museums worcestershire annual report

Museums Worcestershire Annual Report 2010-11 page 0

Museums Worcestershire Annual Report 2010-11

Leonard Pike, View of Worcestershire from the Malverns Acquired for Worcester City's museum collection, 2010


Museums Worcestershire

Annual Report 2010-11

This is the first annual report for Museums Worcestershire. With options appraisals and business

plans behind us, it's been a year dominated by the need to turn fine words into the reality of working

together as a joint museums service. One of the things I am particularly pleased to report is that, in

spite of all the changes, we have continued to remain focussed on our service to the public. The

following pages contain details of a great programme of exhibitions, events and activities which could

only have been achieved through the commitment of our expanded museum team. My thanks to

them all for their hard work, support and dedication through the year.

Museums Worcestershire is intended to be a rehearsal for the potential leap towards further

independence, as an organisation at arms' length from all the funding partners. We began by

successfully creating new governance arrangements through a joint committee, with support from

MLA West Midlands, and the door remains open for other museums to join us in the future. It has

been widely viewed as a successful example of a shared service in the County and within our sector.

These are of course difficult financial times and our merger has taken place against a background of

a planned £400,000 reduction in museum services over a five year period. This is challenging

enough but the potential change of ownership of Hartlebury Castle, as well as finding a use for the

current home of the City Library when it moves in 2012, adds an unprecedented level of change to

manage along the way.

We have set a course through these choppy waters by renewing our commitment to joint working in a

new forward plan. New and renewed alliances are the way to a more viable and stable future and we

are determined to continue to make progress alongside our partners, supporters and friends.

Iain Rutherford, Museums General Manager

Museums Worcestershire Statement of Purpose

We aim to enrich the lives of people from Worcestershire and beyond, today and for future generations.

We want to inspire them to deepen their knowledge of the City and County and make sense of the world.

We will do this by preserving and interpreting the museum collections and sites; sharing our passion for the

unique art, artefacts and stories that have shaped the identity of Worcestershire and its county town for over

2000 years.

Museums Worcestershire roles are to:

Enable shared experiences, discovery and interaction at the County Museum at Hartlebury Castle, The

Commandery, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, Museum on the Move and the joint collections store.

Safeguard the museum collections of Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council,

maintaining national standards of care.

Enrich the cultural heritage and future of Worcestershire and beyond.

Expand perspectives and opportunities by supporting other museums and organisations in Worcestershire

and beyond.


Museum Sites

Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum

70,001 visitors; 53 special exhibitions and events

Visitor numbers for exhibition of theatrical costumes by Kate Plumtree gave

us one of highest visitor numbers for the summer period. Linked to this

exhibition we ran a series of workshops for schools in July and also a very

successful summer programme of workshops with the artist – they proved so

popular that we added more to the programme.

Direct support for more than 200 local artists through Worcester Society of

Artists exhibition, the Worcester Open curated by Worcestershire

Contemporary Artists, the residency of the NHS Mental Health Artists group

and the collections research project with artists Alex Gordon and Lynn

Goodwin. The Crafted for You selling exhibition of craftwork increased

income earned.

International press and television interviews about Worcestershire Sauce

artefacts leading to a loan of key artefacts from the Lea & Perrins' collection

owned by Heinz and improvements to the Chemist Shop display to make it

accessible to visitors again.

Loan from the British Museum back to Worcestershire of the Perdiswell Torc

as part of the series of collections-based exhibitions.

Exhibition in partnership with Worcestershire Arts Education – Curiouser and

Curiouser: young children's imaginative journeys. Artists worked with 5

children's centres across the county and inspired by the museum collections

they produced some beautiful art for display.

Worcestershire at War workshops proved popular with local schools and for

the 4th quarter of the year we had our highest number of schools visiting.

Workshops included Dig it Up and Roman Worcestershire, Toys from the

Past, and also a new workshop created for schools Woodland Magic linking

to the natural history collection.

Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury Castle


Our Easter Event 2010 Alice in Wonderland was the best single day of

visitor numbers ever, attracting 1053 people.

Sell out Murder Mystery events at Hartlebury in November 2010 led to

bookings for private Murder Mystery events and generated more income for

the Cafe.


Our temporary exhibition on the 1950s & 1960s was extremely popular

generating excellent visitor feedback and a lot of press coverage.

We opened our new permanent exhibition which explores the history of

farming and agriculture in Worcestershire.

The Commandery


Successful events programme including the highest number of visitors ever

on a single day – Easter Monday 2010 – enjoying the historical fashion show

created in partnership with Worcester Arts & Vintage Events.

Hosting the contemporary art commissions of international artists Cornford &

Cross, funded by Arts Council England through rural arts agency Meadow

Arts.

Partnership developed with the Battle of Worcester Society, with a full

programme of events and re-enactments commemorating the date – leading

up to the 360th anniversary in 2011.

Record number of visits for special family Halloween events as well as

continuing the successful ghostwalks in partnership with Worcester live.

Virtual presence

232,895 website visitors

www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk launch page created.

All museums sites promoting events and exhibitions through Facebook

organisation pages.

Twitter used to invite enquiries about the museums' work; 1786 followers.

Research website launched (www.researchworcestershire.wordpress.com)

to make accessible research about the collections by staff and academics.


Learning and Community Projects

Museum on the Move

5,213 visits to the new exhibition Numbers Count.

Production of a handling box for Museum on the Move in partnership with the

University of Worcester and teacher trainees.

Schools and young people

13,919 visits to the museums from young people aged 0-16

We've undertaken a partnership project with The Trinity Partnership of

Primary Schools in Wyre Forest looking at Gypsy Roma Traveller Heritage

and Culture

Continuing the partnerships with the Severn Valley Railway Education team

on the Classroom at War.

Hartlebury Helpers Club have completed their Campaign Make an Impact

project which was a national initiative in partnership with the British Library.

Community

Funding has been received by the The Odell Centre in Kidderminster to work

with the County Museum on a story quilts project inspired by the museum

collection

We've undertaken a continuing programme of volunteer recruitment from the

community, from Worcestershire schools and from universities across the country.

Audience Development

Since the services joined in April 2010 we have completed

a major re-branding exercise. A thorough process including

staff consultation and external focus groups resulted in the

chosen name, Museums Worcestershire.

The brand was completed by the creation of logos, design templates, colour palettes and branding

guidelines which ensure that the brand is used correctly and effectively at all times. The next step is

now underway to build the brand image and public/peer recognition of the new name.


Friends and Partners

During the year there have been several initiatives that benefitted the wider museums community of

the county:

16 members of staff from Worcestershire museums achieved

their C&G accredited Welcome host Gold qualification in

customer service.

10 museums submitted successful bids to the small grant

fund, administered by the county's Museum Development

Officer on behalf of Renaissance West Midlands. This fund

enables museums to make small but important changes to

improve their standards and services.

Following the success of the original regional Mystery

Shopper programme in 2009-10 a second phase was carried

out in 2010-11. Four venues in the county received a visit

from a shopper based in Warwickshire, who were our

partners in the project. Each report looked at the total visitor

experience and highlighted both successes and areas for

improvement. It was good to see that two venues that had

been visited in the original programme were able to

demonstrate clear improvements by the time of their repeat

visit.

Both Malvern Museum and the Research Department of the

University of Worcester were supported in introducing an

environmental monitoring programme to collect reliable data

and improve conditions for stored and displayed objects.

The Almonry Museum at Evesham received advice and support in preparing an imaginative bid to

the Heritage Lottery Fund, which should be submitted later in 2011.

Tenbury Museum has also been given in-depth mentoring and support as it moves to a new

pattern of governance and undertakes improvements to its building and displays.

The Ashmolean in Broadway

An imaginative scheme to bring an outstation of Oxford's world-famous Ashmolean Museum to

Broadway has progressed steadily with support from Museums Worcestershire. A Steering Group

has been formed to take the idea forward, and work on surveying the property that could house the

collection has been undertaken. It is anticipated that, external funding permitting, the new centre

would open its doors in the second half of 2012.

Small Grant Fund Case Study

At Tudor House Heritage Centre in Worcester an initial visit from Museum Worcestershire's Young Consultants highlighted the need for more interactivity for younger visitors.

As a result a character trail was developed using small grant funding, as well as the provision of some dressing-up costumes and audio in one of the rooms.

Small Grant Fund Case Study

In Elgar Birthplace Museum visitor feedback had pointed out the lack of seating for elderly visitors, a core part of their audience.

An appropriate solution was found with the purchase of some lightweight, portable seats that now provide a more comfortable experience for the visitor and encourage them to stay for longer.


Museum Friends

For Museums Worcestershire's two support groups – the County Museum Society and the Friends of

Worcester City Museum – 2010-11 took them a step closer to a shared future. For the past few years

informal co-operation and linkages have existed between the two groups, with members enjoying

talks and visits organised by both. Decisions made by both groups at their respective AGMs early in

2011 will pave the way for a single, amalgamated Friends group for Museums Worcestershire, which

will come into being later in 2011.

During the past year the County Museum Society has continued its policy of providing financial help

for collection conservation by supporting the essential rewiring of the Castle three-wheel car and by

purchasing materials required for the creation of a two-thirds scale gypsy caravan.

The Marches Network

For over ten years Worcestershire has been one of the members of the Marches Curators Group

(MCG), an un-constituted regional support body that has been able to secure significant funding from

Renaissance West Midlands. As the national and regional agencies for the sector have been

changing so the MCG has decided to transform itself into a formally constituted group, the Marches

Network. This will enable us to bid for other funding streams and to work with other partners, and the

new structure should be in place later in 2011.

Partners

Over 2010-11, Museums Worcestershire have achieved projects in partnership with

Abberley & Malvern Geopark

Art in Minds

Battle of Worcester Society

BBC History of the World project

British Library

British Museum

Christopher Whitehead Language College

Contemporary Art Society

Dame Laura Knight Society, Malvern Branch

Discover History

Elmley Foundation

Friends of Worcester City Museums

Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust

Lea & Perrins (Heinz)

Marches Network

Meadow Arts

Museums, Libraries and Archives Council

Odell Centre

Other museums in Worcestershire

Renaissance in Regions West Midlands board

Rural Museums Network

Severn Valley Railway

Thinktank, Birmingham

University of Worcester

W-CA

Woodrow, Redditch

Worcester Archive Source Project

Worcester Arts and Vintage Events

Worcester Heritage Partnership

Worcester Live

Worcestershire Arts Education

Worcestershire County Museum Society

Worcestershire Guild of Designer Craftsmen

Worcestershire Gypsy Roma Traveller Partnership

Worcestershire Historic Environment & Archaeology

Service

Worcestershire Libraries

Worcestershire Regimental Museum Trust

Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum Trust

Wyre Forest Gold


Museum Collections

Acquired for the Worcester City Council collections

Object Accession

A selection of election materials mentioning specific Worcester issues posted to households in Worcester by candidates for the 2010 general election. Donation.

2010.6

Watercolour by 20th century Worcester artist Albert Hodder depicting a city scene.

Donation. 2010.7

Pastel drawing by 20th century Malvern artist Catherine Moody depicting the artist

Bernard Dunstan teaching a life drawing class. Purchased at auction for £75. 2010.8

Oil painting View of Worcestershire from the Malverns by 20th century Worcester

artist Leonard Pike. Purchased from private owner for £500. 2010.9

Hymn book and book of common prayer given to pupil attending Victoria Institute. Donation.

2010.42

Four 18th century oil and pastel portraits of the Jeffries family from Blakebrook

House, Kidderminster. Allocated to Worcester City collection under the acceptance in lieu of tax scheme.

2010.43.1-4

Watercolour by 20th century Worcester artist Drinkwater depicting a Market

Scene. Donation. 2010.44

Archive from St Johns Sports Centre and Sainsburys site excavation. Deposit from archaeological unit.

2010.45

Archive from Tything site excavation. Deposit from archaeological unit. 2011.1

Early 20th century artist instruction manuals written by artists represented in the

Worcester collection, RO Dunlop and Oswald Garside. Donation. 2011.2

Acquired for the Worcestershire County Council collections

Object Accession

Catalogue for Worcestershire-made Castle Three car. Donation. 4133

Lady's Royal Enfield bicycle, 1962, made in Redditch. Donation. 4134

Pye radio 1955 : scythe : Projector 1936 : Mamod model engine used in Worcestershire. Do nation.

4135

Bromsgrove Guild glass from Regent Palace Hotel, London. Donation. 4136

Bush 9 television set 1953 used in Worcestershire. Donation. 4137

Collection of kitchen domestic items used in Worcestershire 1950s. Donation. 4138

Romano British flat dish, Worcestershire archaeological find. Donation. 4139

Seventeenth century horse pistol used in Worcestershire. Donation. 4140

Lady's Royal Enfield bicycle 1905, made in Redditch. Donation. 4141

School photograph Queen Elizabeth's School, Hartlebury 1926. Donation. 4142

Working horse collar and bridle, purchased for £225 for display in the County Museum new agricultural gallery.

4143

3 items of early 20th century school equipment from St John's School,

Kidderminster. Donation. 4144

Spearhead, Worcestershire archaeological find. Donation. 4145

1920s caravan owned by a Worcestershire family. Donation. 4146

Nameplate of Castle Motor Co. Ltd. Kidderminster. Donation. 4147


Committee, Staff and Volunteers

Joint Museums Committee

Chairman: Mr P Gretton, Worcestershire County Council

Vice Chairman: Mr D Tibbutt, Worcester City Council

Mr A Blagg, Worcestershire County Council

Mr F Lankester, Worcester City Council

Independent Observer: Michael Cooke, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council

Permanent, temporary and casual staff

Christine Afford

Shelagh Allen

Pippa Ashmore

Tracey Ayre-Massey

Angie Bishop

Anita Blythe

Sarah Bourne

Dave Bradley

Janet Bright-Martin-

White

Carol Campbell

Jonathan Darby

Natalie Digger

Lin Fenson

Deborah Fox

Amanda Fretwell

Mari Griffiths

Chris Hallam

David Harris

Doreen Harris

Trevor Harris

Sue Hetherington

Robin Hill

Simon Holroyd

David Jarratt

Tom Kenderdine

David Kendrick

Felicity Knox

Pat Laidler

Nicky Lawrence

Helen Lee

Helen Marsh Nigel Marshall

Peter McInery

Ali Mclean

Malcolm Meacham

Chloe Murdoch

David Nash

Karen Oliver-Spry

Ron Owen

Garston Phillips

Kate Phillipson

Sue Pope

Stephanie Price

Sue Rickhuss

Vicki Roberts

Rachel Robinson

Iain Rutherford

Julie Smith

Matthew Smith

Steve Smith

Philippa Tinsley

Diana Wake

Maggie Wallace

Jean Whalley

Suz Winspear

Alex Woodward

We welcomed new staff members:

Carly Bishop, Zoe Bishop, Jo Boulton, Jo Bourke, Victoria Goodhall, John Lissemore, Bryony

McFarlane and Jan Westcott.

We said goodbye to valued staff members:

Annika Burt, Dan Roach and Daniel Stirland; Pat Laidlaw retired after working as a regular staff

member for the city museums for 30 years, but is still working with us as a casual.

Volunteers

All three museums have welcomed the contribution of work experience placements from local

schools and university undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the world.

The County Museum recruited 5 new workshop volunteers with a variety of specialist skills, including

a blacksmith and an arboriculturalist.

Worcester City Museums volunteer group of Rob Lythe, Helen Kirkup, Christine Sylvester, Janet

Hogg and Lynda Evans continued working with the archaeological collections and specialist

volunteers Rosemary Roden and David Green researched and curated the geology and beetle

collections.


Professional Expertise and Awards

Professional Activities

Members of the Museums Worcestershire team volunteer their expertise on the following

professional committees

Group for Education in Museums (Co-convenor, West Midlands)

Learning Worcestershire (Chair)

Midlands Federation of Museums & Art Galleries (President)

Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark

Council for British Archaeology

Museums Association, AMA Mentor

Museums Association, AMA Professional Reviewer

Museums, Libraries & Archives Council Fast Forward Panel

Rural Museums Network

West Midlands Archaeological Curators Research Unit

West Midlands Natural Sciences Curators Group

Worcestershire Archaeological Society

Awards

Visit England’s Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance standard achieved at all three museums.

Sandford Award for Heritage Education won by Museum on the Move.


Performance Indicators

PI Description Totals

2009/2010 2010/2011

1 Number of visits in person per 1,000 population 223.19 213.62

(124,426 visits) (119,416 visits)

a City Museum and Art Gallery 72,843 70,001

b The Commandery 17,774 19,330

c County Museum, Hartlebury 26,342 24,872

d Museum on the Move 7,467 5,213

2 Number of virtual visits via website 222,172 232,895

a City Museums and Art Gallery 204,225 215,901

b County Museum, Hartlebury 17,947 16,994

3 Number of enquiries per 1,000 population 0.74 0.73

a City Museums and Art Gallery 305 372

b County Museum, Hartlebury 110 34

4 Organised events and exhibitions n/a 138

a City Museum and Art Gallery n/a 53

b The Commandery n/a 30

c County Museum, Hartlebury n/a 55

5 Usage by children/younger people (0 - 16 years) 14,430 13,919

a City Museum and Art Gallery 884 1,597

b The Commandery 4,014 2,952

c County Museum, Hartlebury 9,532 9,370

1 Retail spend per head (turnover from retail outlets)

a City Museum and Art Gallery

£0.69

b The Commandery

£0.52

c County Museum, Hartlebury

£0.80

2 Cost per visit or usage (net expenditure divided by physical visits or usages total)


£3.13

b The Commandery

£13.16


£14.32

3 Level of earned income as percentage of subsidy


61.05%

b The Commandery

36.75%


41.84%


Annual Accounts 2010-11

Budget, £000 Outturn, £000 Variance, £000

Employees 995 956 -39

Premises 8 6 -2

Transport 12 16 4

Supplies & services 272 253 -19

Income

Sales -152 -131 21

Admissions -113 -84 29

Other, incl grants -176 -170 6

Total 846 846 0

Grants received 2010-11

Age Concern £100

BBC Learning Campaign, Dig it Up workshops £75.00

Campaign Make An Impact £328.46

County Museum Society £1200

Engage National Children's Art Day, event with Kate Plumtree £50

Engage, National Children's Art Day, work with schools £50

Learning Links Mentoring Placement Museums, Libraries & Archives Council £1500

Museums, Libraries & Archives Council, developing a shared service strategy for

Worcestershire

£5,000

Museums, Libraries & Archives Council, Mystery Shopper Family Friendly Project £200

Renaissance Training, Supporting Diversity £650

Rural Media Company £100

Science in Museums Inspiring Learning & Engagement network, geology resource boxes £250

Thinktank, Hartlebury Helpers Club £150

West Mercia Constabulary £500

Worcestershire Regimental Museums Trust, Loans box £100

Worcs Family Intervention Project £250

Wyre Forest Community Housing £500

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