The current health crisis is having a severe impact on all our lives. We are having to learn to do things differently and in some cases not to do things at all. The industrial heritage and archaeology sector is no different. Museums are closed, access to buildings, monuments, and landscapes restricted, and many professional archaeology units and specialist heritage architectural practices closed or highly restricted in the work they can undertake. Furthermore, there is a blizzard of advice and a growing number of potential sources of funding that might be useful for industrial heritage bodies, charities, groups, and societies.
How to navigate this new landscape is something we are all facing. Buildings, monuments, and collections still need maintaining. We can still learn from others experiences, even if that is remotely. The IHSO project aims to keep you informed in these difficult times through a variety of online means:
We are using our Facebook pages for regular (sometimes daily) updates about new initiatives, funding and advice. Please join in the conversation here – we’d like to hear how you and your group and site are coping: https://www.facebook.com/IHSOengland/
On twitter we are sharing on a daily basis as many experiences from as many industrial heritage and archaeology sites and groups as we can. Follow us @IHSOengland
We also have a dedicated website for the IHSO project which we are using as the main platform for regular updates on funding, advice, potential training opportunities and calls to take part in surveys. You can sign up for regular blog alerts about posts here by scrolling down the page and clinking on the ‘Subscribe’ button: https://industrialheritagesupport.com/
We shall also be updating regularly these Industrial Heritage Network pages about future meetings and initiatives. If you have news about your organisation, requests for help, or advice to pass on, we can post updates here on our IHN regional webpages.
There will come a time later in the year when we can meet face-to-face again. Until then we shall do as much networking as we can remotely.
Industrial Heritage Networks 
Dear Mike,
Thanks for this posting. Here in Yorkshire MDY had a planned Industrial Collections Network meeting on the 23rd. at the National Coal Mining Museum for England.
In the light of the lock-down we decided to hold our first Yorkshire Industrial Collections Network “Brew Up” meeting last week using Skype for Business. It was the largest “virtual forum” which we have run since the lock-down began with 21 attendees from a variety of museums and industrial and transport heritage organizations.
The feed-back has been very positive and, if resources allow and there is an appetite for more we will look to programme in a monthly meeting with one guest speaker and an opportunity to share experiences and ideas in these unparalleled and challenging times.
Keep well and stay safe!
Dieter
Dieter Hopkin
Museum Development Officer
Museum Development Yorkshire
York Museums Trust
St. Mary’s Lodge
Marygate
York
YO30 7DR
07970 977217
dieter.hopkin@ymt.org.uk
http://www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk
Please note that from 1st. May 2018 my normal working week will be Monday – Wednesday inclusive. I will aim to respond to any enquiries within one working week. If your enquiry is more urgent, please contact one of my other Museum Development Yorkshire colleagues.
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