – Fill in form  to ensure it is acknowledged. 

    It’s been great to read all the lovely comments and to see a wide range of colleagues being nominated so do take a look. Every nomination submitted for June can be found here; Our Bostin Promise Nominations June 2026

    Reminders 

    • Don’t forget any votes received after 12pm on 30 June will be counted in July– and voting is already open! 
    • A gentle reminder that each colleague should only vote once per month, multiple votes will be discounted. 
    • You have until 12pm on 31st July to vote. 
    • There will usually be 6 winners in total as long as sufficient nominations per team have been made, the highest scoring being Our Kid of the Month. 2 from Enterprise, 2 from Historic Characters and 2 from all other departments. 

    Voting for July is open! 

    Living the Bostin Promise – Colleague Recognition – Fill in form 

    Or complete a slip and post in the white boxes across all break areas.