A plug for a great project that I've been working on recently with Museum Development South West. Hazards in Collections: Reducing the Risk was an innovative, collaborative projectreaching across the whole of the SW region. Grounded in core museum practice – helpingmuseums better look after the items in their care – it provided practical support, … Continue reading Hazards in Collections – Reducing the Risk

I was saddened to hear of the death of David Hockney last week. What a talent, I love his work. It made me reflect fondly on the very earliest days of my museum career, working at the excellent Cartwright Hall in Bradford. They have a great early work of his, showing a street scene from … Continue reading David Hockney 1937-2026

Two bits of news that have deadlines: If you're a conservator and would like to work with my good friends at The Wiltshire Conservation and Museums Advisory Service in Chippenham, you have until 25 May to apply for the role of Object Conservator. See details here Quite apart from all the exciting conservation opportunities, they … Continue reading Work for CMAS and share your views on Modes

One way or another, I have worked with the Modes collections management system for most of my museum career. My very first museum job was sitting in a cold office in a 14th century hall inputting MDA index cards into the old Modes+ system (sounds familiar to some of you I'm sure). Fast forward to … Continue reading More Modes

I thought I'd use this photo taken a couple of weeks ago as my Happy Holidays picture this year. I was going to add some festive text over the top, but realised that would spoil it. I was on my way to a meeting at Arundells in Salisbury on a frosty morning and thought this … Continue reading Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows

Lots of my work I do from home, or with museums who are within a days journey. Last month though, I seemed to be out and about a lot, working with clients a bit further afield. I've been busy: Helping set up a digitisation project in Cornwall Data conversion, documentation set up and training in … Continue reading On the road

Great news last week that 75 museums across the country will be receiving a share of the Arts Council/DCMS £20M Museum Renewal Fund I wanted to give a shout out to some of the museums I have worked with who have been successful. Big or small, I know these grants will make a huge difference. … Continue reading Funding success

Congratulations to the team at Arundells in Salisbury, who in the past few months have received three great votes of confidence in their work: VisitEngland has rated Arundells as a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction, remarking that a visit was 'unexpectedly captivating' and 'refreshingly personal and authentic.' Arts Council England have awarded Accredited Museum status, recognising … Continue reading Arundells awards

It seems unbelievable but May 2025 marks 10 years that I have been in business. That has prompted me to have a look back and pull together some stats on what has happened over that period: Worked with 90 organisations Tidied, converted and otherwise wrangled tens of 1000s of museum records Helped raise £18M in … Continue reading Celebrating 10 years

Head over to https://www.modes.org.uk/job-listings/technical-services-assistant/ for details of a job we are currently recruiting for at the Modes Users Association. As some of you will know I volunteer as a non-executive director for the Modes Users Association, the body that develops, licences and supports the Modes collections management software used by over 600 organisations in the … Continue reading Job opportunity – Modes