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Category: Museum Notices

  • Board of Trustees update

    Board of Trustees update

    We are pleased to share that recruitment for the next Chair of the Board of Trustees is now live with details available here.

    We’re also pleased to announce that Phil Atkins has joined the Board of Trustees having been nominated by the Association of Black Country Authorities. Phil brings extensive experience in public service and healthcare leadership, including as a Dudley councillor and Operations Manager at Russells Hall Hospital, alongside a strong connection to the Black Country and its communities. You can read more about Phil and our other trustees here.

    This month also sees a new appointment to the Board of the Enterprises Company in Olivia Horner, Director of Commercial and Operations at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. Olivia already knows the Museum well and we look forward to benefitting from her extensive experience in growing commercial, experiential and filming activities at Chatham in the years ahead.

  • All Colleague Briefings – September 2026

    All Colleague Briefings – September 2026

    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 for 2026.

    These briefings will all take place in the Workers Institute on:

    • Tuesday 15 September
    • Thursday 17 September
    • Saturday 19 September

    All the briefings 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 September 2026​​

    Slips will be available for colleagues to submit questions or comments in advance.  These can be submitted anonymously, which is especially helpful for anyone unable to attend or who prefer not to speak up on the day. We will place some in break areas, but they will be available from line managers at morning briefings.

    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.

  • Annual Report & Accounts 2025

    Annual Report & Accounts 2025

    Our Annual Report & Accounts for 2025 has now been published.  The full report can be found by clicking the below link.

    Annual Report & Accounts 2025

    You can find out more about the Museum by reading our annual reports, which set out our major achievements, performance, public benefits and future plans. Previous reports are available on our website.

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • Charlie Millward (1962-2026)

    Charlie Millward (1962-2026)

    We’re deeply saddened to share the news that one of our colleagues – Charlie Millward – passed away in June.

    Charlie began his time at the Museum all the way back in 2015 in the role of Demonstrator. During his 9 years with the Historic Character Team, Charlie wore many hats, which saw him in many different roles across the site. Most commonly, however, you would often find Charlie in his usual home at the Mine and Racecourse Colliery area.

    Many of you may remember Charlie portraying the key character of Dudley Wood, who was part of the Christmas programme as a facilitator supporting the busy Santa Hunts. In more recent times, Charlie played an important role in bringing the story of Langers Army and Navy stores to life; he contributed some of his own experiences and stories to the building that will be used in training and passed on to future new recruits.

    In 2024, Charlie accepted a permanent contract with the Museum, further solidifying his place in the Historic Character team. He further developed his skillset through training to become a guide for school groups. It was wonderful seeing Charlie progress his career with us, which continued to the very end as he still attended work in the weeks before he passed away. This only emphasises his love for the Museum, and we’re so grateful for his unwavering commitment over the years.

    Our thoughts are with Charlie‘s wife Carolyn and their family and friends at this time.

    We’d like to remind colleagues that the EAP continues to be 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”.

  • Weather Update – Adaptations on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June

    Weather Update – Adaptations on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June

    Dear colleagues,

    We have been closely monitoring the continued updates from the Met Office regarding the hot weather conditions forecast for Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June.

    The Museum will remain open, and the adverse weather response group has met and decided on the adaptations outlined below. We’ve been working on these changes so that we can safely open, both to provide a safe working environment for colleagues and a great experience for our visitors.

    We have made the following adaptations for our visitors:

    • We will be adapting outdoor tours and demonstrations and delivering these as talks in more shady areas.
    • Although Thursday is usually a dog entry day, we will not be allowing entry to dogs this Thursday.
    • Cups for water will be available from food and drink outlets, and ice will be available from the Elephant & Castle Pub.
    • While Hobbs’ Fish and Chip Shop will be closed, all other usual food and drink outlets will open as normal.
    • While our usual historic transport will not be running, we will still have Doris (our accessible transport) available for those who require it.
    • Additional fans will be provided where possible.
    • The Peaky Blinders Filming Location Tours on Wednesday will go ahead with a slightly adapted route.

    For any colleagues who usually work in Canalside Offices, we ask that if you can safely do so, please work from home. This will allow us to make more space in this office for those who are required to work at the Museum to access air-conditioned spaces for hot-desking and for taking breaks. When working from home, please do follow our usual guidance on working safely.

    To ensure the air-conditioning is at its most efficient and can provide an adequate cool space for breaks, all windows and blinds must be kept closed in Canalside Offices and air-conditioning must remain on.

    For colleagues who are required to be on-site:

    • Break spaces will be made available in Canalside Offices and a classroom in the Learning Centre, so that front line colleagues have access to air-conditioned spaces during breaks. For Canalside, this includes the three meeting rooms as well as the kitchen.
    • Front line colleagues will have an increased number of breaks.
    • For office-based colleagues who are not based in Canalside Offices and need to be on-site, we encourage you to hot-desk in Canalside so that you can access air-conditioning. Office spaces will close at 5pm, so office based colleagues will need to leave before 5pm.
    • Water will be provided in billy-cans in all historic settings, and we encourage you to bring water bottles with you.
    • There are sunscreen stations available for all in the following rest areas: Guide Hut, Doo’s, and the Infant Welfare Centre. There is also sunscreen available in the cleaning team rest area.
    • For all hourly paid front-line colleagues, you will be paid for your full shift and the unworked hours will be offset with training at a later date.

     

    If you’re here at the Museum, please remember our top tips for sun safety:

    • Ensure that you drink plenty of water – please do bring water bottles.
    • If you are working outside, please make use of the shade wherever possible. For guides, please bring an umbrella to use as shade while moving around the site and stop off at water stations where needed.
    • Apply factor 30+ sunscreen.
    • Avoid heavy or tight-fitting clothing.

    For any colleagues who have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please contact your line manager.

     

    Thank you,
    Museum team

  • Back to the Floor – Step Into the Visitor Experience

    Back to the Floor – Step Into the Visitor Experience

    We all have our routines, the same desk, the same screen, the same meetings, and probably the same outfits on rotation.

    This July, we’re launching Back to the Floor – a new opportunity for office based colleagues to spend a day supporting our front-of-house teams across the Museum.

    This initiative directly supports one of the Museum’s core strategic priorities that we shared with all colleagues in January: Deliver excellence in every experience. By spending time alongside our visitor-facing teams, we strengthen our understanding of the experiences our visitors, colleagues and partners have every day.

    Whether you’re welcoming visitors, supporting cleaning or our enterprise operations, assisting with events, or stepping into one of our Historic Character roles, this is a chance to experience the Museum from a completely different perspective.

    Think of it as a shadowing or immersion experience – an opportunity to step away from your usual routine, connect with colleagues across departments, and gain valuable insight into the day-to-day realities of visitor-facing work.

    Why get involved?

    • Contribute directly to our strategic priority to deliver excellence in every experience
    • Build stronger relationships across teams
    • Gain a fresh perspective on how the Museum operates day to day
    • Develop a deeper understanding of the visitor experience and what excellence looks like in practice
    • Experience the challenges, pace, and rewards of frontline roles
    • Step away from the desk and experience the Museum in action

    How it works

    A range of shifts are available across different teams and locations. You can sign up: Back to the floor Sign up

    On the sign up sheet you’ll find:

    • Dates and times for all available shifts
    • Details of what each role involves
    • Guidance on what to wear
    • Building notes for anyone taking part in Historic Character roles

    Managers have been closely involved in planning the initiative and are fully supportive of colleague participation. Time away from normal duties will be accommodated to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part, as participation in Back to the Floor is mandatory for all office-based colleagues.

    We hope you’ll take this opportunity to learn something new, meet colleagues from across the Museum, and experience a different side of what we do. Most importantly, this initiative is about ensuring we all play our part in delivering excellence in every experience – for every visitor, every colleague and every interaction.

    We hope you’ll take this opportunity to learn something new, meet colleagues from across the Museum, and experience a different side of what we do.

    Let’s get back to the floor – together – and deliver excellence in every experience!

    Building notes: