Helpdesk

Iplicit

FuseMetrix

Planday

My ePayWindow

Intranet

Category: General News

  • January Reset 2026 Brochure

    January Reset 2026 Brochure

    With Storm Goretti now behind us, we’re pleased to confirm that, this week, January Reset 2026 is going ahead as planned.

    Our ‘All Colleague Core Days’ are taking place on Tuesday 13, Tuesday 20, and Thursday 22 January 2026. Join us for an All Colleague Briefing led by Andrew Lovett OBE (Chief Executive), followed by Strategic Directions and Action Planning sessions delivered by the Leadership Team and Heads of Teams. We are also delighted to welcome a series of guest speakers, as well as West Midlands Police who will be delivering ACT Awareness training, on each of the Core Days. We will conclude the day with a session about the Bostin Promise, led by Heads of Teams.

    A range of other training opportunities, including essential training sessions for colleagues in visitor-facing roles, have also been programmed across the January Reset period.

    Many of you will have already been booked onto sessions by your line manager. If you are unsure which training you are signed up for, or have not yet been scheduled for any training, please contact your line manager directly.

    Full details, including locations and the full timetable, are available in the January Reset event brochure.

  • Important information – Museum weather plans Thursday 8th and Friday 9th January

    Important information – Museum weather plans Thursday 8th and Friday 9th January

    Thursday 8 January – Museum OPEN

    The Museum will be open to all colleagues as normal. We are aware of deteriorating weather towards the end of the day, with a yellow warning of snow starting at 5pm. The weather forecast will be monitored carefully throughout today, and the decision will be taken to close early for all colleagues should it become necessary. If this is the case affected colleagues unable to continue working at home will be receive their full pay for the remainder of their shift, with these hours being offset according to the Museum’s Closure Policy.

    Any colleague’s individual working-from-home arrangements for today should have been discussed with their line manager as routine.

    What about the Historic Character training on Thursday 8 January?

    Colleagues should have attended today’s training as scheduled at 9am. The afternoon session of this training is being re-scheduled to Monday 19 January. Colleagues will be paid for their full day’s shift, with the paid afternoon hours offset towards the re-scheduled Monday 19 January session.

    Friday 9 January – Museum CLOSED

    Due to an overnight amber weather warning of snow leading into Friday, the decision has been taken to close the Museum entirely on Friday 9th January. No colleagues are to attend the Museum on Friday 9th January, except for a handful of individuals that will be communicated with directly.

    What does it mean for my shift when the Museum is closed on Friday?

    • Salaried staff with the means to work from home should do so.
    • Contracted or hourly-paid staff may have their shifts moved to the following week where possible or be offered annual leave. If neither is possible, you will either:
      • Be paid and make up the hours later (for example, during training or work), or
      • Have the shifts processed as unpaid leave.

    Please speak with your manager to agree how this will be processed.

    • Casual colleagues will have their shifts cancelled. As per the terms of casual agreements for shift cancellations with over 24 hours’ notice, these cancelled shifts will be unpaid.

    Should anything change regarding today, based on updated to weather, further communication will be issued.

    Thank you.

    The Museum Team.

  • Our Board of Trustees

    Our Board of Trustees

    Unfortunately, because of competing circumstances, Professor Martin Levermore regrets that it is no longer within reach to continue as Chair of Black Country Living Museum. Martin is deeply disappointed by this, and wishes the Museum continued success as a key anchor institution in the region. The Museum wishes Martin well with his other regional responsibilities and his interest in the value of the Museum to the Black Country.

    The Museum is pleased that existing Trustee Duncan Bedhall will Chair the Board of Trustees, as he did so ably in 2025. Duncan is supported by fellow Trustees Jonathan Badyal and Caroline Southall as Deputy Chairs, ahead of a new search for a Chair later in 2026.

  • Museum access: Tuesday 6 January

    Museum access: Tuesday 6 January

    With sub-zero temperatures forecast overnight again tonight, we will be continuing our recommendation that any non-essential colleagues should work from home where possible tomorrow (Tuesday 6 January).

    For anyone that needs to be at the Museum to carry out their work, please take extra care when walking through site. Stick to gritted paths only. It is not currently advisable to walk along roads around the Museum. Teams have prioritised gritting pathways to key locations at the Museum. As best as you are able, please remain in one place for the day and avoid unnecessary walking across the site.

    If you must be on site, and are able to come in later, we recommend that you make your journey after the morning rush hour. Not only will this give the Museum team more time to prepare the site, but main driving routes should also be clearer.

    The following training sessions that were scheduled for Tuesday 6 January have been postponed to Wednesday 14 January:

    • Museum Social Media
    • Volunteer Manager Training

    Anyone who was booked on to these sessions has been contacted directly. If you have any questions about training sessions please contact [email protected].

  • Colleague Consultative Forum (CCF) – Vacancies

    Colleague Consultative Forum (CCF) – Vacancies

    Due to recent leavers, the conclusion of an elected representative’s term, and the Visitor Welcome & Admissions and Volunteer constituencies remaining unfilled, there are a number of vacancies on the CCF.

    We would therefore like to invite nominations for the following constituent posts;

    • 1 x Historic Characters
    • 1 x Visitor Welcome & Admissions
    • 1 x Volunteers

    (Please note that participation of volunteers on the CCF remains on a voluntary basis)

    The CCF plays a key communication and discussion role in many significant matters affecting all colleagues across the Museum. Further information on the role of the CCF can be found in the Colleague Consultative Forum Constitution Terms of Reference.

    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. Unsure about which Constituency you fall under? Find out here.

    The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2026. Elections will be held following this date if we have multiple candidates for a single role. In the event that a candidate for nomination is unopposed, their constituents will be invited to endorse their candidature.

    To put yourself forward, please complete and return a nomination form (which can be found here) to the People team (based above Hartills) either by hand, deposited in the black post box at the bottom of Hartills stairs, or via email to [email protected].

    All employees (who have successfully completed their probationary period) are eligible to apply, with the exception of the Leadership Team. Casual workers may only apply to represent the Casuals constituency and Volunteers may only apply to represent the Volunteers constituency. In the interest of ensuring a cross representation of the Museum, the 2 representatives in the Casual and Volunteer constituencies cannot be from the same team.

    As a reminder, the current CCF Representatives are:

    Constituency Representative(s)
    Salaried Tracy Ledward

    Lisa Bate
    Historic Characters Emily Banks

    Greg Dunn*

    Bryce Bealey
    Visitor Welcome & Admissions 1 x vacancy
    Enterprise Lisa Evans
    Cleaning & Recycling Drew Rhodes
    Casuals Kit Proctor

    Mitchel Robinson
    Volunteers Karen Griffiths

    1 x vacancy
    *Constituent post up for nomination.

     

  • Break-in at Collections Centre and Stainless Building – Staff Update

    We’re sorry to report that the Collections Centre and the Stainless Building at the Museum suffered a break-in over the weekend. Police attended promptly and, thanks to the swift actions of colleagues, intruders were arrested at the scene. Additional measures have been put in place to further strengthen security. Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Duty Managers.

    The Museum is profoundly grateful for the professionalism and calm shown by the team in managing the situation during a busy and extremely successful weekend of attendance.

  • Bostin’ Christmas decorating – Thank you

    Bostin’ Christmas decorating – Thank you

    We want to thank all those colleagues who gave their time to help decorate the museum for Christmas. It’s no mean feat to decorate our 29-acre site, and it would not be possible without the kind efforts, and in a lot of cases voluntary, support of a lot of individuals. We have received lovely comments from visitors, such as the examples below, which demonstrates how appreciated your efforts are.

    A big bostin’ thank you!

    “Had a lovely day there today. The decorations are fabulous.”

    “I wasn’t alive in the 60s, but seeing these decorations reminds me of visiting my grandparents house as a child. Gives me a warm fuzzy feel”

    “This is beautiful! Well done”

  • Robert Plant concert – join the draw to get a free ticket

    Robert Plant concert – join the draw to get a free ticket

    Following filming that took place at the Museum to promote their new album, we have been offered some tickets by Robert Plant for his Saving Grace tour at the O2 Apollo, Manchester on Monday 15 December at 7pm. We have 4 tickets available. Please send an expression of interest to [email protected] or pop into Hartill’s office and Jo will ensure your name is included in the draw. Please do this by the end of the working day on Monday 8 December.
    You will need to cover your own travel expenses.
  • Captured a Moment? Share your photos from Big Bostin Thank You, Peaky Blinders Night, and any other Museum moments!

    Captured a Moment? Share your photos from Big Bostin Thank You, Peaky Blinders Night, and any other Museum moments!

    If you took any photos or videos during these events or if you have any other great museum-related moments, please share them with [email protected].

    By submitting your content, you’re granting permission for it to be included in the upcoming January Reset video.

    Thank you for helping us celebrate and showcase the BCLM spirit!

  • Colleague Christmas discount at the Museum shop

    Colleague Christmas discount at the Museum shop

    We’re pleased to offer our colleagues a 25% discount on selected Christmas products in the shop. This special offer runs from 28th November to 26th December.

    Enjoy festive gifts including:

    • Blankets by Han Crafted is a solo-maker small brand that creates gifts celebrating the Black Country through unique, home-inspired designs.  
    • Feliz Navibab t-shirt and more products by Punks & Chancers – Sustainable creations by Birmingham makers, supporting the people and culture of Birmingham and the Black Country.
    • Museum Decorations – Beautiful festive pieces from Millprint and the Original Metal Sign Company. It’s the perfect chance to shop thoughtfully for Christmas while supporting local makers and the Museum.

    It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up something special for yourself or your loved ones this Christmas.