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Category: TV Feed Main News

  • Letter from the Museum’s Patron – HRH The Duke of Gloucester

    The Museum’s Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, recently sent a letter to the Museum. In the letter, The Duke reflects on Forging Ahead and how the Museum has changed since he began his patronage, and how he hopes to reschedule his planned visit in September 2022 that could not take place due to the death of HM The Queen.

    The letter has been copied below, or you can read a scan of the letter.

    “It continues to be an immense privilege to be the Patron of the Black Country Living Museum; a role I have held since 1980, the very earliest days of the Museum. It is remarkable to reflect, 43 years-on, that the hopes of those active in the community who campaigned to establish the Museum, have been more than realised. That is a great source of pride for me, and I know it will be for you, and rightly so.

    “Last year, in mid-September, I was looking forward very much to visiting the Museum again but, with the sad death of Her Majesty The Queen, just a few days earlier, those arrangements had to be postponed. In conversation with Andrew during the second week of January this year, I was pleased to receive his renewed invitation to visit the Museum, and I dearly hope that will be possible during 2023. In this context, I am especially keen to see how the Museum is now embracing times closer to contemporary life, with buildings and features taking the story forward into the 1 940s, 1 950s and 1960s. Andrew also asked for my views about going forward even further, to ensure the Museum retains its relevance to modern living, and I can certainly see the merits of doing so. I think it is important for people to understand that history isn’t just something that takes place “somewhere else” but is relevant to all of us, whether we notice or not.

    “In the meantime, I want to express my gratitude to you all, whether a member of staff, volunteer or Trustee, for the commitment you all continue to show for the cause of the Museum, and the terrific impact it has on peoples’ lives. In the prolonged difficult times that so many of the people of our country face, your steadfastness and skill is never needed more. Thank you.

    “I hope I will be able to thank you all in person before too long.”

  • Safe Together at BCLM: Allergies

    Safe Together at BCLM: Allergies

    This month, we are focusing on allergies in the workplace and what to do in the case of an emergency.

    • Please keep your food contained to prevent cross-contamination.
    • Use different utensils to avoid colleagues handing their food after yours.
    • If you do have an allergy, please tell others.
    • Check the ingredients of your food and be more thorough afterward when cleaning.

    Please read the Allergies Notice thoroughly.

    If you have any concerns please contact your Line Manager.

    Thank you.

  • People News (10/02/2023)

    Welcomes

    Early January we welcomed Mark Farrell as an Electrician. Mark has over 30 years’ experience and will be helping our apprentice Jake to develop his skills.

    More recently, Toni Tart joined us as Sales & Ticketing Administrator. Toni has a wealth of customer service experience and a strong sales background, having most recently worked at Motorpoint Car Sales.

    This week we welcomed Pauline Abraham to our Cleaning team. Pauline has over 20 years’ cleaning experience working for many local organisations and will be supporting the Museum over weekends.

    Farewells

    Helen Farrell from the Cleaning team left earlier this month, we wish Helen all the best for the future.

    After just over 6 years at the Museum, Demi Whitehouse (Enterprise Team Manager) will be sadly leaving us in mid-February to take on a new role as Catering Operations Manager with Drayton Manor Park and Zoo. This is an exciting promotional role for Demi and we wish her every success.

    Louise Troman, Project Coordinator Forging Ahead, will also be leaving us in mid-February after just over 2 years at BCLM. Louise’s role was a  temporary role to support the Forging Ahead Project and as the project is reaching its final phases Louise has understandably secured a permanent role with an organisation focusing on heritage restoration. Louise leaves with our sincere appreciation for her hard work and our good wishes for her new role. Hopefully Louise will be back to see results of her contribution later in the year.

     

    Sadly Departed

    Our deepest sympathies to family and friends of colleagues sadly departed over the last month:

    Mervin ‘Bob’ While (Volunteer in the Historic Character team, previously Friends of BCLM, from 2013 to 2020)

  • Annual Leave Information

    Annual Leave Entitlement

    We are pleased to confirm that the Museum will be honouring the additional bank holiday to mark the King’s Coronation (on Monday 8 May 2023) and this will be included in to the 2023/2024 annual leave entitlement. As a result, holiday entitlement for the 2023/2024 holiday year will increase to 34 days for full time employees and will be pro-rata for part time employees. This will be reflected against individual leave entitlements on Myhrtoolkit and Planday.

    Annual Leave Buy & Sell Scheme

    Employees are now able to submit requests to purchase additional annual leave or sell annual leave for the 2023/2024 leave year. Please note the maximum amount of annual leave an employee may buy or sell is the equivalent of one contractual week, however, the total holiday entitlement inclusive of any carry over or purchase of holiday cannot exceed 38 days for full time employees or the equivalent for part time employees. This means for the 2023/2024 leave year a full time employee who will be entitled to 34 days may only submit a request to purchase 4 days holiday.

    Employees who wish to make a request must familiarise themselves with the Museum’s Buying & Selling Annual Leave Scheme and complete a Buying & Selling Annual Leave Form which can be found here. Requests under the scheme will require approval from the employee’s Line Manager and the People & Culture team.

    If the request to buy or sell annual leave is approved, employees will be notified of the resulting change in their monthly pay. Adjustments in pay as a result of the scheme will commence from April, for a period of 12 months.

    Requests must be received by the People & Culture team by no later than Friday 10 March 2023.

    Requests to Carry Over Annual Leave

    As a reminder, ordinarily untaken leave cannot be carried forward into the next leave year and will be lost. However, in exceptional circumstances a maximum of one contractual week may be carried over from one holiday year to the next. Please note that the total holiday entitlement inclusive of carry over (if approved) cannot exceed 38 days for full time employees or the equivalent for part time employees.

    Approval must be sought from an employee’s line manager and the People & Culture team if an employee wishes to carry forward any annual leave into the next leave year. Employees should complete a Carry Over of Annual Leave Request Form which can be found here.

    All requests for carry over of annual leave need to be submitted 4 weeks prior to the end of the leave year.

    If you have any queries in relation to the above please contact the People & Culture team ([email protected])

  • Santa Hunts – staff feedback!

    Hello all,

    The Programming team are looking for staff feedback on Santa Hunts that took place in Dec 2022.

    Please share any feedback you may have, whether you worked the event, came as a visitor or would like to share constructive feedback – every little helps!

    ☞ Santa Hunts Survey

    Thank you.

  • Safe Together at BCLM: Slips, Trips and Falls

    Safe Together at BCLM: Slips, Trips and Falls

    For this month’s safety notice, we are focusing on slips, trips and falls and what to do in the case of an emergency.

    To reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls, please read the following:

    • Cleaning up or reporting spillages
    • Keeping walkways clear
    • Avoiding trailing wires
    • Reporting worn flooring
    • Wearing suitable footwear for the conditions underfoot

    You can read the February Health and Safety notice now, via the link.

    If you have any concerns please contact your Line Manager.

    Thank you.

  • Motoring down memory lane: rare machine arrives at Black Country Living Museum

    Motoring down memory lane: rare machine arrives at Black Country Living Museum

    A 1959 DKR Defiant scooter, manufactured by the now defunct Wolverhampton-based automotive manufacturer DKR, has been acquired by the Museum and is now on display, helping to keep this little-known story of automotive history alive.

    Relatively affordable, reliable and convenient to use, scooters became a popular means of transport during the 1950s and 60s. Retailing at £188 1s 3d (approximately £4,488) when new, the DKR Defiant was a Black Country-built machine that aimed to capture a share of this market.

    Established in 1957, DKR took its initials from the three founders of the company: Barry Day, Cyril Kieft and Noah Robinson. Many of the scooter parts, including the body panels, were made locally by the Willenhall Motor Radiator Company, with the machine itself assembled in workshops at Pendeford Airport, Wolverhampton.

    Powered by a 197cc fan-cooled Villiers two-stroke engine and a four-speed gearbox, the scooter could reach a respectable top cruising speed of around 60mph. The Defiant had a rather unusual styling, with the large front fairing offering good weather protection for the rider. Another unusual design feature was a storage locker, with a drop-down lid that converted into a small picnic tray for meals or drinks on the go.

    Commenting on the acquisition, the Museum’s Transport Manager, Tim Shields, said: “The DKR Defiant is a rare example of a Black Country-built scooter, of which few survive. This stylish, high quality and well-engineered machine fills an important gap in our collection. Not only were they a user-friendly means of transport, but scooters also came to symbolise Mod culture and youth fashion.

    “This is a theme we will be exploring as part of our new development. Our 1940s-60s high street, due to open later this year, will give us the opportunity to share these stories.”

    Although DKR launched several models of scooter, production ceased in 1966. This was largely due to falling sales and increased competition from foreign manufacturers, such as the Italian-built Vespa and Lambretta, which eventually came to dominate the market throughout Europe.

    Visitors will be able to take a look at the DKR Defiant alongside the rest of the Museum’s transport collection, which also includes motorcycles by Black Country manufacturers, a 1924 Guy-Morris fire engine and several buses and trolleybuses.

  • Christmas Feedback

    Christmas Feedback

    Hi all,

    We are looking for your feedback regarding our 2022 Christmas events and programme.

    Please cast your mind back to any Christmas events you may have worked or attended as a visitor, and share your feedback in the survey below.

    2022 Christmas Staff Survey  

    If you have any questions, please email [email protected] 

    Thank you for all of your hard work and continued support.

     

  • Entering the Museum

    Hi all,

    Please can all staff use the green door to enter the Museum.

    Please do not walk through the brown delivery gates when open, this is extremely unsafe and violates our Health and Safety policy.

    Our brown delivery gate has a sensor which operates on movement; therefore, this enables the gates to remain open allowing public and external vehicles to enter the Museum.

    We would like to kindly remind every Line Manager to speak to their team during morning briefings and make sure everyone follows this important update.

    Thank you for your cooperation.

     

  • Stallholders at the All Staff Briefings

    At the recent All Staff Briefings, there were stalls run by the following organisations. If you missed the opportunity to speak to them, please email People & Culture to be put in touch: [email protected]

    • Health Watch Dudley
    • National Express
    • Cycle to Work/Learn to Ride
    • Discover Dudley employee discount card 2023
    • Solutions 4 Health
    • Dudley Home Library
    • Dudley Empowerment Partner
    • Community Information Directory
    • Learn to Swim
    • Shared Lives