mikenevell

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

Water Tower Fans Wanted: Volunteer Opportunity

August 24, 2026mikenevell

The British Water Tower Appreciation Society (BWTAS) has spent 20 years championing Britain’s water towers with exhibitions, tours, lectures, media appearances (yes, even William Shatner, Star Trek’s Captain Kirk!). Now their chairman, secretary, and treasurer are stepping down together, and they need three new officers to keep it going.

They have a healthy bank balance, hundreds of members, and hard-won trust with tower owners and heritage bodies. However, without new leadership, they’ll have to wind up the society.

If you are interested in helping the society navigate its future please email Nat Bocking, the general secretary, at: natbocking@icloud.com

And to find out more go their blog site here: British Water Tower Appreciation Society

The Resilience and Sustainability of Publically Accessible Industrial Heritage Sites in England: New Report

August 21, 2026mikenevell

A new report on Industrial Heritage Sites in England in 2026, commissioned by Historic England and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, has been published. This report, by Heritage Innovation, examines the resilience and sustainability of designated industrial heritage sites across England.

Focussing on designated industrial heritage sites that are accessible and interpreted to the public in England, it is a major update on two previous English Heritage (now Historic England) commissioned reports, carried out in 1998 (by PLB Consulting Ltd) and 2008 (by the late Sir Neil Cossons). Drawing on desk-based research, questionnaires and interviews, its emphasis is on industrial sites open as heritage attractions, including both museums and monuments. There are sections on:

ownership
governance
function
finance
management
access
conservation
interpretation
and marketing

Having considered the findings, it concludes with a series of ten recommendations. These include strengthening advocacy, increased support for the IHSO project, revitalising volunteering, developing technical skills, continued sector monitoring, exploring new approaches to governance and funding, and researching heritage fuels. It also calls for a strategic review to set priorities for the industrial heritage sector over the next 25 years.

The report and its findings will help take forward the work of the Historic England-funded Industrial Heritage Support Officer (IHSO) project, hosted by the Ironbridge Gorge | National Trust (further details on the project here – https://industrialheritagesupport.com/ (this current website) and https://industrialheritagenetworks.com/). The IHSO project is also supported by the The Association for Industrial Archaeology.

Dr Mike Nevell, IHSO, thanked Heritage Innovations for their hard work in pulling together data from a very varied sector, noting that ‘this is the first study of the industrial hertiage sector in a generation. Its findings and recommendations will be of considerable interest to all those involved in the care and public presentation of England’s industrial heritage, especially local authorities and other public bodies, charitable trusts, and volunteer groups’.

To download the report follow this link: https://historicengland.org.uk/research/current/discover-and-understand/industry-and-infrastructure/industrial-heritage-in-england/.

Further details about Heritage Innovation’s other work can be found here: Heritage Innovation | Cultural Heritage Consultancy UK

*The Longwarehouse and Museum of Iron, part of the National Trust Ironbridge Gorge sites taken over in March 2026 from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell*

Museums Association: Income Generation for Museums Online Conference 16 September 2026

August 18, 2026August 17, 2026mikenevell

The Museums Association is running a one-day conference looking at how commercial teams can work more effectively with senior leaders and colleagues in other departments to integrate commercial thinking into core decision-making at museum sites.

Topics covered at this one-day conference, through case studies and panel discussions, include:

practical, creative and achievable ways that your museum can generate sustainable income
ways to create income while staying true to your core mission
how to overcome the challenges of recent years
future trends across retail, e-commerce, events, and corporate hire.

The cost to non-members is £69. Details on how to book here: Money Talks: Income Generation for Museums – Museums Association

Inland Waterways Association Helps Canal & River Trust to Update its Restoration Delivery Plan

August 17, 2026mikenevell

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has worked with Canal & River Trust (CRT) to help improve its revised Restoration Delivery Plan (RDP), published 28th July. This document will provide the framework for future restoration of canals not currently open to boats and managed by the CRT.

The Restoration Delivery Plan is intended to set out how the CRT will work with restoration promoters and other partners to deliver the restoration of waterways across England and Wales. As a critical friend to CRT, IWA has engaged constructively with the Trust’s senior management to ensure that restoration receives the support and strategic priority it deserves. By reinforcing the importance of a friendly approach to waterway restoration and encouraging CRT to consider restoration as a core charitable objective rather than a secondary priority, the IWA has helped move the document towards a more positive, practical, and delivery-focused one.

The IWA noted that the discussions between the IWA and CRT have also led to improvements in CRT’s internal restoration processes and a better mutual understanding of how restoration activity should be managed across the Trust’s network. This, however, needs to be matched by restoration groups becoming increasingly professional when undertaking construction work, both onsite and with design and Health & Safety paperwork.

For more details follow this link: IWA secures improvements to Canal & River Trust’s Restoration Delivery Plan – The Inland Waterways Association

Walsall Leather Museum: Plans to Relocate Museum Reversed

August 12, 2026mikenevell

Walsall Council has abandoned plans to relocate the Walsall Leather Museum, closed in April. The new Reform council administration agreed on 24 July to reverse the previous admistration’s decision to relocate the Walsall Leather Museum to the centre of town. Instead, the new council voted to reopen the museum in its current home, a Grade II listed 19^th-century leather factory.

The council said that: “The existing museum building is itself a key component of the heritage offer, providing authenticity, historical context and a visitor experience that would be difficult to replicate through relocation. Retaining the museum in its current location presents a strong opportunity to enhance Walsall’s cultural offer while maintaining a direct connection to its industrial heritage.”

One of the campaigners against the move, Lauren Broxton, is quoted by the Museum Association as saying: “After a gruelling 18 months campaigning, we are thrilled by these developments. It has been emotionally and mentally taxing on many of us and we appreciate every share, petition sign, letter, and collective support. On behalf of the campaign group, I want to thank you all for the amazing support you have given us during this time – it has been crucial to reaching this milestone. We still face challenges and obstacles ahead (we are not naive to the almost inevitable likelihood of the Conservative opposition calling this in for scrutiny) and are continuing to work hard to ensure the best outcome is secured.”

More details here: Plans to relocate Walsall Leather Museum scrapped by new Reform council – Museums Association

*The Walsall Leather Museum’s 19th century factory buildign was given Grade II Listed status earlier this year.* *Image courtesy of the museum.*

Wiltshire Industrial Archaeology Conference 2026: From Branch Lines to Tram Lines

August 11, 2026mikenevell

The 2026 Wiltshire Industrial Archaeology Conference will take place on 24th October at Devizes Town Hall, which is located on the first floor of the building. It is accessible via a wide staircase, or a platform lift. There is an accessible toilet on the first floor of the building. The programme is as follows:

9.30 am – Registration

10 am – Welcome by Mike Stone Chairman of the Industrial Archaeology Committee at Wiltshire Museum.

10.05 am – The Calne branch and its industries, by Mike Stone. Mike was curator of Chippenham Museum and regularly lectures on a wide range of subjects.

10.50 am – Coffee

11.10 am – History of the Midland South Western Junction Railway, by Nick Baxter MA in Public History. Nick is a retired secondary school history teacher. He gives history talks and guided walks as part of his ‘Wiltshire History Man’ business.

12 noon – The Wantage tramway, by Dr Richard Marks, historian. ‘Industry Past’.

12.50 pm – LUNCH BREAK.
Lunch is not provided, please bring your own, or there are numerous bars and cafes in the Market Place, just a short walk from the Town Hall.

2.15 pm – A compendium of delights relating to the Malmesbury Branch, by Mike Fenton, railway historian.

3 pm – Tea

3.25 pm – The railway, locomotives and history 1916-1919 of the H.M.E.F. Stratton, Swindon: Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Works, research by Colin Judge of the Industrial Railway Society. Presented by Malcolm Holland, local historian.

4.30 pm – Conference ends

To book follow this link: Booking for events – Wiltshire Museum

UK Home Office ‘Martyn’s Law’ Roadshow Training: Reminder for Industrial Heritage Sites

August 7, 2026August 6, 2026mikenevell

The UK Home Office is inviting stakeholders to apply to attend their upcoming roadshows focusing on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law. The new law affects all public venues, including heritage venues such as industrial sites.

The Martyn’s Law Roadshows will take place across the UK this autumn and provide an opportunity to hear from the Home Office, the Security Industry Authority, and their protective security partners about the latest updates on implementation.

Discussion will centre around the scope and requirements of the legislation, enforcement, guidance, and key concepts from the Act. There will also be an opportunity to consider the wider non-legislative protective security landscape to further support education and awareness. The intended audience for the Martyn’s Law Roadshows is individuals who oversee premises or events which will fall under the scope of the Act. You need to complete the application form by 17 August and you will hear if you have been given a place by early September.

Follow the link here to book a place: Martyn’s Law Roadshow Application

Two Industrial Buildings Have Their Listed Building Status Upgraded

August 6, 2026mikenevell

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, on the advice of Historic England, has approved an incease in protection for two industrial buildings: Low Mil, Bleasdale, North Yorkshire, and Redhills Durham Miners’ Hall, County Durham.

*Interior of Low Mill, showing some of the machinery. Image courtesy of Historic England.*

Low Mill, in Bleasdale, North Yorkshire, was listed at Grade II in 1990. Further research has now shown the mill is of more than special interest and deserves to be upgraded to II*, as it is a rare and remarkably complete example of grain watermill development in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The iconic miners’ hall, home to the ‘Pitman’s Parliament’, has been upgraded to a Grade II* listed building. It is believed to be the most outstanding example of trades union-inspired architecture in the country. Constructed between 1913 and 1915 with an Edwardian Baroque exterior, it was purpose-built as a place where the Durham Miners Association (DMA) could meet coal owners on their own terms.

Further details here:

Rare Watermill Gets Listing Upgrade | Historic Englands

Miners hall in County Durham listing upgraded to Grade II* | Historic England

IHN Guidelines

Welcome to the IHNs website!

Your News and Your Stories

Author: mikenevell