BARNSLEY MUSEUMS ANNUAL REVIEW 2015—16 Museum Service Annual Report 2015 — 16 Welcome BRILLIANT AND Over the last twelve months our service has continued to grow, welcoming over 1.2M visitors from the region and much further afield. I am particularly proud of the team being nominated for Team of the Year at the Local Government Chronicle Awards – a credit to their commitment, hard work and innovation which has consistently driven up the cultural INSPIRING. GREAT offer in the Borough, providing excellent experiences for both residents and visitors.

The Service has continued to TO SHOW MY deliver on Barnsley Council’s priorities – playing an important role in developing a thriving and vibrant local economy, enabling people to achieve their potential and DAUGHTER THAT helping to build strong and resilient communities. As well as improving our visitor attractions, developing new and PEOPLE FROM exciting exhibitions and events, commissioning new works of public art and running the busiest archive service in South , the team continues to innovate. YORKSHIRE–JUST Our learning service for schools, adults and families is busier and better than ever, and now trades its services. A new culture of enterprise has been embedded to LIKE HER, HAVE secure the future sustainability of the offer, and Barnsley Museums continues to play an important role in supporting and creating jobs, as well as securing inward investment. ACHIEVED SO MUCH In addition, thanks to support of Arts Council a new fundraising charity, the Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, has been AND THAT SHE established to support continued innovation and growth – celebrating our heritage well into the future. Together we look forward to what that future has to offer for the CAN TOO. people of Barnsley and beyond. Councillor Roy Miller, Cabinet Member for PLACE

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total external 23,017 funding secured Social media £820,160 38,000 followers visitors attended Downton 19 new primary comes to Cannon Hall exhibition school sessions 25,000 in just eight weeks Visitors to for delivery across the archives all sites

156 ARTS £272,826 1,214,317 Value of press and Total number of visitors AWARDS social media coverage to the museums for primary One new living wall school children – the first in Barnsley

Volunteers gave 6489 hours of their time 2492 across our venues archival documents 3 9,000 consulted Modern Apprenticeships supported local children One new through our charitable trust classroom doors established 2 59 128 Businesses items Jobs supported displayed in 1900 visitor New public created temporary surveys art works £10,000 exhibitions legacy left to the Cooper Gallery 449 analysed commissioned 04 05 Barnsley Museum Service Annual Report 2015 — 16 BROUGHT THE KIDS HERE FROM DUNDEE, Cooper Gallery SCOTLAND. WE HAD LOADS OF FUN. DAD WAS UPSET HE COULDN’T FIT INTO MR It’s been a big year for the Cooper Gallery as we have transformed the physical space and our offer in partnership with the Cooper Gallery Trustees. HLF investment of £638,000 has BENN’S CLOTHES! meant that we’ve been busy doubling our exhibition space. More stunning paintings and ceramics will be displayed when the gallery re-opens in June with film, sound and many new interactive activities for visitors to engage with.

● A stunning extension to the ● A fundraising campaign, Cooper existing gallery building 100, has resulted in a number of will create 200sq metres of generous individuals and local redesigned exhibition spaces. businesses adopting paintings to pay for their conservation. ● The beautiful new garden, supported by a legacy from a ● We’ve consulted with local member of the public, includes people to ask what they’d like Barnsley’s first living wall. to see and do at the Cooper, and we’re now planning sketch ● New watercolour storage and book clubs, under fives fun a research area have enhanced and new exhibitions based how we care for the collection. on these conversations. Our programming will respond to public demand whilst also providing new and exciting things to see and do, “It’s good coming here because you show me things I didn’t know I liked.”

● The consultation extended to regional art curators who we brought together in Barnsley to review the developing plans. This workshop reaffirmed our role in exploring the interpretation of our unique collections both for the town and for visitors from further afield.

● Successful exhibitions such as ‘From Mr Benn to Miffy’ and ‘Yorkshire Made Me’ helped build new audiences.

More space means more displays for visitors to explore.

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Cannon Hall

Cannon Hall is approaching its ‘Diamond Jubilee’ in 2017, its 60th year open to the public and it remains one of Yorkshire’s favourite days out. The Hall has seen some of the most significant changes in its history over recent months. The next few years will witness many more, as a major project of conservation, restoration and transformation of its lakes, park, pleasure grounds and walled gardens begins.

● Our 17th century cellars once ● The bedrooms of the West ● In December, the Hall was bustled with servants but Wing have been transformed packed with our supporters for parts have now taken on a very too. Beautiful new galleries a consultation and celebration different use. Sympathetic sharing the works of William event organised by Cannon transformation has turned and Evelyn De Morgan are now Hall Friends, the culmination them into facilities to support open as a result of a long-term of a hugely successful year our award-winning education partnership with the De Morgan for the Friends, with their and schools programme, Foundation. New displays commitment, dedication and supported by the Arts Council. showcase the achievements enthusiasm shining through. Our education provision goes of leading figures in the arts from strength-to-strength and and crafts movement, the ● Final plans are coming together is a favourite of schools from special links to Cannon Hall for the ‘Restoring the Glory’; across Barnsley and our region. and the artistic achievements ‘Sharing the Secrets’ project, of the Spencer-Stanhopes. which has secured earmarked funding of £2.8m from the ● Last summer, one of Cannon Heritage Lottery Fund. The plans Hall’s most successful will transform the estate, in a ever exhibitions attracted way that is firmly driven by the over 38,000 visitors from needs of its heritage and with all across the UK, as our future sustainability in mind. period rooms hosted some of the most popular and recognisable costumes from the award-winning Downton Abbey television series.

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Elsecar

Another action-packed year for Elsecar has witnessed the introduction of a new interpretation scheme, the creation of a new-look visitor centre, new shops at The Earl’s Workshops, successful new events at The Ironworks, a Royal visit and remarkable new historical discoveries. Without doubt, the village is proving itself to be of international significance. Exciting new plans are coming together for the future too.

● In May, Prince Edward, Earl of ● The Prince inspected the new ● Over at The Ironworks, our vast Wessex, came to the village interpretation which has been events space, new additions to unveil its conserved 1795 installed too, created thanks to to an already busy calendar Newcomen Beam Engine – the hard work of volunteers and made it a year to remember the oldest steam engine in our student researchers. – visitors from across the UK the world still in place, and 20 lecterns and large panels flocked to ever popular events described as one of the most across the village, five films organised by our partners and important pieces of industrial in the visitor centre and local families enjoyed special heritage in the world. It had family interactives work events in the school holidays. been painstakingly conserved together to share over three by skilled engineers and centuries of the village’s ● Plans are fast coming volunteers with the support stories and achievements. together for what the future of the Heritage Lottery Fund holds, with a dedicated team and Historic England. ● Hundreds of visitors have of consultants and experts enjoyed guided tours of the working closely with our partners “Been coming here New Colliery and its engine. from across the village and Visitors have arrived from New the UK, discovering exciting years, first with the Zealand, the USA, Germany, opportunities to make sure the kids, now with the Holland, Spain, Poland and village reaches its potential as grand kids. I've seen France, with news of the a visitor destination over this place grow and engine’s importance growing the coming years. across the UK and beyond. develop... It's a lovely place to come and waste a couple of hours and the best bit, it costs nowt to get in."

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Worsbrough Mill

Milling flour since 1625, using traditional millstones and its mighty waterwheel, Mill is a stunning place to visit. With a rich history and beautiful views, and much to see and do, the past year has been exciting and successful. Site improvements, on-going flour production and increased visitor numbers have been accompanied by the thriving success of the Millers’ Tearoom.

● The only working watermill in ● Support from the local Ward ● A new conservation , grinding flour Alliance has enabled us to management plan was from organic British wheat. design a new footbridge across commissioned with the Dearne the River Dove, washed away Valley Landscape Partnership ● The commercialisation of our by floods in 2007. Section to create an updated strategy flour business has continued 106 funding has enabled for the management of and we have attracted new the bridge to be built. Worsbrough Mill & Country Park trade customers including a with a focus on improvement number of artisan bakeries. ● In January we formally opened and future sustainability. a new raised boardwalk in the It looks at priorities for the ● We have spent time planning country park. The work was future including: for the future sustainability of funded by Barnsley Council’s the Mill. We have undertaken as Section 106 programme and – Protect the built and natural feasibility study and plans with the Dearne Valley Landscape environment of this special architects to develop an artisan Partnership. It has made a place bakery, visitor centre and massive difference to this – Improve wildlife habitats and improve venue hire/educational stretch of path that was in protect what makes the local facilities on site, which we danger of being lost to erosion. nature reserve special hope to implement when Not only is this section much funding has been identified. easier to use but it provides – Find ways to improve access an ideal stopping off point and interpretation ● The re-established annual to take in the surroundings. – Increase the number of Country Fair took place over We were pleased to be volunteers involved in the the weekend of the 4th and joined by Councillors Carr, management and maintenance 5th July attracting over 2,500 Clarke and Pourali of the of the park visitors to the site throughout a Worsbrough ward to mark the weekend of glorious weather. opening, and have received – Look at potential new lots of positive feedback facilities on site and business about the improvements. opportunities – Raise the profile of the site and attract new visitors

“It’s great to see this fabulous event back on the calendar, long may it continue!”

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Experience Barnsley

The year has witnesses a series of exciting exhibitions, including fine art brought to Barnsley from across Europe in the 19th century. Local people told the story of the Barnsley Co-operative Society too, by sharing stories, objects and photographs. Next door in the Learning Lab, our family activity programme has gone from strength to strength, making special memories for visitors from across the Borough. The museum’s ever- popular galleries have been added to, displays changed and treasures put on show as local people continue to share Barnsley’s proud story.

● The fine art of the ‘Meet the ● We have continued to be ● We celebrated the Barnsley Harveys’ exhibition opened in overwhelmed and delighted British Co-operative Society, February. For the first time, a by the gems that keep coming thanks to £43,000 from the select group of oil paintings forward for the Museum and Heritage Lottery Fund, for from the Harvey Collection Archive collections from public ‘Service Please!’ At the heart at Cannon Hall Museum was donations. of the project was a special brought to Experience Barnsley community exhibition, to present the story of the art highlighting the special and industry of a great Barnsley stories, memories and family. Linen manufacturers and experiences about the local philanthropists, the Harveys village and community life gave much to the town and based around the Co-op. Borough, including donations to Beckett’s hospital and the founding of the Harvey Institute and Public Library, as well as the gift to the nation of 54 outstanding works of art.

“Fantastic! Amazing! Fun! Enjoyable! Supercalifragelistic! Great! Superb! Extremely good! Outstanding! Fandabidosy!” MY FAMILY AND I VISITED EXPERIENCE BARNSLEY. WE HAD A LOVELY SUNDAY MORNING IN THE MUSEUM “Barnsley needs more of this – somewhere for TALKING ABOUT CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. WE REALLY Barnsley families to go.” ENJOYED OUR VISIT.

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“Learning is part of what Learning we do every day, all year round, “It’s not learning We have delivered high quality learning experiences to a record breaking out of a book or learning 9000+ children this year, who visited with both their teachers and families. because you’ve been told something. You can learn for yourself and ● We were awarded £108,000 ● Under fives: Over 200 young work things out.” from the Department for children sang, crawled and Education to deliver our got messy in our Busy Bee Museums and Schools sessions for under fives at programme for a fourth year, Experience Barnsley Museum. for which we’ve been partnered with the Wallace Collection ● Family learning: We continue and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, to provide free, high quality helping us to deliver unique activities throughout school opportunities to local children. holidays, giving children and their families special ● We completed our four year opportunities to be together. £432,000 Museums and Schools We support children and young programme on budget and people so that they can make exceeding our targets. connections with other people, support their emotional well- ● We won the prestigious being and develop a sense Sandford Award for outstanding of community in Barnsley. learning provision at Experience Barnsley Museum.

● We began to operate as a self- sustaining business unit, where our priority is to help all children maximise their capabilities and fulfil their potential.

“A chance for me and Martha to spend some THE KIDS LOVED IT. MAKING CARS AND WATERFALLS. quality time together.” CUTTING AND STICKING. GOOD FUN. PLENTY TO DO. CREATIVE. GETS THEIR IMAGINATIONS GOING. ALL THE “I have learned about We launched our new brochure and KIDS AND PARENTS HAVE GOT TOGETHER AND MADE now offer 19 sessions across our sites. using my imagination to make things.” THINGS AS A TEAM.

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Portrait of a Lady by William Hogarth (1697-1764), oil on canvas, Cannon Hall Museum collection. Collections

New research has been carried out into the fine art collection at the Cooper Gallery as part of the extension and refurbishment project. The fascinating stories of the people who collected art and who, over the last hundred years, have given their collections to the gallery have been unearthed. The research has explored the motivations and tastes of each collector, and their reasons for wanting to share their artworks with the people of Barnsley.

Conservation

● The art collections themselves ● The Adopt Art scheme ● A beautiful portrait by have also been the focus of continued with several paintings William Hogarth which is research, as paintings and from the Cooper Gallery part of the Cannon Hall drawings were selected for undergoing treatment thanks to Museum collections has the first displays in the new the generosity of individual and also been conserved to spaces at the Gallery. Diaz de corporate donors. All of these enable its display in the la Pena, John Ruskin, Vanessa works will be on display in the ‘Meet the Harveys’ exhibition Bell, Henry Moore, Prunella new galleries. Donations to the at Experience Barnsley. Clough, Eugene Isabey and general conservation fund have John Atkinson Grimshaw also enabled the conservation are all world famous artists of several works. represented in the collections of the Cooper Gallery. ● At Experience Barnsley we have conserved two wonderful objects and placed them on display. The Moot Hall clock and a Barnsley British Co- operative Society building sign now both hang in the Museum galleries and are very special and significant to the Borough's heritage. The first has been in long term care at Cannon Hall Museum, and the second was rescued by a member of the public from a skip.

‘In the Forest of Fontainbleu’ by ‘Atcham Church near Shrewsbury’ by Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Pena Peter de Wint (1784-1849), watercolour (1808-1876), oil on panel, Courtesy of and pencil on paper, Courtesy of the the Trustees of the Cooper Gallery. Trustees of the Cooper Gallery.

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Public Art

We launched the new Public Art Strategy to inform the future programme of public art in the public realm with local MPs Dan Jarvis, Michael Dugher and Angela Smith together with the CEO of Arts Council England, Darren Henley. Two new outdoor public artworks were installed, Loom and Tin’t Tin Tin, whilst match funds from Section 106 and Ward Alliances enabled us to win Arts Council funding to activate the Public Art Strategy.

TV and Film Coming soon:

Meanwhile, we became a film ● Further works on the new partner with Creative England to Cooper Gallery Garden, promote Barnsley as a destination including public artwork. for location filming to develop the potential for screen tourism. ● Art in the public realm in Grimethorpe to celebrate the There has been 13 days of filming 20th Anniversary of the release activity in the Borough so far. This of the film ‘Brassed Off’. includes the Shanty Town set for the major ITV drama ‘Jericho’, ● ‘Best of Barnsley’ will celebrate Paddy Considine’s new film ‘The those individuals who have Journeyman’, BBC’s ‘Songs of Praise’, excelled in their chosen fields ‘Jo Brand’s Hell of a Walk’ and ‘Harry beyond Barnsley through and Paul's 3 counties on 3 legs’ from temporary artworks in the Look North – both for Sport Relief. Town Centre.

● A new piece of temporary public art is to be commissioned as part of the Somme Commemorations. It will include elements created by local schoolchildren and will be in the Town Hall Gardens from July to November 2016.

Loom Celebrates the town’s history of Tin’t Tin Tin linen making and the hand loom A colourful artwork of patterns and shapes derived weavers who were based in the from the decorative tins created by the Barnsley area. Artist Tim Ward worked on the Canister Company. The bird imagery was developed design with pupils from by artists from 154 Collective through a series Road Primary School, Barnsley of drawings made during public engagement College, residents from the Union workshops with a variety of people who live, work Street TARA, Barnsley archives and study in and around the Old Mill Lane area. and local historian Gerald Alliott.

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“Very therapeutic, Archives I enjoyed going back in time. The staff Barnsley Archives and Local Studies is housed in the Discovery Centre at Experience were helpful in every Barnsley, where we hold original and unique documents relating to the history of the respect. Put a bit of Borough, stretching back over 850 years. We’re here for local people to find out more life back into me and brought back memories about their family, their town and its communities. long forgotten.”

55 archive collections Over 150 court were fully catalogued registers were conserved and made available by volunteers

● We became a Place of Deposit, ● We staged a workshop to ● New archive collections donated approved by the National highlight our newspaper include the papers of two WW1 Archives to hold and make holdings, delivered our soldiers; Lundwood, available public records, popular history day, and and Athersley school records; which include the archives of continued our monthly records of the Royal Society of local courts and hospitals. family history surgeries. St. George; records of the former The Archives Twitter Wharncliffe Silkstone Club at feed doubled its ● We took part in the national ● We hosted a National Archives Tankersley; and an extensive number of followers 399 people signed 70 new donations Explore Your Archive campaign conference in November for collection of South Yorkshire up as new users were made in November, with six separate record keepers working within public house photographs. to over 1000 events attracting 400 visitors. the National Health Service. ● We ran two bespoke ● We developed Hands on History ● We introduced a print conservation workshops sessions to coincide with the on demand service. for volunteers. 70th Anniversary of VE Day in 2492 archival May and the Heritage Lottery ● The Friends of Archives ● We worked with Horizon documents have Funded Co-op project in August. purchased for us at auction Community College and been consulted* an illuminated 19th century the Barnsley Youth Council 25,000 ● We prepared introductory scroll which belonged on a project to mark the Visits to the archives sessions for local history to celebrated Barnsley 800th Anniversary of Magna groups from Darfield, engineer Joseph Locke. Carta, which was Heritage Kexbrough and Gawber. Lottery Funded. The project ● We launched the large Barnsley included workshops, visits ● The Barnsley British Co- College of Art archive for the and performances. operative Society Archive first time, following a project to Collection was made available sort, conserve and catalogue it. BARNSLEY HAS ONE OF THE MOST MODERN, BUSIEST, for the first time via a Heritage AND BEST ARCHIVE CENTRES IN THE COUNTRY. Lottery Funded project. WONDERFUL TO SEE INVESTMENT IN OUR HERITAGE.

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● Our Community Officer ● We launched a new website Roseanna Burton was named and monthly newsletter at Dearne Valley Community Champion by the www.discoverdearne.org.uk OPAL Community Champions Landscape Partnership scheme. ● We developed creative projects with the Maurice Dobson ● We relocated and restored the Museum including a new ten The Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership (DVLP), funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Glassby Arch, returning a key minute film and commissioning works across Barnsley, and Doncaster, engaging with local communities to piece of heritage to the people a one man play based upon the of . life of Maurice Dobson himself preserve, protect and enhance the environmental and cultural heritage of the Dearne which was performed within Valley. Our year in numbers: the museum. 1 3 3 4 Exhibition about historic Conservation Management Internships Creative Arts potteries at the Cooper Plans commissioned supported at Projects delivered Gallery curated and completed RSPB Old Moor 4 6 7 7 “Talking of newsletters, Members of the Pottery workshops held Sites surveyed with Specialist recording the DiscoverDearne one DVLP team now all with the final work displayed local communities days collecting data in post in the Cooper Gallery about wildlife in the area is worth subscribing to; it details a quiet cultural renaissance happening in the Dearne.” 8 13 14 18 Ian McMillan Venues that the Volunteer survey People involved in Volunteers given ‘Our Glass’ touring events held a creative writing training to research exhibition was taken to workshop Oaks Disaster WHAT AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION ON THE OAKS COLLIERY DISASTER OF 1866. THE WAY THE 21 24 41 5000 PRESENTATION WAS GIVEN GAVE A CHILL DOWN Geocaches placed in Colliery Sites Community Training New trees planted MY SPINE, WITH THE FULL HORROR, WITH MAPS the Dearne Valley assessed Sessions delivered to 392 people OF WHERE THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED.

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Events A FABULOUS PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO BE CREATIVE AND HAPPY. WE NEED MORE The Arts and Events Team provide creative and logistical expertise in the delivery PLACES LIKE THIS IN BARNSLEY of the cultural programme and major bespoke events across the borough, whilst supporting the independent event and arts sector through advice and guidance to fulfil their ambitions.

Tour De Yorkshire Visitor Spend: £430,000 Attendees: 20,000

Hosting a key section of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, over 20,000 spectators lined the streets to watch Bradley Wiggins and other elite riders negotiate the undulating hills and cobbles of the Borough.

British Cycling National Barnsley by the Sea Town Centre Circuit Visitor Spend: £270,000 Racing Championships Attendees: 12,500 Visitor Spend: £130,000 Attendees: 6,000 Bringing the charm of the sea side to Barnsley Central Offices Homemade Town Centre. Demolition Launch Christmas Activities Broadcast live on Eurosport to an audience of 1.5 million over 3 hours, across 36 nations. This bespoke installation coupled with an The Arts and Events team supported colleagues Commissioned to promote affordable craft extensive programme of activities including within Town Centre Services to choreograph, activities from produce available from market traditional seaside entertainment was so facilitate and manage the demolition event for traders and town centre retailers, ‘Barnsley successful in capturing the public imagination the Central Offices Building as part of the town Homemade Christmas’ converted a vacant retail that the installation was extended for an centre redevelopment programme. unit into a pop up creative hub of festive activity additional two weeks across the full six week and included an activity guide to allow residents The event was hugely successful in terms of summer holiday period. to create at home. Over 120 residents visited the visitor numbers and gained wide news coverage hub during its short operating period creating across all regional media outlets, including BBC Elsecar Lights Switch On something special for Christmas. Visitor Spend: £10,000 and ITV new programmes. Over 1000 spectators witnessed the historic start to the Remaking The activities were also taken in a workshop Attendees: 2,500 Barnsley project. format to Worsbrough Primary School and A hugely successful night for Elsecar Heritage each child (250) participated to create their Centre as a packed programme of live own decoration and received a copy of the entertainment, kinetic installations, craft stalls, Barnsley Homemade Christmas Guide. children’s rides and a stunning fireworks display Around 950 copies of the Homemade Christmas kicked off the Christmas shopping period in Guide were distributed to the public to during extraordinary style. the Christmas period.

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Our people – staff and volunteers

Our team have continued to develop and respond to the changing cultural landscape, particularly embracing new ways of working and the need to address the commercial challenges we face. We are building on peer learning and improving communication and are continuing to support work placements and apprenticeships to help develop our young people move forward. We were delighted to be nominated for the Local Government Chronicle Team of the Year award, an endorsement of our hard work, commitment, pride and innovation. Tracey Hebron, Visitor Services Assistant, along with the Cooper Gallery team went on a peer learning visit to York Art Gallery:

“It was a pleasure to see the new gallery spaces and retail area at York Art Gallery with fellow colleagues. We were looking at the recent redevelopment of the gallery there, observing the many ways in which the front of house Our Apprentice Conner Holroyd team works after a relaunch. joined us this year, providing The team at York demonstrated us with valuable marketing a passion for all aspects of their support across the museums. job and were happy to talk at length about the changes that “Working at Barnsley have been made. This was so Museums has given me a lot beneficial to me and other of opportunities. I became an members of staff. It was highly apprentice here as it provides effective in terms of boosting a decent wage, together with our motivation and focus. training and the chance to work Sharing experiences with the with lots of different people in York team reassured us about different teams, learning as I the quality and value of the work go. This is the perfect place for we do in Barnsley; it was a great that. Working with the Museums opportunity to reinforce our own service is really interesting too sense of pride in the work we do as there are so many varied and everyday. It felt good to come interesting things happening away and know that our team here all the time. Each of the five at Barnsley Museums is just as museums is unique and has good as others. We need to shout We were delighted to be shortlisted its own special character.” about that a little bit more!” in the LGC Team of the Year award, an endorsement of our hard work and commitment.

30 31 Barnsley Museum Service Annual Report 2015 — 16 Development Trust THROUGH THE In February we launched Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, a new charitable trust set up to raise funding and support for our work. It’s run by a board of independent Trustees who have a combined interest and wealth of experience to ensure the future of our venues. SUPPORT OF THIS

● The main objective of the ● The establishment of the Trust Trust is to raise money to has been generously funded support the wonderful venues, by Arts Council England’s TRUST WE WILL BE collections, activities and Museum Resilience Fund. programmes run by the service. ● A new membership scheme ● The Trust has its own dedicated has been launched, with website www.bmht.org benefits for all supporters, ABLE TO ACHIEVE including shop and café ● The trustees are: Josie discounts and invitations to Thirkell Chair; Ian McMillan special exhibition launches, Poet and Broadcaster; John events and private tours. MUCH MORE AND Hamshere Chief Executive, Industrial Museums ● Barnsley College have Trust; David Exley Managing pledged support as the first Director, Ledgard Jepson; Lee Joseph Locke partners. Manterfield HSBC Corporate, CONTINUALLY Relationship Director, SYCC and Margot Walker Regional Director, Yorkshire, The Audience Agency. IMPROVE THE MUSEUMS, ALL FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TOWN'S RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.

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What’s next?

We are continuing to grow our business through new commercial enterprises, as well as embedding the work of the Development Trust key priorities for sustainability.

● The fully refurbished Cooper ● DVLP launch their Community ● We’ll be commemorating Gallery opens in June. Grants Programme – individuals the Battle of the Somme and organisations will be able with a special First World ● The Vikings are coming to to apply for grant funding War exhibition at Experience Experience Barnsley. up to the value of £2000 to Barnsley. pay for projects which will ● A special poetry project, help to protect, preserve and ● In coming weeks an in-depth Hear my Voice launches. enhance the natural and cultural new guidebook is to be heritage of the Dearne Valley. launched at Elsecar, tracing ● We relaunch the Cooper Prize. the remarkable story of the ● Our online collections Earls' Village of Iron and Coal. ● We’ll commemorate the catalogue browser will be 150th Anniversary of the Oaks launched in 2016, allowing ● A new masterplan is to be Disaster with an exhibition researchers from across the revealed, about how Elsecar at Experience Barnsley and world to find information can go forward into the future, related activities, unveiling new about and to explore our reflecting the international research into the names and lives collections – archives. importance of its heritage. of those killed in the disaster. ● We will deliver an exciting ● At Cannon Hall, it's anticipated ● We will continue to develop project developing our that initial works will begin and deliver major capital film and sound archive. on site for the Restoring the investment programmes. Glory: Revealing the Secrets project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. First steps will include exciting archaeology, which visitors will be invited to take part in.

“Barnsley Museums have embraced the transition towards greater commercial effectiveness with determination and tenacity.”

Peter Latchford Black Radley

Photo by Alwyn Timms

34 What our partners say

We could not have achieved so much this year without the commitment of our many partners and want to thank everyone who has supported the service this year. Here is a snapshot of some of the work achieved through partnership –

“Your expertise, experience and good old common “It’s been a real pleasure working with Barnsley’s fantastic sense is a joy to behold!” museums again this year, and as they show the rest of the UK what Barnsley has to offer in terms of its heritage and Louise Claire, HLF Development Officer. culture, I’m really looking forward to working with them on our next exciting project.” “Great to see some of the brilliant work you and your team are doing, as well as the cultural partners Professor Joann Fletcher, University of York in the town.” and Archaeology advisor to Barnsley Museums. Michelle Dickson, Director Arts Council England. “I had to say a big thanks, there was no way it would have run as smoothly if not for all your help and John’s “It is an exciting time for Barnsley’s museums and galleries. in the run up” There are lots of fantastic exhibitions and events taking place and a lot of hard work has taken place to secure Producer of “Songs of Praise.” significant amounts of external funding to invest in and improve the attractions. The service is ambitious in their "What a night. Thank you. And it’s about us, our engine and objectives which is developing world class sites and are our history, and my mum and dad’s, and their parents, and leading the way in their field. The Borough’s museums their parents before them. All of them. It’s about the village." and galleries are not only an important part of the town’s Local resident, November 2014. proud history but also essential to local families and communities.” “Elsecar: this is it. This is everything. What you have here Josie Thirkell, Chair of the Barnsley Museums the whole world wants. It is so important.” Heritage Trust. ERIH Board Member, The Netherlands.

“We wanted to extend our thanks for your support with this weekend. It was great to have the expertise of your “We have been overwhelmed by the level of warmth team. Roseanna you have an enthusiasm and energy that’s and support extended to Qdos Creates by the Barnsley rare to find and the activities you brought were a great Museum team since we moved our office base into Cooper compliment to the weekend. As artists we so often work Gallery in September this year. Already we have delivered with a broad brush and a bit of imagination. Uplift is about a number of small scale projects in partnership, providing encouraging people to notice, be curious and see things actors in role to welcome visitors to ‘Meet the Harveys’ and differently. Your in-depth knowledge brought another level the ‘De Morgan’ exhibitions. This work has really enabled of understanding for the people we work with! I also want us to feel part of the ‘happenings’ across the visitor sites. to thank you for the way you supported Creative Recovery We are delighted to be part of Barnsley’s exciting and regulars to get involved, and supported the UPLIFT team in rich cultural offer and we relish developing a partnership all aspects of delivery.” that will enable us to deliver more creative engagement projects together in the future”. Helen Boutle of Creative Recovery. Katrina Whale, QDOS Creates.