Really excited that The Right Stuff? exhibition has opened at Bridport Museum. This exhibition/activity invites visitors to explore some of the collections conundrums we face everyday in museums. Do we need another sewing machine? How relevant is this item? Have we got space? Does the collection really reflect the lives and stories of our communities? … Continue reading The Right Stuff?

Trowbridge Museum entrance Almost 6 years ago to the day back in May 2015 I remember sitting down with Clare at Trowbridge Museum to start shaping up what was to become 'Onwards and Upwards', their multi-million pound Heritage Fund supported redevelopment and expansion. We had lots of large sheets of paper, lots of post-it-notes and … Continue reading Trowbridge Museum – Reopening

As we return to shops and book haircuts, museums have to wait a little longer until later in May to reopen. For Athelstan Museum Malmesbury this will be doubly significant, as reopening will also be the first chance to see their newly purchased Turner watercolour on show, in  a fully redesigned display area. This will … Continue reading Turner in Malmesbury – unveiling

I've been lucky enough to have the chance to work with the team at Bridport Museum for the last few years on various projects. If you'd like to try the same, head on over to their website where you will find details of 3 fixed term contracts which are currently available: Collections Co-Ordinator, Engagement Co-Ordinator, … Continue reading Jobs at Bridport Museum

A huge well done to my friends at Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury, where the work of the dedicated volunteers who run every aspect of the museum has recently been recognised by two awards. Volunteer stalwart Bill Reed received the Marsh Volunteers for Museum Learning Award for South West England for the Malmesbury Voices oral history project … Continue reading Congratulations Malmesbury volunteers

Thanks to the generosity of Biffa Award and the success of the previously funded projects, I'm delighted to be working with AIM on a further round of History Makers grants. The programme is now open for Expressions of Interest. Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £75,000 to create new exhibitions telling the … Continue reading Does your museum have a History Maker?

The Modes Users Association (MUA) have just released the latest version of their Modes Complete museum collections management software (stop reading now if you are already yawning, but please read on if you are a bit of a data geek like me). For the last few months I've been part of the team beavering away … Continue reading Under the bonnet of Modes

Just wanted to say congratulations and give a plug for the refreshed websites of Chard Museum and Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury. Both have been given a makeover and recently relaunched as part of wider development work at both museums to improve user communication and offer. These two museums are 100% volunteer run and although physically closed … Continue reading Athelstan and Chard – website refresh

Wow. How the world has changed since I last posted on here..... First and foremost I hope you and yours are well and safe. A window into my life over the last month would be: Work/Serious stuff As a freelancer I was already used to working from home, but now share the office with my … Continue reading What a difference a month makes

Wasn't quite sure what to call this post - such unprecedented times. Talking to friends and colleagues over the last few days its clear we are all learning to adjust together to this new way of being. Not easy, but it is temporary and we will come out the other side. Museums and other cultural … Continue reading Hang in there