Bantock House Museum
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PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE ISSUE DATE – 19 DECEMBER 2013 BLACK COUNTRY ECHOES VOLUNTEER TALK BANTOCK HOUSE MUSEUM TUESDAY 14 JANUARY, 11AM BLACK COUNTRY ECHOES NEEDS YOU! A major Black Country-wide project is recruiting volunteers to help tell the story of the region’s industrial heritage. Black Country Echoes celebrates the impact that the region has made on the world, as well as the personal stories behind it. Volunteers are needed to help reach out to local communities and support the development of exhibitions and events in preparation for the Black Country Echoes Festival – an eclectic programme of arts, events and exhibitions taking place between September and December 2014. A free talk is being given at Bantock House Museum on Tuesday 14 January at 11am which will offer more information about the opportunities to volunteer for Black Country Echoes. As part of Black Country Echoes, a wide-reaching community engagement programme is already underway, connecting with factories, local groups and former industry workers. The team of volunteers will help record their stories, carry out research and create exhibitions for the Black Country Echoes Festival based around people’s experiences of working in industry in the region. All volunteers will be given access to free training related to arts and heritage including creating an archive, photographing a museum object, curating an exhibition and transcribing oral histories. There is also the opportunity for volunteers to turn their ideas into exhibitions and events which will be added to the Black Country Echoes Festival programme. Stuart Williams, Volunteer Development Co-ordinator for Black Country Echoes commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who is passionate about the Black Country and its outstanding industrial heritage. We’re not looking for history experts or people who have vast amounts of experience of working with arts and heritage as we’re going to offer all the necessary training. We want to hear from anyone who is enthusiastic and wants to help us create a record of what it was, and still is, like for people working in Black Country industry – not just for the Festival, but for years to come.” The event is free and lunch will be provided. Booking for the event is essential. To book a place or for further information, please contact Stuart Williams on 01902 550964 or email [email protected]. Black Country Echoes has been generously supported by Arts Council England and is a partnership between Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Council, Walsall Council and Wolverhampton City Council. To find out more about Black Country Echoes, visit www.blackcountryechoes.org.uk. ENDS NOTES TO EDITORS For more information and images, please contact Charli McCann (Cultural Promotions Officer) [email protected] 01902 552040 or Rebecca Morris (Promotions & Operations Manager) [email protected]. Images available on request Bantock House Museum, Finchfield Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV3 9LQ is open Tuesday to Sunday 12pm – 4pm, free entry. Tel: 01902 552195 Bantock House Museum is part of WAVE, the Museums, Galleries and Archives of Wolverhampton, and is run by Wolverhampton City Council. www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk WAVE is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England .