Heritage

Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014 – 2023

www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/heritage Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Cultural Endowment Characterisation

Integrate MK: City IDENTITY of Design Enabling the PLACE infrastructure that PEOPLE creates a sense Heritage of place Hub Cultural Infrastructure Capitalising on Culture

Active MK Volunteering Audiences Collection Cultural Partners Tourism Regional Communities Networks of Virtual Interest COMMUNITY

COMMUNICATION

OPPORTUNITY Creating activities that CELEBRATION raise participation Creating experiences and sharing successes

LEARNING Collections EVENTS Heritage International Inspirational Invitation Inspired Parks Trails Cultural Heritage Excellence Access for All 1 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Contents

Page 1 Introduction and Long-Term Vision 3 1.1 Cultural Vision 4 1.2 Strategic Position 5 1.3 Challenges 5 1.4 Promise 6

2 Strategic Priorities 7 2.1 Strategic Priority 1: Enhance Identity 7 Aim A: People 7 Aim B: Place 7 2.2 Strategic Priority 2: Increase Opportunities 8 Aim C: Community 8 Aim D: Learning 8 2.3 Strategic Priority 3: Actively Celebrate 8 Aim E: Events 8 Aim F: Communications 8

3 Delivery 9 3.1 Delivery Plan 2014 - 2023 9 3.2 Sector Leadership 9 3.3 Annual Review Reporting and Scrutiny 9

4 Appendices 10 4.1 HMAS Delivery Plan, 2014 - 2023 10

Credits: Images on front cover from left to right: Stacked Slate Sculpture of Alan Turing by artist Stephen Kettle, Bletchley Park; Milton Keynes Village church; Medieval Day at Bradwell Abbey; Station Square, Central Milton Keynes; Lacemaking girls at Cowper and Newton Museum, Olney; Almshouses at Great Linford.

Photos produced courtesy of MK Council and its partners and not to be reproduced without permission. MK Council thanks the following partners for the use of these photos depicting their venues: Artworks-mk, Bletchley Park, Cowper and Newton Museum, Inter-Action MK, Living Archive, MK CDC, 2 MK Dons SET, MK Heritage Association, MK Museum, Parks Trust MK, Simon Meddings Associates. Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

1. Introduction & Long-term Vision

The Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums and Archives Strategy (HMAS) 2014 – 2023 and its accompanying documents set out the vision, plan, major programmes and projects that have been identified by stakeholder engagement and public consultation as strategically vital for the future of Milton Keynes, the needs of its growing number of ‘citizens’ and its reputation amongst ever-increasing visitors. Building on the success of the first ever strategy in 2008 – 2013, which brought i together 35 partners of all areas, the new strategy will Peace Pagoda at North continue to transform heritage activity, delivery and Willen Lake, built 1980 infrastructure to help establish `milton Keynes as a World Class City by 2023. As a designed ‘New Town’ and regional centre Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and . The with international aspirations, this strategy will recognise the MKHA mirrors the more recent South East Midlands Local distinctive blend of old and new, urban and rural and Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) development to bind the commercial and community that makes Milton Keynes truly region together in common interest and focusing on unique. economic development, transport networks and distinctive cultural identity. Milton Keynes Council (MKC) is the owner of this strategy but, as with the previous strategy, for successful delivery heritage, In April 2011, five independent museum and archive partnersiii voluntary and private sector partners are essential. It is with significant collections and public delivery, agreed to form fortunate that Milton Keynes has established heritage a consortium joint programme under the MK Collection brand. organisations that have led the sector forwards over the past Although in its early stages, this partnership already accounts forty years and in the last five years the strategy has been to for 200,000+ annual public visits to their venues and by develop leadership, capacity and expertise within those working together, a ‘critical mass’ of resource, supplemented specialist partnerships, promoting their work of international by the Council and external funding, will deliver the heritage significance in areas of collections, events and volunteering impact desired to help put ‘MK’ on the international map and activity to necessitate step-change. work with the greatest number and range of communities within the borough. Following a long tradition of partnership working across Milton Keynes by the MK Heritage Association (MKHA),ii this 2008 – 2013 saw £15 Million of funding secured to develop vehicle, supporting grassroots heritage, continues to thrive infrastructure, collections and activity, particularly around and grow with 60+ members across Milton Keynes, archives and museums venues, with implementation to continue during the new strategy. More work is needed to secure Milton Keynes’ still relatively unknown historic environment, protect unique wildlife and biodiversity, parks

Case Study 1: Young Heritage Hunters The MKHA works with its members, local schools, Heritage Lottery Fund, Milton Keynes Council, Living Archive and other partners to run a Young Heritage Hunters Programme to engage children with their heritage through collections, sites visits and exploration. This provides research, analytical, spatial development and IT skills and a greater understanding of and interest in their heritage. Their work is professionally curated and exhibited in Discover Milton Keynes Showcases across Milton Keynes and they get to experience an evening launch event with VIP guests.

i Milton Keynes Heritage Strategy 2008 – 13, Final Review Report, April 2013 is available online at www.milton- keynes.gov.uk/heritage. ii Young Heritage Hunters exhibition A history of the Milton Keynes Heritage Association, a current list of its members and their work via an online at the Discover Milton Keynes heritage portal is available at www.mkheritage.co.uk. Showcase, Central Library iii Bletchley Park; Cowper and Newton Museum, Olney; Living Archive; MK City Discovery Centre and MK 3 Museum. For more information see www.mkcollection.co.uk. Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

The Mansion, Bletchley Park

Case Study 2: Bletchley Park Now an international name and major success story, it was only five years ago that Bletchley Park still faced an uncertain future. Thanks to a project model of Council and external national funding partners (in this case English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund), led by specialist expertise of a third sector independent trust (Bletchley Park Trust), this historic site has been secured for the nation and helped place Milton Keynes firmly in the spotlight as a major visitor destination. This model is now being applied successfully to other major heritage projects to deliver the critical step-change to become an international city.

and open spaces, better utilise transport and communication Jointly the strategies will aim to deliver the cultural vision: links and above all to retain the key design approaches, sense “By 2023 we will be recognised as being world class.” of place and local identity felt by all, whether that is within a ‘New Town’ grid square, historic town or village or modern new This strategy will deliver the Heritage Vision; “Heritage at the development that all come together to make Milton Keynes. heart of Milton Keynes and a force for social, economic and Therefore, the new strategy will be a Heritage, Museums and cultural vitality.” Archives Strategy to recognise the work in each of these separate disciplines. Although more evolutionary than revolutionary, the strategy retains its ambitions for the sector; advocating that Milton Keynes aspires to become a World Class City, working across cultural sectors, strategies, shared themes, objectives and promises, to showcase its distinctive heritage. 1.1 Cultural Vision The Heritage, Museums and Archives Strategy sits within a portfolio of strategies that have been produced to support a wider cultural and sporting offer in Milton Keynes. These strategies include the Arts and Public Art Strategy and the Sports and Active Communities Strategy and they underpin the strategic cultural statement and vision:

‘Culture in Milton Keynes is a term that means different things to different people. We believe that cultural participation is where people of all backgrounds come together with shared interests and passions. Together with the environment in which cultural activities take place, culture includes all the things that define our lives, connect our communities and represent the values we pass on to other generations’.

Enigma Machine at Bletchley Park

Case Study 3: Historical Medieval Wall Paintings Milton Keynes is fortunate in that it has not one but two sites with nationally important medieval wall paintings which offer a glimpse into our past. The murals at St Lawrence Church, Broughton have been secured thanks to The Churches Conservation Trust and can be seen at events such as MK Heritage Open Days each September. The wall paintings of the Virgin Mary in the 14th Century Pilgrim Chapel at Bradwell Abbey are less well-known, but thanks to a major project to restore the medieval site, will be conserved and protected for generations to come.

Medieval wall painting of the Virgin Mary, Pilgrim Chapel, Bradwell Abbey 4 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

1.2 Strategic Position Heritage has a prominent position within the MKC Corporate Plan under the theme ‘World Class MK’; 'Milton Keynes will be recognised internationally for its distinctive arts and heritage', yet the Plan also offers other areas for heritage to contribute. ‘Living in MK’ emphasises that people will have choice and control, ‘Working in MK’ highlights training to improve skills, ‘Visiting MK’ commits to a strong reputation as a visitor destination and a ‘strong leisure, retail and cultural offer’ and ‘Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Healthier MK’ commits to high quality open, green public space and buildings. All of these commitments can be reflected within this strategy.

Additionally, heritage continues to work across the local authority and wider political landscape of Milton Keynes and in key strategic documents such as the Core Strategy, emerging MK Local Plan, Economic Strategy and Health & Well-being Strategy. Heritage is also vital to major external partners like parish councils, the Parks Trust, MK Community Foundation, Community Action MK and the commercial and business sectors to deliver their aspirations for the regional, national and international standing of Milton Keynes.

The development and growth of heritage in Milton Keynes has been led by MKC and its heritage delivery partners and Bradwell Windmill underpinned by national funders and project partners the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Natural , Museum, Libraries and Archives Council (until their closure in 1.3 Challenges 2012), The National Archives and since 2012 Arts Council The major challenges facing the Heritage, Museums and England. This successful model of partnering local authority Archives Strategy over the next ten years can be summarised and external funding with third sector heritage delivery as follows: expertise will be a continuing focus in this strategy. Image and Perception – Public consultation demonstrated that even after the success of the first strategy in raising the profile of heritage, there is still a continuing (mostly external) perception that Milton Keynes is a New Town with little or no Our Sporting Life London 2012 exhibition, heritage. In spite of projects like MK Heritage Open Days, Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Stadium:MK Bletchley Park and MK Museum, there is still a lot of joint marketing, promotion and profiling required, particularly with the historic environment and the heritage of new and incoming communities to better link it with mainstream programming in a co-ordinated and sustainable way.

Long-term Funding – In spite of the success in bringing in over £15 million during the lifetime of the last strategy and work to develop joint programmes and maximising resources, it is evident that the heritage sector still requires major investment and research into endowments and trust models to secure sufficient income to protect historic sites and deliver a range of programmes. Working with arts, libraries and the cultural sector as a whole to develop those sustainable models will be one of the major challenges of the next decade.

5 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Engaging All Communities – Shown most clearly with the Connected Communities Workshop consultation, Milton Keynes continues to develop in demographic terms with a range of ethnic minority communities all wishing to share and celebrate their heritage. However, many struggle to do so as they do not understand funding mechanisms, cultural differences or do not have access to opportunities for joint activity. The challenge is to remove barriers where possible Heritage Open Days event: and ensure that all communities have equal opportunity to Repainted Dinosaur at Inter- publicly celebrate their heritage. Action, Peartree Bridge

International Recognition – Milton Keynes is unique and the area has had national and global impact at times in its history, 1.4 Promise but its heritage has suffered from a lack of profile. However, The new Strategy provides a rationale for prioritised with greater access to collections, stories, sites and with new programmes and projects over the next ten years and will online media tools to hand, this is now possible and Milton meet the aspirations of its current residents, visitors and Keynes can over the next decade showcase and achieve growing communities. To do this, key promises will be international recognition of its heritage. embedded into the Delivery Plan and strategic decisions across the cultural sector, so the strategy will: Growth, Economy, Business – Heritage naturally focuses on the past, yet it has a vital role for Milton Keynes’ future. The • Offer diverse opportunities and activities representative of challenge is to protect the sites, buildings and urban design of Milton Keynes’ demography. the New Town retaining its uniqueness, but ensure that modern economic development is not stifled so that heritage • Work across the borough with established and new actively supports economic and tourism development. communities supporting growth and regeneration.

• Capitalise on opportunities to expand inward investment Caldecotte Lake from above. Part of the Ouzel Valley Linear Park within cultural sectors.

• Use culture to support healthy communities and promote social well-being.

Case Study 4: Bradwell Windmill Led by Milton Keynes Museum and supported by parish and community partners within Bradville, and New Bradwell, the local community has worked with the Council to re-open Bradwell Windmill to public and group visits and secure funding for its refurbishment. Once works are complete in 2014, MK Museum and volunteers drawn from the community will help operate the mill and run events providing a unique historic learning and social resource for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Young ‘volunteer’ at Bradwell Windmill

6 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Hall of Transport, Milton Keynes Museum

2. Strategic Priorities

The strategic priorities provide the framework for the Delivery Plan and the heritage priorities going forwards; there are three priorities, each with two aims. These are in place across the Arts and Public Arts Strategy and Sports and Active Communities Strategy as well as this Heritage, Museums and Archives Strategy. 2.1 Strategic Priority One: Enhance Identity Identity is a key priority for a maturing city still establishing and seeking recognition as having world class heritage. The people of Milton Keynes are proud and ambitious and visionary about the future. The identity of Milton Keynes needs to be celebrated and expanded to recognise the diversity of its people and place.

Aim A: People The strategy’s major outcomes in this aim are: a) People-led, active preservation of our ‘New Town’ and less well known historic environment, recognising the unique historic landscape of Milton Keynes and its individual Aim B: Place component parts. The strategy’s major outcomes in this aim are: b) Heritage joint programming with other cultural sectors a) Secure a cultural endowment which can support museum, providing added value to profiling the distinctive identity of archive and heritage major infrastructure, responding to the Milton Keynes and its component parts. changing investment focus by MKC. c) Improving the quality of life for residents in and visitors to b) Delivering a capital programme for a range of heritage targeted areas of MK that has significant and distinctive historic sites which will contribute to MK becoming an heritage tourism appeal bringing economic, social and international city. health and well-being to that area. c) Improving the international recognition of the unique design principles of MK that informs a modern, innovative and creative design city, putting it at the heart of future development, growth and regeneration.

Case Study 5: World Class Collections An independent audit by ABL Consulting in 2008 concluded that Milton Keynes had significant international status collections that needed to be made more accessible. These included material on WWII code and ciphers, telephone and communications, the , MK New Town archives, film and oral history, archaeology and badminton collection material. After work by the Council with key partners, a £1M 3 year project ‘STACCess’ funded by MKC and HLF began this year to deliver that access. Thoughts now turn to how Milton Keynes might secure the future of its significant 240+ pieces of public art ranging from renowned works such as ‘The Black Horse’ by Elisabeth Frink to incoming community pieces from the 1970s such as ‘The Griffin’ at Eaglestone. Telephones collection at Milton Keynes Museum 7 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

2.2 Strategic Priority Two: Increase Opportunities Heritage offers a broad range of opportunities, including as a visitor, an active participant or as a volunteer. It has the ability to bring people and communities together, support learning Medieval Fair: surgery and expand the experiences of a growing population. at Bradwell Abbey

Aim C: Community 2.3 Strategic Priority Three: The strategy’s major outcomes in this aim are: Actively Celebrate a) Increase engagement in heritage and other sectors by Aim three is to create events that make people proud of Milton marketing and partnering with our commercial Keynes and enthuse people to visit our borough. Using counterparts, introducing digital technologies to increase heritage as a mechanism to celebrate Milton Keynes externally access for all. is a key priority for the Heritage, Museum and Archive Strategy. b) Create a centralised, virtual heritage offer, building on the Aim E: Events existing work of the MK Heritage Association and MK The strategy’s major outcomes in this aim are: Collection partners. a) Establish a year-long programme of events celebrating MK’s c) Co-ordinated skills and training volunteering programme ultimate arrival as an International City welcoming the for local people of all ages and backgrounds with world to its cultural vitality. progression routes and social and health benefits. b) Borough wide major free events that celebrate the unique Aim D: Learning diversity of heritage in Milton Keynes and the communities The strategy’s major outcomes in this aim are: and cultures that have and are contributing to that mix. a) Secure the significant heritage collections of MK making c) International recognition and visitation to high profile them publicly accessible and internationally recognised. events linking global communities to families living here in Milton Keynes. b) Profile heritage throughout MK (including public art) including promoting Redways as a unique resource. Aim F: Communications The strategy’s major outcomes in this aim are: c) Develop enhanced learning through increased use and activity in parks with events and ‘Parks Showcases’ in line a) Heritage is a key component of the Destination with Parks Trust 10 year strategy (2011-21). Management Plan and Visitor Strategy addressing venue signage and interpretation across the borough.

b) Establishing a full Joint Programme for the MK Collection partnership for marketing, organisational and business planning as the primary MK heritage delivery vehicle.

c) Develop new networks of national importance that places MK on a new footing with external profile and recognition of its heritage, including academic research.

Case Study 6: New Towns Network Milton Keynes was the last and greatest of the 20th Century Garden City and New Town settlements and arguably the most successful. Now a generation on, these towns that share a heritage are coming together to profile the academic and community research of one of the most significant stories of the UK yet to be realised and work to seek recognition of this historic new town environment and the unique design principles that give identity and character to them.

Central Milton Keynes 8 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Local Communities out on location filming with Living Archive

3. Delivery

3.1 Heritage, Museum and Archive Delivery Plan, 2014 – 2023 Aspects of the strategy and delivery plan will be initiated and led by Milton Keynes Council Officers who will take a strategic and enabling role. However, a significant part of the delivery will be undertaken jointly with partner organisations, communities, artists and consortia. This is because partners hold the delivery expertise, and have the direct engagement with third parties providing opportunities to audiences and users directly via well-established venues and/or services. Officers therefore support best practice, provide impartial and specialist advice, capacity building, advocacy, fundraising and brokerage to ensure public benefit. 3.2 Sector Leadership This strategy will over the next decade aim to develop the next generation of heritage leaders to step forward and ensure the sector fully contributes to Milton Keynes becoming an international city. By 2023, the following is envisaged:

• Milton Keynes is recognised for its leading museums and archives professionals and well-trained volunteers ensuring 3.3 Annual Review Reporting an ethnically diverse provision blending interactive settings and scrutiny with comprehensive digital access. This strategy is a live document which needs to respond to changing national trends and funding priorities. The Delivery • Creative use of its historic environment, formal heritage Plan is both robust and flexible and projects will be progressed assets and New Town heritage past to maintain Milton in the short, medium and long-term. Its delivery is designed Keynes as a recognised leader in design, architecture and to reflect this and will be reviewed annually by MKC officers urban planning on a city-wide planned scale. reporting against the Promises and Strategic Priorities to remain relevant. • Well used and respected natural heritage, parks and open spaces joined together through trails and way finding The co-ordination for this strategy will be the Council’s means that support Milton Keynes green credentials and heritage lead officer whose annual work plan will be directly make it an attractive place to live, work and visit. derived from the Delivery Plan. This officer will ensure that information is gained from partners during this annual review • Heritage contributing fully to business and economic process alongside the existing quarterly performance development, health and social wellbeing and learning and monitoring systems that are in place. For those organisations skills development across the city. which are in funding or partnership project agreements with the Council there will be additional monitoring meetings. • Milton Keynes leaders also have a national and global Additionally, to ensure other areas of heritage are developed presence and with that, a city internationally renowned for and to ensure co-ordination across MKC where different its important heritage. departments are engaged in programmes, a new Heritage Strategy Officers Group (HSOG) will be established.

External scrutiny will be held regularly at each annual review by the AHA-MK Officers Group. Additionally, reporting updates are given and advice is sought from two external member partnerships, the MK Heritage Association Executive and the MK Heritage Consortium on behalf of the wider heritage and cultural sectors. 9 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Strategic Priority 1: ENHANCE IDENTITY Aim A: People Programme Stakeholder Major Outcome Outputs/Projects Group 2014-2016 2017-2019 2020-2023 i) Characterisation MK Council; People-led, active preservation a) Active Archaeology: Raise archaeology profile through x x English Heritage; of our New Town and lesser greater support of National Archaeology Festival, Living Archive; known historic environment, Archaeology Day and other events profiling Milton Keynes’ MK CDC; recognising the unique historic archaeology and Historic Environment Record. MKHA. landscape of Milton Keynes and profiling its lesser known b) Heritage Assets: Securing, protecting, bringing back into x x x and richly diverse heritage. re-use and enabling greater public access to Milton Keynes’ formally designated ‘Heritage Assets’ or those assets as defined by the planning authority as having a heritage character or interest.

c) Heritage at Risk: Identifying heritage at risk across the x x borough area and formulating plans with owners and community partners to secure its future.

d) Local List project: Identify the significant ‘New Town’ x heritage of Milton Keynes to recognise its importance and character to the city.

ii) Heritage Hub MK Council; Improving the quality of life for a) Bradwell Windmill: Delivering a refurbished windmill at x Parks Trust; residents in and visitors to an the centre of its local community and new tourism focus as MK Collection; area of MK that has distinctive part of a community-led bespoke activity and events Town/Parish heritage hub appeal bringing programme. Councils; tourism, economic and health Others. & wellbeing to an area b) Northern Heritage Corridor: Linking important forms x x stretching from Stony Stratford of heritage and culture together across Northern Milton – Cosgrove/ Wolverton – New Keynes, recognising the rich identity of its industrial, Bradwell – Great Linford - transport and rural past. Newport Pagnell. c) Wolverton Neighbourhood Plan – Support Wolverton & x x Greenleys Town Council to deliver Objective 2 (Heritage) of the Wolverton Neighbourhood plan in line with the wider Hub programme.

iii) Integrate MK Council Heritage integration with a) Discover MK Showcases: Integrating the current x x MK Collection other cultural sectors resulting Discover MK heritage showcase offer in libraries for arts, MK Dons SET in added value joint library and wider cultural programmes. MKHA programme to profile the Sports Board distinctive identity of Milton b) Our Sporting Life: MK: Building on London 2012 success x Others Keynes and its individual by profiling the sporting heritage of Milton Keynes. Focus on component parts. Rugby for 2015 and International Rugby World Cup.

c) Public Art - Heritage Schemes: Integrate heritage into x x x public art development projects that link to heritage through active or indirect means.

Grand Union Canal at New Bradwell

10 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Aim B: Place Programme Stakeholder Major Outcome Outputs/Projects Group 2014-2016 2017-2019 2020-2023 i) Capitalising on MK Council Raised profile of MK cultural a) EU Capital of Culture: Work in partnership across MK to x x Culture Heritage Sector excellence through researching develop an empowered leadership group to take this and developing an EU Capital initiative forward, implement the agreed plan and ensure a of Culture. meaningful legacy.

ii) MK: City of Design MK Council International recognition of a) Architecture and Design: Celebrating the unique MK x x Destination MK MK’s unique design approach design identity through architecture, design and wider MK Collection and as a modern, innovative public realm. Parks Trust and creative city, with potential MK College; for UNESCO status. Focus on b) Design Audit: Complete audit of original, historic urban x MKHA; MK PAT; architecture, urban design, design and public realm approach to inform future University public realm, craft, public art, approach to urban planning in MK. partners. technical design and creative industries, underpinned by c) Midsummer/CMK: Blend historic CMK design approach x x academic research. with current design innovation to transform Midsummer Boulevard East.

d) MK Creative City of Design project: Identify design x x strengths of MK across creative industries, businesses and cultural sector to support heritage design and explore potential for UNESCO creative city of design status.

iii) Cultural MK Council To secure a cultural a) Biblio-Tech Delivering a combined major city centre x x x Endowment/Fund MK Collection endowment which alongside knowledge facility of Library, Archive, Showcase and MKCF; MKHA; arts can support major associated learning and information. Business sector. museum, archive and heritage infrastructure, responding to b) Heritage Fund: Work in partnership to develop a x x the changing investment focus long-term, sustainable fund to enable heritage development by MKC. and seed funding for major projects.

c) Milton Keynes Museum Expansion Enhance MK x Museum so it can be the complete ‘Story of MK’ Museum as identified in the original Masterplan.

iv) Cultural MK Collection Capital and associated heritage a) Bletchley Park Phase 2: Further developing the museum x x Infrastructure Aston Martin activity programmes for a and historic site to deliver internationally renowned learning Heritage Trust; range of historic sites, routes and collections access. Badminton and collections which will be England; Beds/ realised throughout the life of b) Bradwell Abbey: Refurbishing and securing for the future x x MK Waterways this strategy and contribute to the Bradwell Abbey medieval site for heritage and Trust; MK Council; MK as an international city. community use. Parks Trust MK. c) Cowper & Newton Museum: Courtyard/Amazing Grace x projects to increase use of this historic site and its international story.

d) Museum of Aston Martin: Explore and support options x for major museum in Newport Pagnell, associated with the historic Aston martin site.

e) National Badminton Museum at National Bowl: x Establishing a modern Badminton Museum and access to its international story and collections.

Sunrise over the Barn at Great Linford Manor Courtyard, home to MK Arts Centre 11 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Strategic Priority 2: INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES Aim C: Community Programme Stakeholder Major Outcome Outputs/Projects Group 2014-2016 2017-2019 2020-2023 i) Active Audiences MK Council; To increase engagement in a) Arts and Heritage Audiences Cluster: Organisations x AHA-MK; heritage and other sectors by sharing audience data to develop diverse and popular Cultural sector; marketing and competing with activity programmes. Destination MK. our commercial counterparts. Introducing digital b) Culture Card/App: Explore a single ‘culture card’ including x technologies to engage heritage rewards and incentives to residents, visitors and audiences. targeted audiences.

c) Technophile: Enabling access to heritage information and x collections via smart technology and social media platforms.

ii) Communities of MKHA; A centralised virtual heritage a) ARCH: MK (Archives in the Community): Develop a virtual x Virtual Interest MK Collection; offer, building on the existing community archives network across the MKHA membership (COVI) MK Council; work of the MKHA and MK that safeguards physical collection items and materials Community Collection websites and portals. within the wider community. Action MK; Others. b) Online Collections Access:' MK Collection' collections x x portal developed by Heritage Consortium and supported by MKC to deliver online collections access to key MK items and collections held across the partnership.

c) Heritage Online Portal: Development of the MKHA x online portal, MK Collection portal and individual member websites to explore how information is accessible more widely beyond members to the public.

iii) Volunteering MK Collection A co-ordinated skills and a) MK Collection Volunteer Programme: Development of x x Parks Trust MK training volunteering joint programme amongst Heritage Consortium members AHA-MK; MKHA programme (with Arts sector) and other partners for centralised volunteer programme Community for local people of all ages and targeting skills, development and social wellbeing. Action MK backgrounds with progression routes and social and health b) Parks volunteering programme: Programme for x x benefits. environmental volunteering including historic landscape and wildlife management and potential for widening to non-parks trust owned historic environment.

c) STACCESS: MK - Volunteers: Collections-based x conservation and preservation management training and skills development resulting in public access, learning and social wellbeing benefits.

Bronze Age Gold dating from 1150 – 800BC found at Monkston Park and held at the British Museum. Replicas owned by MK Council are on permanent loan to MK Museum.

12 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Aim D: Learning Programme Stakeholder Major Outcome Outputs/Projects Group 2014-2016 2017-2019 2020-2023 i) Collections MK Collection; To secure the significant a) Campbell Park Commissions: Building on the public art x x x Cenotaph Trust; heritage collections of Milton plan and original master plan for Campbell Park as a MK Council; Keynes making them publicly sculpture park. MK PAT. accessible and internationally recognised. b) Collections Strategy: Developing an Milton Keynes-wide x heritage collections strategy for existing historic collections and future contemporary collecting.

c) Public Art Collection: Complete audit of current x collection and plan to secure it for future or decommission if necessary.

d) STACCESS: MK - Collections: Develop a Joint Collections x Care and Management programme within a central resource centre.

ii) Heritage Inspired MK Council; Profiling heritage throughout a) Arts, Public Art and Heritage Activity Trails: Integrate x x Trails MK Collection; Milton Keynes (including current trails across Milton Keynes, with focus on Millennium MK PAT; public art) for resident route and Cross-CMK – Willen Lake route. Towns/Parish (including new communities) Councils. participation and visitor b) Bradwells' History Trails/Pilgrim Trail: Centred on x benefit bringing in tourism, Bradwell Abbey to explore connections across settlements establishing landmark way and public art inspired ‘Pilgrim Trail’ re-connecting Abbey to finding and encouraging use historic woodland and Snelshall priory site. of Redways and linear park walking routes as a unique c) Cowper’s Alcove and Trail: Trail linking sites with William x resource. Cowper connections across Olney, Weston Underwood and surrounding rural area.

d) Newport Pagnell Civil War Project: Develop existing x x civil war trail and walking route information to build a USP for Newport Pagnell and explore potential for major themed activity and Civil War Centre Visitor Centre.

iii) Inspirational MK Parks Trust; Developing increased learning a) Community Parks: Explore natural heritage open space x x Parks MK Council; through historic recognition and existing ‘new town’ play areas historic characteristics as Towns/Parish of linear parks, open space and base for active learning (e.g. Blue Lagoon, for Lakes Estate, Councils. play areas resulting in increased Bletchley, Robert Hooke Park, Willen, etc). use/activity in parks with events and ‘Parks Showcases’ in line b) Parks Showcase Venues: Developing themed showcase x x x with Parks Trust 10 yr strategy facilities across Milton Keynes as bases for Parks Trust and (2011-21). partner delivery.

c) New Parks for New Communities: New Linear Parks x x providing active spaces for new resident communities (e.g. WEA, EEA and Stanton Low).

d) Willen Lake: Major project to develop a regional tourism x destination and natural heritage and ‘Xtreme’ sports activity in parkland setting.

Grade II Listed Victorian Farmhouse at MK Museum 13 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Strategic Priority 3: ACTIVELY CELEBRATE Aim E: Events Programme Stakeholder Major Outcome Outputs/Projects Group 2014-2016 2017-2019 2020-2023 i) Cultural MK Council Developing cultural excellence a) Director Programmes: Milestone year-long programmes x x x Excellence Cultural Sector; within the heritage and wider by internationally renowned artistic directors celebrating Destination MK; sectors to transform MK into major event years, commencing with Rugby World Cup MK Collection; an International City welcoming cultural programme. Parks Trust; the world to its cultural vitality University and potential for 2023 b) European Academic Research Project: University-led x partners. European Capital of Culture. academic research programme that links MK across European cities/communities along major themes celebrating MK’s heritage.

c) Heritage Partnership Programme: MK Collections-led x x x major heritage activity programme for 2015, developing capacity for 2017 50th anniversary and ongoing major programme culminating in heritage programme for European Capital of Culture in 2023.

ii) Heritage MK Parks Trust; Borough wide major free a) Campbell Park Festivals (World Picnic and EF Diversity): xxx Access for All AHA-MK; events that celebrate the Events supporting Campbell Park as a major city-wide MK Collection; unique diversity of heritage in venue, including major ethnic festivals open to all MK Council; Milton Keynes and enable the communities in MK. Town and Parish communities and cultures that Councils; have and are contributing to b) Carnivals, Parades and Festivals: Events by local x x x Others. that mix to participate fully. organisations for their communities celebrating local identity, place and the diversity of MK.

c) MK Heritage Open Days: Annual National FREE Festival x x x each September continues to deliver for MK communities and visitors.

iii) International MK Council; International recognition and a) IF – International Festival: Heritage sector support x x x Invitation AHA-MK; visitation to high profile events through venue activity and information for the biennial IF MK Collection; linking global communities to Programmes. The Stables; families living here in Milton WFA; Others. Keynes encouraging the ‘World b) International Rugby World Cup 2015: Supporting the x to come to MK’. sporting event with associated heritage and cultural activity programme.

c) MK @ 50 - Celebrating MK’s 50th anniversary 2017: xx Planning and implementing the Heritage-led celebration of MK’s New Town including new heritage facilities as it reaches the half-century on 23rd January 2017.

d) WWI Centenary 2014 – 2018: Ensuring the lives and x x sacrifices of MK people are nationally commemorated and celebrated.

Living Archive: local school children performing as part of a World War II project 14 Milton Keynes Heritage, Museums & Archives Strategy 2014-2023

Aim F: Communications Programme Stakeholder Major Outcome Outputs/Projects Group 2014-2016 2017-2019 2020-2023 i) Cultural Tourism Destination MK; Heritage is a key component a) Destination Management Plan (DMP): Ensure heritage x MK Council; of the Destination Management participation in the delivery and implementation of the DMP Parks Trust; Plan and Visitor Strategy along for Milton Keynes. Others. with other cultural sectors addressing venue signage and b) Brown Signs Strategy for heritage venues: Ensuring x x interpretation issues. heritage venues have accurate Brown Signs for tourism visits.

c) Way finding (Brochures, signage and virtual):Using the x x unique Redways to signpost audiences to heritage and cultural venues, sites and objects.

ii) MK Collection MK Collection Joint Programme which a) Collections and Access: Continuing the Joint Programme x Partners MK Council continues to develop MK to deliver Collections Management and Public Access to MKHA; MK AHA Collection partnership for joint heritage programme business planning and primary heritage delivery b) Events and Marketing: Continuing to develop a shared x vehicle across Milton Keynes. Event Calendar and activity programme for heritage across Milton Keynes.

c) Volunteering and Learning: Continuing a Volunteer x Programme to benefit Learners of all ages through informal/ formal training with links to schools, adult education, universities and businesses.

iii) Regional MK Council; Developing new networks of a) Bedford to Milton Keynes Canal: Heritage activity and x x Networks MK Collection; national importance that profile for this new route to provide regional natural MKHA; SEMLEP; places MK on a new footing heritage network and associated trails. University with external profile and partners; recognition of its heritage, b) MK Heritage Association Membership Network: xxx Others. including through academic Support and develop primary heritage network across research. wider SEMLEP region.

c) New Towns Network: Through University support, x x x ensure that Milton Keynes is at centre of developing New Towns Networks across region and beyond.

d) Regional Cultural Network: Support Museums, Archives, x x Arts and Libraries Networks working and coming together for shared cultural activity.

e) SEMLEP Archives Network: Developing a Regional x Archives Network to determine Archives joint provision across SEMLEP region.

Heritage Strategic Delivery partners:

Milton Keynes Council Milton Keynes Council Community Facilities Unit, Conservation and Archaeology, Arts, Heritage and Libraries, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, MK9 3EJ Saxon Court, Avebury Boulevard, T 01908 252599 Milton Keynes MK9 3HS E [email protected] T 01908 253884 E [email protected] E [email protected] W www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/ W www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/heritage conservation-archaeology 15

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