Information for Applicants for the Post of Collections and Archive Relocation Assistant

Information for Applicants for the post of Collections and Archive Relocation Assistant Full-time, one-year fixed term contract. Salary £20,000 Introduction Thank you for your interest in Brooklands Museum and the role of Collections and Archive Relocation Assistant. At the heart of everything we do at Brooklands is our vision, Inspiring people to shape their future through inventiveness, expertise and a sense of adventure. Throughout its history, Brooklands has been a place where the impossible is achieved. Brooklands Museum is located outside of Weybridge, Surrey and is set in 30 acres, which includes the most significant and complete sections of the former Race Track. The site includes a number of important historic buildings all of which have played a central part in Brooklands’ contribution to the development of motorsport and the aviation industry. Beyond our large object collection of aircraft, including Concorde, and an array of 1920s and 30s bespoke racing cars, we have an impressive archive of documents, drawings, photographs technical manuals, costumes, uniforms and art work. Our collection also includes a rich array of personal items that belonged to key personalities who raced cars, flew aircraft, who worked here at Brooklands – or even did all three. This unique collection helps brings the past to life through the individuals who dared to push the boundaries. An opportunity has arisen for a one-year fixed term contract in the Collections Department. You will play a crucial role in relocating our collections from our old archive to our new purpose-built store which has been funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund project, The Brooklands Aircraft Factory and Race Track Revival. This post will work closely alongside members of the collections team and our dedicated volunteers to document, repackage and relocate the contents of our existing store to its new accommodation. We are open to applications from people who have a range of experiences and while a formal museum qualification is desirable, it is not essential. We are looking for the right candidate who wants to take the next step in their career. As this is a time limited post, we are looking for the right candidate who is methodical, self-motivated and able to work to tight deadlines. An immediate start is preferred. To apply: Please send a covering letter of no more than three pages, describing your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification. Please also include in the same file a CV of up to two pages. Please email the one file with your name in its title, to Alex Patterson [email protected] The deadline for applications is Monday 6 May 2019. Interviews will be held on Monday 13 May 2019. Collections and Archive Relocation Assistant – Job Pack 1 Job Description Collections and Archive Relocation Assistant Reports to: Collections & Exhibitions Manager Work alongside: Collections Care & Documentation Officer, Volunteer team Salary: £20,000 Contract: Full Time, one-year fixed term contract Major Purpose: ▪ Work with volunteer teams to progress the stores relocation project, transferring collections and archive to the new store; ▪ Where required, repack and label objects, recording locations and updating the Collections Management System Collection Stores ▪ Continue the implementation of the store relocation project, coordinating volunteers to support this process; ▪ Ensure all items are suitably documented – including condition assessment and reference photograph – prior to being repackaged (if required) in appropriate conservation grade materials; ▪ Make sure that objects are handled appropriately during movements to reduce the risk of damage during transit; ▪ Support the Collections Department to find solutions to storage issues related to complex objects that are pragmatic and are appropriate for the condition of the object in question; ▪ Make sure all locations are recorded and MODES is fully updated with all new data. Documentation ▪ Follow the Museum’s documentation procedures, making sure all data is accurately recorded; ▪ Where documentation issues arise, resolve these issues with colleagues in the Collections Department Volunteers ▪ Provide the relevant support and training in the process used for the store relocation project as well as collections care and object handling for volunteers who will be supporting your work; ▪ Help coordinate your team of volunteers, ensuring they know and understand what they are doing on a daily basis so as complete work accurately and not to put themselves or the collection at risk; Health and Safety ▪ Have an understanding of potential hazardous materials that can be found in large industrial collections and if any concerns, immediately report to the Collections & Exhibitions Manager who will instruct on further actions; ▪ Follow risk assessments that have been written for specific activities and if required make sure that your volunteer teams have also read and understood them; ▪ Be willing to be First Aid trained to support the wider Museum operation. Undertake any other duties from time to time that support the wider Museum’s operation, including events, which will entail occasional weekend and evening work. Collections and Archive Relocation Assistant – Job Pack 2 Person Specification Collections and Archives Relocation Assistant Essential Desirable Educated to degree level Post graduate qualification in relevant subject (i.e. MA in Museum Studies, Conservation, Heritage Management) A minimum of one year’s work experience Worked in an Independent Museum (paid or voluntary positions) in a Museum or Heritage organisation Working knowledge of collection Working knowledge of SPECTRUM documentation principles and procedures Standards An understanding of the principles of collections care Demonstrable experience of working with at Experience in carrying out condition surveys least two different types of object media on museum objects including textiles, paper, historic photographs, film and models Demonstrable experience in object handling Experience in preparing objects for store An understanding of the role of Collection Practical experience of using a Collections Management Systems Management System such as MODES Regularly work alongside volunteers to support your work Self-motivated and can work well in a team Methodical and able to work to tight deadlines Interest in one or more subject areas of Have a full driving licence Brooklands Computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal Willing to be a trained First Aider Collections and Archive Relocation Assistant – Job Pack 3 A brief history of Brooklands Motorsport and Cycling Brooklands, the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, was built by local landowner Hugh Locke King on 360 acres of farm and woodland on his estate at Weybridge in Surrey. Hugh and his wife Ethel had family connections with aristocracy across the nation, and they also socialised with the leading motoring and aviation pioneers of their day. Work commenced in late 1906 and this outstanding feat of engineering was built in only nine months. Many local families were employed in its construction together with workers from other Locke King family estates. Before the first race was run, Brooklands was the venue for a dramatic speed record attempt by motor-racing pioneer, Selwyn Francis Edge, who used the Track for establishing a 24-hour record, covering 1,581 miles at an average speed of almost 66 miles an hour. Three World Land Speed Records were broken on the Track by 1914 and, in 1913, the first man to drive over 100 miles in one hour, did so on the circuit. In August 1926 the RAC organised the first-ever British Grand Prix, with a second British Grand Prix held at Brooklands in 1927. The British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC), founded in 1927, held their first event at Brooklands in 1929 – the 500 Miles Race - destined to become the fastest long-distance race in the world. In the 1930s, Brooklands, which was still the preserve of the wealthy amateur, became a fashionable venue on the sporting calendar along with Henley, Wimbledon and Ascot. The Brooklands Automobile Racing Club, which had organised popular race meetings since 1907, held its last ever meeting at Brooklands on 7th August 1939. With the outbreak of World War Two, the whole site was requisitioned by the Government and devoted to the production of aircraft. Motorcycle racing started at Brooklands in 1908 and the British Motor Cycle Racing Club was founded here in 1909. This opened up the possibility of competing in motorsport events at Brooklands to those who were previously prohibited by the expense. Sidecar outfits joined the solo machines for racing and record breaking from 1912. When the track re-opened after the First World War, Brooklands was to witness the golden age of motorcycling when the British racing motorcycle was the best and fastest in the world. The showcase long distance races such as the Hutchinson 100 and the Brooklands 500 Miles Race were the highlights of the racing calendar, whilst the growth of ‘Clubman’ racing saw many more people being able to take up the sport. The first ladies motorcycle race was held in 1928. As workshops sprang up around the paddock, Brooklands became the home of many motorcycle riders including Eric Fernihough, Michael McEvoy, Noel Pope, Francis Beart, and Bert Denly. Denly, one of the most successful riders of them all, started out as a Byfleet butcher’s delivery boy, and Fernihough went on to claim the Motorcycle Land Speed Record. Collections and Archive Relocation Assistant – Job Pack 4 In September 1907, a 100-mile massed start cycle race was held at the Brooklands Track, the first of its kind, as, at this time, even cycle racing was illegal on the open roads. The Track proved to be a safe haven for cyclists as it had for the motor car and the 1907 race was a precursor to the massed-start cycle races that were frequently held at the Track during the 1930s.

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