MiS Autumn Meeting

5th October 2009 held at Ilchester Town Hall

The meeting began at 10.15, to give members extra travelling time because of a major road accident which had caused delays and diversions. There were twenty-nine members present. Apologies for absence were received from fifteen members. David Hill, Chairman, explained Health and Safety procedures for the day.

1.The Minutes of the AGM and the Spring Meeting on 18th May had been circulated and were agreed as a true record. They were signed by the Chairman.

2.Matters arising from the Minutes: Although Barbara Gilbert has taken over his role as Secretary, Colin Spackman will continue as Treasurer. Risk assessment papers from the May meeting will be circulated. Helena Jaeschke said that she also had details about dust-trapping mats and would have these to hand during breaks.

3.Chairman’s remarks: David Hill announced that he would be leaving his post at the Museum of South Somerset at the end of October, but, following discussion with the MiS Standing Committee, he would remain as Chairman for the sake of continuity.

4.Secretary’s report: Barbara Gilbert asked members to ensure that any current email addresses were recorded, so that agendas and minutes could be sent electronically when possible, to save postage. Hard copy will still be available as necessary.

5.Treasurer’s report: Colin Spackman reported a zero balance in the bank account, but £42.99 cash in hand. May’s £18.80 had been augmented by donations in the collection box at the ‘Somerset Routes’ exhibitions.

6.Next meeting: Monday, 15th February 2010. Members were asked to contact a member of the committee if they could offer to host the meeting.

7.David Hill introduced Ros Marsh, who welcomed MiS members to Ilchester Museum and promised that Gerry Masters would give a history of Ilchester during the afternoon and that members would have an opportunity to look around the Museum.

8.Update from regional representatives: Liz Neathey, Chairman of the South West Federation reported on a successful AGM in Bath. SW Fed will be holding four ‘Open Door’ meetings in November instead of a single autumn meeting. The federation is committed to providing opportunities for training and sharing skills and training days in collaboration with the South West Lifelong Learning Network had been oversubscribed. Vicky Dawson announced that Hilary McGowan is the new training facilitator. She urged members to join the federation and to check the website for training details of three sessions before Christmas and four in the new year. (Natalie Watson is the Somerset representative on the committee.)

9.Somerset Heritage Month: Tom Mayberry explained that it these difficult financial times, museums need to make an impact. Much is achieved, but people do not necessarily know about it. At present Somerset Heritage Month is simply an idea. There may be scope for joining with: e.g. Black History Month/ Archaeology Fortnight/ Museums & Galleries Month/ Archive Awareness Month/ Somerset Arts Weeks, to attract the attention of Somerset residents, visitors and potential funders. The Roadshows have been a good example of working together, but there is still a reticence between the groups of museums, archaeologists and archives. Discussion is needed. Natalie Watson then broke the meeting into groups to discuss possible timing, participants, events. Feedback will follow.

10. Renaissance South West Hub: Vic Harding explained the transfer of MLA South West support to Renaissance South West Hub. Copies of the 2009-2011 £7.5 million business plan and the Renaissance Report are available to members. Accreditation advice will be provided. The Renaissance South West website will soon close, and the MLA will have a single website. The Museum Development Fund is transferring to Renaissance, and MDOs will now be funded by this body. The Renaissance Review recommends a national framework of MDOs. As members of the MiS group have been well served by our MDO who is part funded by local authorities, they are urged to read the Renaissance Review and write with any concerns about the proposed changes to the MDOs role, which may see officers concentrating solely on accredited museums and may lead to a loss of regional flexibility. Members can write c/o Vic Harding,or our MDO or the SW Fed. Volunteer Development Co-ordinators have been appointed at hub museums, and will work with non-hubs 50% of the time. N.B.The south-west has the highest number of volunteers across the country. Looking ahead to the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, there will be investment to help non-hubs engage.

11. MDO Report: Natalie Watson reported on a very positive response to the Somerset Routes exhibition and good media coverage. 15,000 people have seen the exhibition and she is now running out of the Routes booklets. 20,000 people have visited the relevant part of the Visit Somerset website. Reprinting will cost about £7000 for 10,000 booklets. Would museums benefit from putting money into these, rather than printing individual leaflets? Should single route leaflets (currently available to download) be available? Natalie also reported on the results of the Give1Hour volunteering survey. 66% of heritage work in Somerset is done by volunteers, who are worth £86,000 to the economy. Natalie will send out the collation of data, and can advise on volunteer policies.

12. Museum reports: These are included in the MDO’s newsletter.

13. Finance Tips: Colin Spackman suggested using his ‘Postcard Co-op’, to get 300 cards for £30. To order, he needs eight images from participants, with a print run in March. He also explored the different ways that members used Gift Aid, and will speak in detail at the next meeting.

14. Book: ‘Roman Mosaics in Somerset’: After a lunch break, Bob Croft, County Archaeologist launched his book, jointly funded by Somerset County Council and English Heritage. He gave a summary of the discoveries in Somerset since 2001 and stressed the importance of community involvement in reporting what is being found.

15. History of Ilchester: Gerry Masters of Ilchester Museum gave a talk, illustrated with slides, on the fascinating history of Ilchester over the last 2600 years.

16. Ilchester Museum: Members then had the opportunity to visit Ilchester Museum.

MiS Autumn Meeting

Monday 5th October 2009

Ilchester Town Hall

Attendees:

Alan Davis / Frome Museum
Andrew Webb / Wells & Mendip Museum
Barbara Dillon / Chard Museum
Barbara Gilbert / Fleet Air Arm Museum
Barry Dillon / Chard Museum
Christine Sullivan / Ilchester Museum
Colin Spackman / Wellington Museum
Dave Wright / Somerset and Dorset Railways Trust
David Hill / Museum of South Somerset
David Julian / South Somerset District Council
Doria Shepherd / Somerset Brick and Tile Museum
Emily Weeks / Museum of South Somerset
Gerry Masters / Ilchester Museum
Helena Jaeschke / Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Jessica Vale / Sedgemoor Museums
Jim Nicholas / Watchet Market House Museum
John Atkins / Wincanton Museum
John Trenchard / Westonzoyland Pumping Station
Julia Hodson / Fleet Air Arm Museum
Liz Neathey / North Somerset Museum / SW Fed
Natalie Watson / Somerset County Council Heritage Service
Neil Wilson / Washford Radio Museum
Paul Wilson / Somerset Brick and Tile Museum
Peter Wallis / Somerset Cricket Museum
Ros Marsh / Ilchester Museum
Sonja Power / Montacute House
Tanya Camberwell / Museum of South Somerset
Tom Mayberry / Somerset County Council Heritage Service
Vicky Dawson / Freelance Consultant

Apologies

Alison Mason / Freelance Consultant
Barbara Wood / Thrive/Take Art
Dr Peter Cattermole / Blake Museum
Felicity Hebditch
Graham Mottram / Fleet Air Arm Museum
Janet Bell / Glastonbury Abbey
Lita Strammp / Dovery Manor Museum
Louise Perrin / Freelance Consultant
Moira Gittos / Fleet Air Arm Museum
Nick Goff / North Somerset Museum
Peter & Dee Manley / Chard Museum
Sarah Duthie / Bishops Palace
Susan Strong / Glastonbury Abbey
Tony Prior / Chard Museum