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Category: General News

  • Updated Smoking Policy

    Dear Colleague,

    Please find attached a revised and updated Smoking Policy applicable to both Staff and Visitors, together with a map of the designated smoking areas.

    Please read the policy in full. Key points include:

    • Staff & volunteers (Colleagues) cannot smoke anywhere on site other than the staff only designated smoking zones. These are the staff area of the original car park and on the towpath directly behind the Bottle and Glass. Staff should NOT go across the canal bridge to the Dudley Canal Trust (DCT) and use their designated smoking area, as this will lead to conflict with the DCT.
    • Visitors can not smoke in any building, semi-closed buildings or locations.
    • Visitors should be gently directed to only smoke or vape in visitor designated smoking areas, which are behind the Newcomen Engine and the the far side of the lifting bridge by Brown’s Bridge. There will be a clear sign on the fence/wall and a galvanised bucket filled with sand at each location.
    • In the interest of staff safety , please only signpost visitors to the Visitor Smoking Designated areas. Signposting should be done in a mindful and respectful manger. If visitors ignore your suggestion, please do not persist.
    • The only instance when a visitor can be instructed to not smoke is if they are entering a building with a live cigarette or vape.
    • All colleagues should always remain calm, professional and polite in their communication to visitors.
    • For the avoidance of doubt, Staff & Volunteers cannot smoke in the visitor designated smoking areas.

    If you have any questions, please contact your Line Manager.

  • Interim Franking Procedures

    Message to all staff – please note interim franking procedures

    The franking machine has now been moved to the guide hut. This is part of the process of relocating the Reception function to the guide hut.

    For the next few days while we wait for Reception to be transferred fully, staff should take post to the hut to frank it and then put it in the mail bag in Rolfe Street reception for collection.

    We are hoping to complete the full relocation of Reception by the end of this week, and at that stage the franked post can be left at the guide hut for collection.

    Thank you for your understanding during this process.

     

    If you have any questions, please contact Admissions.

  • Book of condolence – please sign before Friday 30 September

    A book of condolence is currently in the Visitor Welcome Centre and is open to all visitors, staff and volunteers to sign and leave their respects for Her Majesty The Queen.

    The book will be removed on Friday 30 September, where it will then be placed into the Museum’s archives.

    Please feel free to add your message of respect.

  • Mental Health First Aider Update

    The Museum has a team of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) to provide support to colleagues who are experiencing poor mental wellbeing or just need someone to talk to. Please find below the details of the Museum’s updated MHFAs should you wish to have a supportive conversation with someone about your wellbeing. MHFAs can also signpost you to useful resources and professional help and support. Please be assured that any contact and discussion with a MHFA will remain confidential between the two of you.

    A copy of the above can be found in break areas across site.

    We have implemented a rota to ensure that there will be an on-duty MHFA each week to provide Mental Health First Aid to someone experiencing a mental health issue or crisis. This has been in place from the week commencing 28 February 2022. Details of the on-duty MHFA will be shared at morning briefings.

  • Summer programme – your feedback matters

    The Programming team would like to say a big thank you to everyone who was involved in the delivery of the summer programme, our offer, and a fantastic visitor experience during a very tiring six-week school holiday.

    As you may be aware, the Museum evaluates each and every programme delivered. This is done via surveys sent to everyone who booked a ticket; the Audiences and Communications team are busy collating this information. Until this is ready we wanted to give you a preview of feedback collected so far from visitors on how the summer programme was received.

    1400 visitors submitted an evaluation of their visit:

    • 91% of visitors said their visit was either Very Good or Excellent
    • 90% learnt something about Black Country heritage
    • 74% learnt something new about 1950s history
    • 84% of people thought the performances they saw were interactive

    Positive comments include:

    • “The storytelling of the historical reenactors made the past come alive.”
    • “The Victorian school classroom was very interesting and played through well. Also the history play was very well acted, well done.”
    • “The new area being built, had my first look at The Elephant and Castle public house fantastic.”
    • “The lady who greets you at the door (Carla) is an absolute asset. She remembered our daughter from a previous visit and made such a fuss of her. Our daughter now says we have to go back to see her friend soon.”
    • “The history of the Black Country play/drama is well worth a viewing as were the demonstration of industry and crafts.”
    • “Great museum and great for both adults and teenagers. Very informative and interesting attractions. Usually spend up to 4-5 hours there. Strongly recommended if you haven’t visit it already.”
    • “Amazing day out. We spent all day here, there was loads to see and learn about. The staff are more than just dressed the part, they are well informed, and seem to love sharing their history with tourists. Would definitely visit again!”
    • “Chosen by my daughter, we visited and were pleasantly surprised at how interesting this was. Lots of old buildings, vehicles and work practices were shown during the day. There were even people enacting scenes that you could imagine from days gone by. There was even a chip shop selling fresh food, not just to look at!”]

    Constructive comments have also been received, which we will collate and digest.

    Your feedback

    Your thoughts on the summer programming are also very important. The Programming team is inviting everyone across the Museum to complete a short survey: complete the survey online. Thank you for taking part.

     

  • Change to staff car park – from Tue 20 Sep

    From Tuesday 20 September onwards, the team who are working on Rolfe Street will be putting up their hoardings.

    They will be taking over the “staff area” of the car park. Therefore, please park on the other side of the car park near the fence, closest to the main road. Please see picture below for reference.

    If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Line Manager.

     

  • Peaky Blinders – Staff Update

    Peaky Blinders – Staff Update

    Hi all,

    We want to ensure all staff feel confident with the course of events that will be taking place, on the Peaky Blinders evenings.

    Dates: 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th September and 18th, 19th November

    Time: 7.00 – 10.30pm

    Performers: The Headshrinkers and Kal’s Kats

    Programme overview:

    • The Peaky Blinders are hosting an evening of entertainment to show their hospitability to the people of the Black Country! Whilst they’re all for entertaining their guests, they also have a hidden agenda… whilst the local coppers are busy at the race night and casino, the gang can make their move to take over the Bottle & Glass with intel from their resident landlady at the Elephant & Castle. This latest acquisition will give them direct access to store illegal goods in the cellar and have them shipped on the cut to further afield – a guaranteed money maker!

    Performances / Skits:

    • In addition to characters housed in the various shops and buildings around the museum, there will be a number of roving characters from a street gang.
    • Throughout the village they will perform improvisations that tell a story of gang life – extortion, threats and splashing their cash.
    • All of these moments will interact and showcase the museum, for example, purchasing a new suit in Morrall’s, ordering a bottle of whisky at the Elephant and Castle or inviting audiences to place a bet at their race night.

    Live locations used on the evenings:

    • Morralls
    • Elephant & Castle
    • Bottle & Glass Inn

    If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Peaky Blinders evenings, please contact your Line Manager.

    Thank you!

  • State Funeral – Museum closure

    The Museum will be closed to visitors, staff and volunteers on Monday, 19 September 2022, to enable colleagues to observe the State Funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

    All staff contracted to work on a ‘Monday’ will be paid for this day but will not be expected to carry out any work for the Museum.

    Anyone not contracted to work on a Monday will not receive a credit for this day, as this holiday is for the specific purpose of allowing colleagues time to observe this moment in history.

    If you have any questions regarding the above please do contact your Line Manager.

    The Museum will re-open as usual on Tuesday, 20 September 2022.

  • Her Majesty The Queen – Museum closure

    We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen following this evening’s announcement from the Royal Family.

    Her Majesty and the Royal Family have always been devoted supporters of heritage organisations, and our condolences are with our patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

    The Museum will close tomorrow, Friday 9 September, as a mark of respect. Any staff (contracted and casual) scheduled to work will continue to receive pay for this day. Essential members of staff who need to work will be contacted by line managers.

    We will reopen on Saturday 10 September.

  • HRH Duke of Gloucester visiting the Museum – postponed

    We are delighted to be welcoming our patron, HRH Duke of Gloucester, to the Museum on Wednesday 14 September. The Duke previously attended the Museum in 2009 to open Folkes Park.

    As part of this event, the Duke will visit the recently-opened Visitor Welcome Centre (opening tomorrow, Friday 9 September) and the Elephant and Castle Public House. He will also meet a number of staff members involved with the BCLM: Forging Ahead development.

    His Royal Highness will arrive at the Museum and be joined by Andrew Lovett (Chief Executive) and Dr Paul Belford (Chair of the Board of Trustees) before walking through the Museum and visiting the Elephant and Castle. He will then leave the Museum via the new Visitor Welcome Centre.

    During his visit to the region the Duke will also pay a visit to Dudley Canal and Caverns, Helix Trading Limited of Kingswinford, and officially open the new Stourbridge Glass Museum.