Category: TV Feed Main News

  • Disabled Access Day

    Saturday 16 March 10am – 4pm

    Join us on Disabled Access Day and ‘try something new’ in one of the many free activities we’ll be running at the Museum to celebrate great access and inclusion.

    Meet Canine Partners and see their Assistance Dogs in action or take part in one of our free “try something new” workshops – maybe an accessible exercise class or how about a Laughter Yoga Session?

    Visit our disability information hub (in Hall 1, Rolfe Street) with over 20 stalls; discover artefacts from our historic collection with specialist talks throughout the day; or join one of our Deaf Friendly or Audio Descriptive Tours.

    All activities are free of charge. Booking Essential.

    Contact the Sales and Ticketing Team on 0121 520 8054 or book via email: [email protected]

  • Next Volunteer Coffee Morning – Change of Date

    The next volunteer coffee morning has been rescheduled for Friday 5t April. We apologise for any inconvenience and hope you can still come along.

    Time and location remain the same: Rooms 2/3 at 10:30am.

    For info, dates of future coffee mornings are below:

    Monday 29th April
    Tuesday 21st May
    Wednesday 26th June
    Thursday 25th July
    (Aug – Dec dates to be confirmed later in the year)

    Kind regards

    The Volunteer Team

  • Pool Car back in action

    Pool Car back in action

    The pool car is now back at the museum and is available for use. It can be booked as normal through its dedicated calendar.

    All staff are reminded that the pool car (or one of the museum vans) should be your first choice when going off site on museum business. 

    If you do use your own vehicle for museum business you must have ‘business use’ included and listed on your personal insurance policy otherwise you may find yourself not insured.

  • Malicious Emails

    Following various malicious emails that have been doing the rounds over the last few days, here’s a little information.

    The attack basically uses social engineering, i.e tricking people. The email contains no viruses or malware, simply clicking the link will do nothing to your device or computer, this attack is purely relying on human behaviour to succeed.

    It works like this;

    • An email is sent to a user from someone they know with a familiar subject line and a button to click usually labeled ‘Read email‘.
    • When clicked the button opens a webpage with the museums logo and a box to enter their password.
    • The user enters their password in to the box.
    • The attacker then uses the password to log into their email account and send more emails out, and so the cycle continues.


    There are just two simple rules that will protect you (and the museum) from the majority of attacks on both your work and personal systems.

    • Do not click links in unfamiliar or unusual emails
    • NEVER EVER EVER enter your password to any page you’ve arrived at from a link in an email.


    Be rest assured in the specific email that’s been doing the rounds recently clicking the button/link in the email alone will not do any damage, it is entering the password that causes problems.

    Although we use various tools and methods to protect the museums systems and the majority of malicious emails it’s very hard for us to block every single one and our strongest protection comes from you.

    As far as we can tell the attack primarily targets corporate users such as the museum and not personal accounts, although this may change and there are many similar emails around so stay vigilant.

    Top tip: If you ever feel any of your personal accounts have been attacked in any way, from any source, change your password, this will stop the large majority of attacks.
    Remember passwords should be unique (never use the same password on multiple sites), should be made up of letters, numbers and symbols, and be of decent length (over 12 characters). Short phrases make really good passwords that are easy to remember.

    If you have any question of queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch via your line manager.

  • Record visitor numbers for Feb half-term

    Over the course of the 9 days of February half term, we welcomed an astonishing 14,804 visitors with 12,258 visitors attending between Monday 18 & Sunday 24 Feb. This is 63% ahead of budget and 43% more than the same week last year.  This makes Feb half term 2019 the best on record by far and actually comparable to Whitsun Week in 2018.

    What’s more – people had a great time!  12 of the 19 reviews left on Tripadvisor over the last 7 days awarded the Museum 5 stars, including the one below:

    ‘Marvellous Museum’

    I had an absolutely lovely day at Black Country Living Museum. Such a lovely environment filled with excitement, joy and happiness… I had a very special and memorable day and I will totally come back.

    Well done and thank you to everyone involved!

  • Update: Pension contributions

    The government introduced automatic enrolment in 2012 to help employees and workers get the retirement they want. Since then, millions of employees and workers, supported by contributions from their employers, have begun saving into a workplace pension. The next step is for the minimum amount paid towards your workplace pension – by the Museum and by you – to increase to 8%. This will help towards building your pension pot for your future.

    From 6 April 2019, for individuals in the Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme, the Museum will contribute 4% (currently 3%), and you will be required to contribute 4% (currently 3%) from your qualifying earnings, making a total of 8% paid into your retirement savings.

    Did you know that:

    • Saving into a workplace pension is a simple and easy way to help ensure you get the kind of retirement that you want
    • The earlier you begin saving, the more time your savings have to grow. You can also choose to save more than the minimum if you wish
    • The money will remain yours, including the contributions made by your employer, even if you change jobs
    • When you retire, you will be able to choose how to use your pension savings
  • Peaky Blinders Nights – Staff & Volunteer Tickets

    Peaky Blinders Nights tickets go on sale to Members, staff & volunteers on Wed 27 Feb.

    Staff & volunteers can purchase their tickets between 8.30am and 9.20am  on Wednesday morning in the Admissions building (card payments only) and from then on, during normal admissions’ hours.

    Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the ‘Staff tickets for Events‘ Policy which has been slightly changed in light of feedback received last year.

  • Research opportunity to visit Imperial War Museum

    We have 10 places available on a voluntary research visit to the Imperial War Museum on Tuesday 19 March 2019.

    Why are we going?

    The Imperial War Museum (https://www.iwm.org.uk/) explores conflict and its impact on people’s lives, recording conflict and difficult histories. We are visiting to take inspiration from IWM, to share ideas and to see how other museums tackle difficult histories within a learning environment. We will be looking at trails, activities and interpretation methods used to inform visitors. Everyone attending will be asked to complete an activity work book, which will be collected at the end of the visit. This is a great opportunity to see the work of a highly regarded national museum, and to get to know other members of staff, volunteers and supporters.

    Exhibitions:

    Making a New World: explores how the First World War shaped society, using immersive live music, performance and public debates.

    The Holocaust Exhibition: The Holocaust Exhibition tells the story of the Nazi persecution of the Jews and other groups before and during the Second World War.

    MIMESIS: African Soldier: Millions of African and Colonial soldiers contributing to Victories throughout the First World War.

    Moments of Silence: Moments of Silence, exploring the origins, history and future of remembrance rituals.

    Life after the First World War in Photography: Through a rich collection of photographs, discover the innovation and resourcefulness that shaped regeneration of the World Post-War.

     

    Who is it available to?

    Any member of staff or volunteer.

    Please note, the cost of the trip is being funded by the Museum. You will not be paid to visit the Imperial War Museum unless you are a contracted staff member and have permission from your line manager to attend as part of your role.

    How to reserve your place?

    If you would like to attend, simply email [email protected] leaving your name, team and contact telephone number.  Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

    Pick up and drop off

    Leaving BCLM at 8am and leaving London at 5pm

    Approx. return time at the Museum 8.00-8.30pm

  • Health & Safety Policy Update

    The Museum’s Health & Safety Policy has been revised and is now available within the ‘Documents’ section of the Intranet. Revisions take into account the Museum’s interim staffing arrangements and will be further revised when the new Management structure is in place.

    All of us are responsible for our own individual safety and those of others at the Museum. Please take this opportunity to read through the revised Policy to remind yourselves of your individual and collective responsibilities.

    Jonathan White

    Operations Manager

  • Pool Car currently out of action

    Pool Car currently out of action

    Please note the Pool Car is currently off the road following an accident on Monday – repairs are in hand and we will let you know as soon as it is back up and running.

    If you have booked the car over the next few weeks you will unfortunately need to make alternative arrangements.