Category: IGMT

IHSO Project Extended to 2026

IHSO Project Extended to 2026

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The Industrial Heritage Support Officer (IHSO) role, occupied by Dr Mike Nevell, has been awarded further funding to enable it to continue its work to preserve England’s industrial heritage. IGMT is delighted that our partners at Historic England and the Association for Industrial Archaeology have agreed to fund the post, which is vital for the support of the wider Industrial Heritage sector and a mark of the importance of IGMT as a leading Industrial Heritage organisation. 

The IHSO project is funded by Historic England and the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA), and began in September 2012. It is managed by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. The project aims to support the approximately 600 industrial heritage sites preserved and open to the public in England by developing partnerships and promoting best practice, among other things. 

In 2024 the project supported more than 400 sites through one-to-one advice, network meetings, site visits, seminars, websites, and social media. At the end of March the first round of Industrial Heritage Network meetings for 2025 will take place online, and on 25 April, Mike will be talking at an event hosted in Coalbrookdale, organised by the Boiler and Engineering Skills Training Trust, about the need for trained engineers to run industrial heritage sites.

Project highlights for 2025 to 2026 include a major report on the industrial heritage sector in England; more online training seminars to support the sector; and the continuation of the Industrial Heritage Networks. These are key to bringing together people working at industrial sites so that they can exchange experience and best practice.  

For further informatioon about the project renewal follow this link: https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/news/ironbridge-news/ihso-for-england-project-receives-funding-for-2025-2026/

Industrial Heritage Support Officer, Dr Mike Nevell, outside Abraham Darby’s 1709 blast furnace, Coalbrookdale. Image copyright IGMT.

New Ironbridge Volunteers Begin Work on Next Phase of Sentinel Engines Restoration

New Ironbridge Volunteers Begin Work on Next Phase of Sentinel Engines Restoration

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In September the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) launched a recruitment drive to find new volunteers to help them complete the second phase of the project to conserve two Sentinel locomotives at Coalbrookdale. IGMT found them through a range of outlets, including the Shropshire Star, the Telford Journal, and BBC Radio Shropshire, and they started work omn 18 October.

The two Sentinel Shunting Locomotives (left), which date from the 1860s, are historically important parts of the Trust’s collection. They were used by the Coalbrookdale Company on their internal railway system. In the 1920s, to reduce running and material costs, the Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd. modernised and converted locomotives from a boiler and cylinder system to a boiler with chain drive to both axles, and the locomotives within this project are the oldest locomotive conversions by Sentinel that are known to have been preserved. They are now on permanent display beneath the arches of the viaduct that passes through Coalbrookdale for museum visitors and passersby to see.

In 2023 the Trust secured funding from the Association for Industrial Archaeology to carry out work to conserve the engines, whose condition had deteriorated over time due to weather conditions. While the engines will not run again, the aim of the project is to stabilise their condition and conserve them so they can continue to be enjoyed by future visitors to the Ironbridge Gorge and its museums.

Under the guidance of Trevor Barraclough, the team began work on this second phase in October 2024. The work will involve wet and dry cleaning; priming bare iron; painting; and if appropriate carrying out some minor repairs. Volunteers also regularly receive questions from members of the public interested in their work and will be asked to take photographs to help record the progress of the project. The hope is to complete the project by Christmas, but this is dependent on the weather.

Picture shows volunteers Peter Taylor, Matthew Fletcher, Alan Watson, Steven Downton, Phil Garbett and Mike Sprason with Trevor Barraclough (centre). Image courtesy of IGMT.
Ironbridge Look for Volunteers for Phase 2 of Sentinel Loco Conservation

Ironbridge Look for Volunteers for Phase 2 of Sentinel Loco Conservation

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Before (left) and after (right) shots of one of the conserved Sentinel locomotive, Coalbrookdale. Image copyright: Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) is looking for volunteers to help us complete the second phase of their project to conserve two Sentinel locomotives at Coalbrookdale. The two Sentinel Shunting Locomotives, which date from the 1860s, are historically important parts of the Trust’s collection. They were used by the Coalbrookdale Company on their internal railway system, were modernised and converted by the Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd in the 1920s and are now the oldest locomotive conversions by Sentinel that are known to have been preserved. 

In 2023 IGMT secured funding from the Association for Industrial Archaeology to carry out work to conserve the engines, whose condition had deteriorated over time due to weather conditions. Work on one of the Sentinel locomotives has already been completed and new volunteers are now needed to complete the second stage of the project.

Requirements:

  • Volunteers who can commit to a half-day on Fridays between September and December. 
  • The role will require a reasonable amount of physical activity and working outside (though under some cover) in all weather. 
  • No specific qualifications are required but the work will involve wet and dry cleaning; priming bare iron; painting; and if appropriate carrying out some minor repairs. 
  • Volunteers regularly receive questions from members of the public interested in their work and will be asked to take photographs to help record the progress of the project.

This is a great opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people. If you would like to volunteer with us or know someone who you think would like to be involved get in touch with me or with Sharon Sinclair, Volunteer Officer, volunteering@ironbridge.org.uk.  

The two Sentinel shunting locomotives at Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge. Image copyright: Dr Michael Nevell.

Festival of Archaeology 2024 Comes to Ironbridge

Festival of Archaeology 2024 Comes to Ironbridge

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Next Saturday , 27th July, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) will be joining museums, archaeology, and heritage organisations across the country to host a special day-long event as part of the national Festival of Archaeology. The festival is run by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA), the leading UK charity for archaeology, one of the first promotors of industrial archaoelogy. To find out more about the CBA and the festival, who celebrate their 80th birthday this year, follow this link https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.html

As in 2023, the IGMT day is sponsored by the Association for Industrial Archaoelogy. If you fancy joining IGMT staff and volunteers on the 27th July, here’s what’s happening:

  • The Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron will be free for all visitors for the entire day, thanks to sponsorship from the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA).
  • Fourteen local historical and archaeological societies and groups will be in the museum talking to the public about their work. There will also be a series of free one-hour walks and tours around Coalbrookdale and the local area.
  • The Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) will host a mini archaeological dig where visitors will be able to sift through spoils left over from recent conservation work at Broseley Pipeworks, funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund, to level out the floor. While practising their archaeological skills they might find parts of pipes, other clay items, or pieces of bone.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3L6QHes

Museum of Iron, IGMT, Coalbrookdale. Image copyright Dr Michael Nevell.
Festival of Archaeology 2024 Starts 13th July

Festival of Archaeology 2024 Starts 13th July

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The 2024 Festival fo Archaeology, run by the Council for British Archaeology, will run from the 13th July to the 28th July across the UK. The Festival incorporates hundreds of in-person and virtual events delivered by community groups, heritage organisations, universities, commercial units across the UK. 

This year’s festival theme is archaeology and community, and since the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) will be celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2024 its the perfect opportunity to celebrate the grassroots groups, societies, and individuals that share a passion for archaeology across the UK. https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.html

Several industrial archaeology and heritage sites are taking part this year. These include the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust who are running a free open day at Coalbrookdale, sponsored by the Association for Industrial Archaoelogy, and the National Trust who have an open day at Force Crag Mine in Cumbria. Other free industrial events include an animation workshop at Nenthead mines in Cumbria and a variety of talks and walks.

To locate an industrial archaeology event close to you follow this link: https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival/festival-event-listing.html

Festival of Archaeology 2024: Free Entry to the Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale, 27 July

Festival of Archaeology 2024: Free Entry to the Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale, 27 July

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As part of the national Festival of Archaeology 2024, organised by the Council for British Archaoelopgy, the 27th July will see free entry to Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, as the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) hosts a special day-long event.

A series of talks, walks, and tours will take place throughout the day, and local historical and archaeological societies and groups will be on-site talking to visitors about their work.

Find out more on the IGMT website: https://bit.ly/3L6QHes

This event is sponsored by the Association for Industrial Archaeology.

hashtag#FestivalOfArchaeology hashtag#Coalbrookdale hashtag#Museums hashtag#IndustrialArchaeology

Ironbridge Gorge Museum & AIA to Take Part in 2024 Festival of Archaeology

Ironbridge Gorge Museum & AIA to Take Part in 2024 Festival of Archaeology

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The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust will once more be taking part in the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) Festival of Archaeology. The 2024 event will run from the 13-28 July across the UK. The CBA is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2024 – the perfect opportunity for us all to celebrate the incredible grassroots groups, societies, and individuals that share a passion for archaeology across the UK.  So this year’s Festival theme is Archaeology and Community.

Following on from the success of last year’s Festival of Archaeology at Coalbrookdale, the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) will again be partnering with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust to sponsor free entry to the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron for all visitors on Saturday 27th July 2024. This is a great opportunity to chat with history and heritage organisations from the region and find out more about the brilliant community work happening every day. Lectures, walking tours and family activities will be hosted throughout the day. For further details follow this link:

https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival/festival-event-listing/festival-of-archaeology-at-coalbrookdale-sponsored-by-the-association-for-industrial-archaeology.html

Furthermore, you can visit the Festival area of the CBA website to browse all the event listings which are now available. Find out what is happening in your local area and see which other industrial sites are taking part: https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.html. Or, if you can’t wait until July why not visit the CBA resources area where you’ll find talks, craft activities, self-guided walks, and much more available on-demand.  

If you would like to host your own Festival event visit the CBA event organiser area to find out more. 

Ironbridge Awarded Digitisation Grant by the Society for Museum Archaeology

Ironbridge Awarded Digitisation Grant by the Society for Museum Archaeology

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1920s view of the Upper Works at Colabrookdale

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has been been awarded a grant by the Society for Museum Archaeology to digitise a selection of large-scale archaeology drawings held at the IGMT Archive. The original drawings were produced by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Archaeology Unit between 1981 and 2010 during the course of their survey and excavation work at various museum sites within the Gorge. The drawings are currently neither catalogued nor publicly available for consultation.

This work will be particularly useful for those buildings which form part of the ‘Conserving the Historic Estate’ project, an initiative funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund to help secure the future of the buildings that form the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. The digitisation work will be completed by museum volunteers alongside a professional photographer, and on completion of the project the digital images will be made publicly available for wider research.