Author: mikenevell

I am the Industrial Heritage Support Officer for England, based at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.
Spring 2023 Round of Industrial Heritage Network Meetings

Spring 2023 Round of Industrial Heritage Network Meetings

mikenevell

The next round of Industrial Heritage Network (IHN) meetings is taking place over Spring 2023. The IHN networks are a chance to meet, online (and later in 2023 in person), those working, volunteering, or researching in the industrial heritage sector. IHN members will have an opportunity to discuss the theme for this latest round of IHN meetings – how the post-COVID lockdown recovery is impacting industrial heritage sites, large and small. Is it business ‘as usual’ or has the COVID pandemic led to permanent changes in the way sites and organisations deal with the public and staff? How is your site coping with any maintenance backlog, recruiting volunteers, and reaching out to schools?

If your industrial heritage site or group would like to join one of the ten regional Industrial Heritage Networks run in England by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, with funding from Historic England and support from the Association for Industrial Archaeology, email the Industrial Heritage Support Officer, Dr Mike Nevell at: mike.nevell@ironbridge.org.uk

Cromford Mills Receives Funding for Next Stage of Conservation Works

Cromford Mills Receives Funding for Next Stage of Conservation Works

mikenevell

The Arkwright Society has been awarded a £249,599 grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. This will support engagement activities at Cromford Mills and aid education about this internationally important textile site.

Critical to the long term sustainability of the site is the next phase of regeneration at Cromford Mills, which will focus on the repair and repurposing of the remaining buildings on the site, in particular the iconic ‘First Mill’ built by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1771.  With £20,000 match funding from the Duke of Devonshire Charitable Trust, a refreshed masterplan will be commissioned, outlining a roadmap for the continuing regeneration of the Mills and a business plan for their future use. Sustainability is also a key theme for the Society, highlighted by the forthcoming installation of a turbine powered water wheel in one of the historic wheel pits at Cromford Mills. This work will help the Society make informed decisions as it writes the next chapter in the Cromford Mills story.

For further details follow this link: https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/249599-funding-for-cromford-mills/

Cromford Mills courtyard
Climate Change and Heritage Case Studies wanted

Climate Change and Heritage Case Studies wanted

mikenevell

Historic England is seeking heritage sector partners to help them create a digital case study resource. They are looking for case studies under a range of themes relevant to industrial heritage sites and organisations, including climate change and heritage, retrofitting, reuse and regeneration, design and communities. 

The case studies will be used within Historic England’s e-learning courses to support learners within the sector to develop knowledge and confidence in the management of the historic environment through the planning system.   If you have worked on a case or project that you feel demonstrates good practice and could help others, please take a look at the procurement information by following this link:

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/historicengland/aspx/ProjectManage/162

Historic England Free Industrial Heritage Webinar on Elsecar

Historic England Free Industrial Heritage Webinar on Elsecar

mikenevell

Historic England’s next free lunchtime industrial heritage webinar takes place on 23 February, 1300 – 1400. This webinar will describe the work and findings from the Elsecar Heritage Action Zone which ran from 2017 – 2020.

The model industrial village of Elsecar was developed in the late 18th- and 19th-centuries by the Earls Fitzwilliam of Wentworth Woodhouse to exploit nearby abundant coal and iron reserves and much of the landscape comprising ironworks, collieries, housing and supporting infrastructure survives to this day.  The webinar will consider this nationally important landscape through the research programme, protection and management strategies, community outreach and engagement, how Barnsley Museums are building on this legacy with an ambitious programme and vision for the village, and potential lessons for elsewhere. It will be of interest to all those involved in the investigation, interpretation, management and presentation of our rich industrial heritage and how it can be at the forefront of place-shaping and regeneration.

Details of the event and how to register can be found here: https://events-emea5.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/1414989231/en/events/event/shared/default_template_simple/event_landing.html?sco-id=5413177798&_charset_=utf-8.

Salt Making at the Lion Salt Works: Fundraising Call

Salt Making at the Lion Salt Works: Fundraising Call

mikenevell

The Lion Salt Works Trust is seeking to raise £21,000 to help towards the long-term ambition of making salt again in the traditional manner. This includes the restoration of buildings at Lion Salt Works to allow the permanent on-site demonstration of the open salt making method that will help to preserve the traditional techniques of salt making.

The site is run by Cheshire West Museums, https://lionsaltworks.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/, and this is the second phase of a project that will involve funding for equipment to enable demonstrations of open pan salt making to take place at a larger scale. It will also fund research into traditional techniques to be carried out on-site in permanent larger pans and other salt making equipment.

To read more about the salt making plans and to make a donation towards this work follow this link: http://cwac.co/IBXav

Major Canal Restoration Work Starts on Montgomery Canal

Major Canal Restoration Work Starts on Montgomery Canal

mikenevell

Restoration of an unnavigable stretch of the Montgomery Canal on the Shropshire/Wales border is due to start this spring. The work on a 7km (4.4 mile) stretch of canal between Llanymynech and Arddleen, that has not been navigable since the 1930s, aims to restore the channel so that navigation will eventually be possible.  Dredging is the first stage in a £14 million project that will see the rebuilding of two bridges to remove obstructions to the canal and the creation of three substantial off-line nature reserves, to protect the canal’s natural heritage as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation.

The project is being led by the Canal & River Trust in partnership with Powys County Council, and is supported by the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust. The work is being financed under the Government’s Levelling-Up Fund. Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, said: “It is very exciting to see work start on the first major restoration of the canal in Wales for some years….Restoring the Montgomery Canal really is a project for everyone. The revived canal will bring recreation and well-being for local communities and their visitors and will protect and enhance the canal’s valuable built and natural heritage.”

Although this stage of the project will not see the Llanymynech section linked with the canal route at Maesbury Marsh in England to the north-east, the Canal and River Trust argue that restoration of this section is critical to ensure the sustainable long-term future of the whole canal, noting that “with increased economic and social purpose, the canal can be better managed and protected, saving it from falling into the disrepair that in turn would be harmful to the protected flora.”

For more details follow this link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/wales-and-south-west/the-montgomery-canal-restoration-project

27th Naval Dockyards Sociey Conference, April 2023

27th Naval Dockyards Sociey Conference, April 2023

mikenevell

The Naval Dockyards Society are holding their annual conference on 12th April 2023 in-person at National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. The event will also be available on-line. The theme of this year’s conference is the ‘Economic and Social Impact of Dockyard & Shipyard Closures & Heritage Renewal: Lessons to be Learned‘.

Subjects to be covered include what are the social and economic effects of dockyard or shipyard closures on their communities – anywhere in the world? Are closure outcomes always negative, or can communities benefit from renewal? Speakers will analyse globally diverse post-closure routes.

Follow this link for booking details: https://navaldockyards.org/2023-conference/

NT Volunteer Opportunity at Dunham Massey Mill

NT Volunteer Opportunity at Dunham Massey Mill

mikenevell

The National Trust are currently recruiting volunteers at the Mill at Dunham Massey, Trafford, Greater Manchester. The 17th century water-powered saw mill is one of the oldest buildings on the estate, as well as being one of the few working watermills in the region.

The Mill volunteers play a vital role in bringing Dunham Massey to life and will help to: make visitors feel welcome and ensuring they have a memorable visit; deliver a daily programme of tours; familiarise themselves with the character and history of the mill; help to undertake simple practical work in maintaining the Mill (training provided); and assist with visitor queries.

Informal interview dates: 8 and 11 Feb 2023. Further details on how to apply can be found here:

https://myvolunteering.nationaltrust.org.uk/opportunity-view?id=7089a738-79e4-49b7-9d01-be12ce09552b&distance=1
Funding Opportunity: AIM Brighter Day Grant Scheme for 2023

Funding Opportunity: AIM Brighter Day Grant Scheme for 2023

mikenevell

The Association of Independent Museums’ Brighter Day Grant Scheme, funded by the Arts Scholars Trust, is now open for applications from AIM members. The priority for this round of funding is ensuring that museums at risk of closure, losing vital skills and knowledge, or unable to provide effective collections care, are supported to ensure future viability. The scheme has a special focus on small museums and others that have found it difficult to access support. This is particularly relevant to Industrial Heritage Sites who are members of AIM.

The fund will support education, training, curation, and exhibition projects that address collections care and sustainability of historic and decorative arts collections. Grants can be applied for at a minimum of £1,500 and maximum of £8,000. Museums can only apply for one grant per round. Match funding is not required.

The closing date is 9am Monday 6th February 2023. Further details can be found here: https://aim-museums.co.uk/for-aim-members/grants/aim-brighter-day-scheme/

Join Historic England & AIM’s Net Zero Roundtable

Join Historic England & AIM’s Net Zero Roundtable

mikenevell

AIM and Historic England are hosting a roundtable discussion on Wednesday 25 Jan, 11-12.30 to understand what issues different orgs may be facing and what type of support they may need around working towards net zero.

Historic England is undertaking a piece of work to find out what stage organisations are at on their journey towards carbon net zero, what issues they may be facing and what type of support they may need. And they want to hear from you. Join AIM and Dan Miles, project lead for Historic England for this online roundtable to dive a bit deeper into some of the issues that may be affecting different parts of the sector.

This roundtable is open to non-members as well as AIM members, and is ideal for those with operational decision making at your museum.

To book your place on the Roundtable on 11am Wednesday 25 January click here>>

Sector net zero survey

A survey is also running to capture your feedback on the issues affecting your journey to net zero. If you can’t make the roundtable, you may want to share your input here instead.

Click here to take the survey>> 

There’s more info here: https://aim-museums.co.uk/events/historic-england-net-zero-roundtable/

This is a great opportunity to for organisations to learn and chat with each other, as well as helping AIM and Historic England understand how industrial heritage sites can be better support them.