Industrial Heritage Networks

Dates for In-person IHN Autumn 2026 Meetings

September 29, 2026September 29, 2026mikenevell

The in-person Industrial Heritage Network meetings, run by the IHSO project, return this autumn, and the first round of dates are now available. These meetings are a great way of meeting fellow industrial heritage people working at industrial heritage and archaeology sites and exchanging experiences.

The themes for this year’s meetings are liaising with schools and adapting to hotter summers. Our first meeting of the season was last month (August), when the North West IHN met at Helmshore Textile Museum, where there was a great turn out and lively discussion. The confirmed dates for the in-person autumn 2026 meetings so far are:

Yorkshire IHN, 30 Sept: National Musuem of Mining, Wakefield
North East IHN, 14 Oct: Locomotion, Shildon
East Midlands IHN, 16 Nov: Taylors Bell Foundry, Loughborough
West Midlands IHN, 17 Nov: Hereford Waterworks Museum, Fareham
South East IHN, 19 Nov: The Brickworks Museum
London IHN, 20 Nov: Postal Museum

If you would like your site to take part in these friendly and free meetings please email the IHSO, Dr Michael Nevell, for more details: michael.nevell@nationaltrust.org.uk

*Delegates attending the North West IHN at Helmshore Textile Museum in August 2026. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

Industrial Heritage Sites Recieve Sandford Awards for 2026

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026mikenevell

Ten industrial heritage museums and sites have received a Sandford Award for 2026. This is a leading mark of quality for heritage learning, and is run by Lincoln Bishop University alongside the Heritage Education Trust. Applying for the Sandford Award is an opportunity to reflect on, strengthen, and gain independent recognition for the learning experiences sites offer.

The industrial museums and sites that have been recognised for their excellence through recieving the 2026 Award recipients | Heritage Education Trust are:

Bradford Industrial Museum
Discovery Museum & Tyne & Wear Archives
Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre
Hopetown Darlington
Middleport Pottery
National Museum of Computing (Bucks)
National Tramway
Port Sunlight Trust
Tower Bridge
Watercress Linbe Railway Heritage Trust

The Award is respected because it is independently assessed, expert-led and based on on-site assessment visits, not paperwork alone. Holding one can also aid further grant applications. Applications for the 2027 awards open on 30 November.

Windmills & Furnicular Facing Temporary Closures

September 28, 2026mikenevell

Three industrial heritage sites are facing an uncertain future this autumn. Ellis Mill in Lincoln, Whitburn Windmill in South Tyneside, and the Spa Cliff Lift furnicular in Scarborough are all facing temporary closure.

Ellis Mill, which was built in 1798, is the last of nine that once stood on Lincoln’s Yarborough hill and is currently on Historic England’s at-risk register. Lincolnshire County Council, which owns the Grade II listed building, is planning to remove the deteriorating mill cap and sails, and to install a temporary weatherproof structure to maintain its structural integrity, ahead of a decision on repairs. The windmill has only been occasionally open to the public since 2020. A local group has proposed taking over the site. More details here: Lincoln’s ‘at risk’ windmill cap and sails to be removed

The Grade II listed Whitburn Windmill, on South Tyneside, is to have its sails removed due to structural safety concerns. The windmill was damged in a storm over the winter, causing some of the wood to come loose. South Tyneside Council said the sails will be removed in October and its “immediate priority” was to “make the structure safe”. More details here: Whitburn Windmill sails to be removed due to structural concerns

The listed Spa Cliff Lift furnicular in Scarborough was closed in August due to safety fears. North Yorkshire Council, which own the site, said it has taken the difficult decision to close the lift with immediate effect. This followed an independent engineering assessment which identified a number of issues affecting the lift’s aging infrastructure. The council said it will continue to assess the findings and provide further updates in due course. Further details here: Cliff Lift

*The sails and cap at Ellis Windmill, autumn 2024. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

Amberley Museum and Sankey Canal Looking for Volunteers

September 21, 2026mikenevell

Two industrial heritage sites are looking for volunteers and new Trustees this September: Amberley Musuem and the Sankey Canal Restoration Society.

Amberley Museum, Sussex, is looking for a new Commercial Trustee to join their proactive board and help support the work of this unique open air working museum. They are looking for a new Trustee with a particular knowledge or experience of retail and catering sales and operations to bring those skills to their board. Marketing experience would also be helpful as well as a passion for heritage and the ability to think strategically, assess opportunities and manage risk. Trustees at Amberley Museum work with staff and volunteers, and bring their own knowledge and expertise from any public, private, or voluntary sectors. Trustees need to be able to make adequate time available for this role.

The closing date for applications is 25 September. Email Surrie Everett-Pascoe, Chair of Board of Trustees, for more details here: Surrie.everett-pascoe@amberleymuseum.co.uk or see the Amberley Musuem website: http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/

The Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCRS), St Helens, will be working at the Old Double Lock on Saturday, September 26, and is appealing for people to help out between 10am and 2pm.. The team will be clearing vegetation from the lock and bywash area. Volunteers are asked to meet at Sankey Valley Visitor Centre, 275 Blackbrook Rd, Blackbrook, St Helens, WA11 0AB. The minimum age for participation is 18, but the society asks people to speak to them about opportunities for children. Tools and safety gear will be provided, but people are welcome to bring their own.

For more information, contact Ian Hornby at 07753 289765 or Neil Viggers at 07917 754548. More details here: Sankey Canal Restoration Society

*The limekilns at Amblerley Museum, Sussex. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell*

*Volunteers working at the Sankey Canal. Image courtesy of the Sankey Canal Trust.*

New Research on Archaeology and Wellbeing

September 17, 2026September 16, 2026mikenevell

Historic England has supported a special issue of the online peer reviewed journal ‘Internet Archaeology’, which showcases the power of heritage-led wellbeing and how it can help progress the democratisation of heritage, diversify engagement, and help address societal inequalities.

Amongst the articles and case studies, two are especially relevant to industrial heritage museums and sites. Firstly, an article by Desi Gradinarove looks at two Historic England’s pilot studies for using heritage and social perscribing, outlined in HE’s Wellbeing and Heritage Strategy (see Historic England Research Issue 18, 2021). The two pilots showed the potential of heritage to deliver wellbeing and provided evidence on how it can work within social prescribing, and formed the basis of an HE sponsored Heritage and Social Prescribing Guidance.

Secondly, an article, co-authored by a team led by Karina Croucher, looked at place, identity and welling in the Bradford area, with the local university working with a variety of partner organsiations to explore the importance of identity, and the role of heritage and culture, for wellbeing, cohesion and resilience across three parent projects abd seven subsidiary projects. One of these, Saltaire: People, Heritage and Place (an AHRC Place-based programme) used digital twin technologies to explore heritage, alongside creative workshops with school learners, exploring their journeys, routes, and narratives within the industrial world heritage site.

This special edition of ‘Internet Archaeology’ provides useful case studies, methodologies, and approaches on how to intergrate health and wellbeing within an (industrial) archaeology context. To access this themed addition of the journal for free follow this link: Internet Archaeology. Issue 73. Wellbeing and Archaeology. 2026.

Record Number of Industrial Heritage Sites Open for Heritage Open Days

September 11, 2026mikenevell

A record number of industrial heritage sites are opening for free as part of the 2026 Heritage Open Days running between the 11 and 20 September. Amongst the more than 250 industrial archaeology and heritage sites opening to the public are three newly renovated museums run by the National Trust in the Ironbridge Gorge (Broseley Clay Pipe Works, Jackfield China Works, The Old Furnace). The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings is also opening for free its Kibworth Harcourt Windmill, whilst English Heritage is making available Sibsey Trader Mill, and the Iron Bridge at Ironbridge.

This year’s Heritage Open Days theme highlights the extraordinary in our ordinary working lives, with more industrial sites open than ever, along with hundreds of exhibitions, walks, and talks on industrial subjects. Those sites open include more than 70 water and wind mills, more than 50 metal working and textile mill sites, and over 30 ceramic, chemical and mines sites.

There are also nearly 100 transport heritage sites open for free to visit (from canals, and railways to tramways), and nearly forty pumping stations and maritime sites.

To find an event, and an industrial site, near you, follow this link: HeritageOpenDays2026

*The newly refurbished Old Furnace and its museum building at Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, which has been re-opened by the Natioanl Trust for Heritage Open Days. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

Canal Restoration Projects in England Update

September 8, 2026mikenevell

*Open day in July at the Staveley restoration works on the Chesterfield Canal. Image courtesy of the Chesterfield Canal Trust.*

The restoration of Britain’s canals is often thought to have ended with the re-opening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, which celebrated this summer 25 years since it re-opened in 2001. However, the 21st century has seen a number of volunteer-led canal restoration projects progress across England and Wales, and several are now nearing the completion of their next stages.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust have been working on restoring the canal since the beginning of this century, and the latest section to be restored is through Staveley town centre, where work continues on rebuilding locks and a canal basin. Details here: Staveley Restoration Works – Chesterfield Canal Trust

The Cotswold Canal Trust continue their work on the ‘missing mile’ project which will see the Stroudwater Navigation waterway restored – alongside locks, bridges, and wetlands – to create a navigable route from the River Severn to River Thames. Work started this summer, after six years of planning, on Phase 1. 750m of new canal are currently being built on a new alignment necessitated by the building of the M5. Further details here: The Missing Mile: 300 Metres Dug and Discoveries Unearthed – Cotswold Canals Trust

The Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Trust continue their work on restoring 70 miles of canal. The latest addition is the building of a swing bridge at Wichelstowe. Further details here: Wilts&BerksCanalTrust

Finally, the Canal and River Trust continue their work on repairing the January 2025 breach on the Langollen Canal at Whitchurch in Shropshire. Details here: Llangollen Canal Breach Repair Updates | Canal & River Trust

*Missing mile construction east of the M5. Image courtesy of Cotswold Canal Trust.*

Next Free Greenwich Industrial History Society Talk on 8 September is about the Kent Water Works

September 3, 2026mikenevell

The next free Greenwich Industrial History talk will be on Tuesday 8th September – 19.15 for 19.30 – about the Kent Water Works. Dr Mary Mills will be talking about the water that came from Brookmill, on the Lewisham border, which has been providing high quality water to the Greenwich area for over 300 years.

As the Kent Water Company, founded 200 years ago, its network was extended to Woolwich and then on into Kent while taking over some interesting and unusual projects. The water it provided was so clean that it was used as the standard to which all London water companies should aspire. Most histories of London water supply overlook the Kent company, so Mary will aim to tell a story which has very little about cholera but an awful lot of the interesting remains around the area.

How to reserve your place at this free talk

You can book a place now by emailing greenwichindustrial@gmail.com with the subject line “GIHS KWW talk” and you will be sent Zoom log-in details just before the talk starts on Tuesday 8th.

National Trust to Re-open Two More Ironbridge Gorge Museums for September 2026 Heritage Open Days

September 1, 2026mikenevell

The National Trust will be re-opening two more Ironbridge Gorge museums in September, as part of the Heritage Open Days events. The Broseley Pipe Works and the Coalport China Museum will be free to explore everyday working lives in partnership with Findmypast as part of the Industrious Women theme. The female work force played an integral part in the ceramic industries, and this event will allow you to not only explore the lives of ordinary working women but also access the Findmypast website to begin to explore your own family history.

Broseley Pipe Works will be open on 11-13 September and 18-20 September for pre-booked guided tours. Guided tours will run on the hour from 11 – 3pm. NT Ironbridge Gorge will also have a copy of a wages ledger from the early 20th century on display along with other archive material. Pre-booking is essential as car parking spaces are limited.

The Coalport China Museum will open 11-13 September and 18-20 of September for pre-booked visits from 10am to 4pm and there will be curator talks and demonstrations, as well as the opportunity to see archive material. Pre-booking is essential as car parking spaces are limited.

To book follow these links:

Industrious Women (Broseley Pipe Works)

Industrious Women (Coalport)

*Coalport China Works by the canal. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.*

*Clay pipe making demonstration at the Broseley Pipe Works. Image courtesy of National Trust Ironbridge Gorge.*

Brixton Windmill, Clifton Suspension Bridge, & Cragside Farm Industrial Sites Listed for ‘FindMyPast’s Heritage Open Days Everday Histories’ 2026

August 31, 2026mikenevell

Three industrial sites are amongst the 24 finalists that can be voted for as part of Findmypast’s Heritage Open Days ‘Everday Histories’. Created by a partnership between Heritage Open Days and UK family history website, Findmypast, the ‘Everyday History Heroes!‘ award celebrates the historic and cultural sites that champion the stories of ordinary people – from nurses and miners to teachers, soldiers and changemakers. The award centres on the grassroots histories that often go untold: the individuals and communities who powered industries, stood up for their beliefs, and built modern Britain.

A total of 24 sites and teams have been shortlisted across England, and three of these are industrial sites.

Brixton Windmill is one of London’s last surviving working windmills and a rare reminder of the capital’s agricultural past. The listed building was once surrounded by fields, and supplied flour to generations of local residents before being rescued by the community from decline.

Clifton Suspension Bridge, in Bristol, is a listed engineering icon, with a story of ordinary people – the bakers, dre ssmakers, grocers and tradespeople who invested in its construction.

Cragside Farm is a Northumberland is a farmstead that preserves centuries of rural life, from agriculture and industry to family life and local innovation. The team at the listed Cragend Farm share the stories of the labourers, tenant farmers, and families who lived and worked here, proving that some of the most compelling histories can be found far from grand houses and famous names.

Votong closes today (31 August.). To vote online for either Brixton Windmill, Clifton Suspension Bridge, or Cragside Farm follow this link, chose your region, and click on the site: Vote for your Everyday History Heroes with Findmypast | Findmypast.co.uk