NATIONAL MUSEUMS & GALLERIES OF WALES
NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 Access for all! 2 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
© National Museums & Galleries of Wales, 2002 Editor: Robin Gwyn Translator: Nia Wyn Jones Production: Arwel Hughes, Mari Gordon Design: Andrew Griffiths
Printed by: Mid Wales Litho
ISBN: 0 7200 0524 8
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‘Removing the financial barrier to visiting the National Museums and Galleries has opened up the treasures of our Nation and the foundations of our heritage to everyone in Wales no matter what their income or background’
Jenny Randerson, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language 87.8% increase in total visitor figures 4 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
NMGW’s supporters
The President and Council would like to thank the following, and those who wish to remain anonymous, for their generous support of the National Museums & Galleries of Wales in the period from 1st April 2001 to 31st March 2002
Corporate Sponsors The G. C. Gibson Charitable Trust Dafydd Bowen Lewis Arts & Business Cymru Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Gerald & Pat Long Barclays Charity Hefin Looker BG Transco plc Heritage Lottery Fund Howard Moore BT JPMorgan Fleming John & Doreen Morgan Cardiff International Airport Educational Trust Mrs Rosemary Morgan Flight International Lloyds TSB Foundation Malcolm & Monica Porter GE Aircraft Engine Services, Inc. Local Regeneration Fund Mathew & Angela Prichard GMB Mary Homfray Charitable Trust Mrs Michele Proctor Legal & General National Art Collections Fund Dr Colin Richards Lloyds TSB Commercial The Pilgrim Trust John Roberts Phillips Auctioneers S. R. & P. H. Southall Mike & Mary Salter Redrow South Wales Ltd Charitable Trust Alan K. P. Smith Standard Signs The Vale of Glamorgan Dr P. M. Smith Transport & General Workers Union Environmental Partnership Ltd John & Jane Sorotos Unison Wales Tourist Board Jaci Stephen WDA Worshipful Company of Gardeners Roger G. Thomas Westco Group Ltd Worshipful Company of Weavers John Foster Thomas The Western Mail David & Christine Vokes Individual Donors giving in Mrs Meriel Watkins Founder and Corporate excess of £250 Richard Weston Members David & Diana Andrews Dr Hilary Yewlett Barclays Leslie & Marian Beckett 2 Anonymous Patrons GE Engine Services Inc. David & Carole Burnett Golley Slater & Partners Ltd Gerald & Ann Coleman Individual Donors giving in Lloyds TSB Commercial Service Mrs Valerie Courage excess of £1,000 MEM Group Geraint Talfan Davies The Rt Hon. The Earl of Plymouth S. A. Brain & Co. Ltd Walter & Shael Dickie DL, FRSA Redrow Homes David Glan Evans Viscount Windsor Lewis J. Evans R. Paul Russell Tr usts, Foundations and other Marion Evans Dr Margaret Berwyn Jones Major Supporters Mrs Christine Eynon Anonymous Trust Roger Farrance Life Patrons The Atlantic Foundation David Fine Capt. Norman Lloyd Edwards Cardiff County Council Michael Griffith Mrs Enid Child The Clothworkers’ Foundation G. Wyn Howells Christopher Gridley, Esq. Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation David Watson James, OBE Mrs Joan Gridley The Derek Williams Trust Jane Jenkins Mr Wynford & Mrs Sigi Evans Ernest Cook Trust Dr & Mrs T. P. Jones Drs M. & P. C. Elmes The European Union Miss K. P. Kernick R. Paul Russell Friends of NMGW The Rt Hon. Neil Kinnock Dr Margaret Berwyn Jones
If you would like to find out about ways in which you or your organisation can support NMGW’s work, then please contact our Development Department on (029) 2057 3483.
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The exhibition Flight, which ran at the National CONTENTS Museum & Gallery between June 2001 and February 2002. 6 President’s Foreword Mathew Prichard 10 Director’s Introduction Anna Southall 12 Delivery How NMGW measured against its main performance indicators in 2001-2002 14 Achievements How NMGW delivered the Welsh Assembly Government agenda in 2001-2002 18 Goals How NMGW will support the Plan for Wales in 2002-2003 20 Central Services A dynamic organisation at work 26 Working in Wales and beyond NMGW’s diversity of sites and activities 50 Court of Governors, Council and Management Board
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President’s Foreword Past and future
A year of challenges introduction of the policy of providing It is with a mixture of great pride and universal free access to the collections some sadness that I present this, my final that NMGW hold in trust for the nation. overview of a full financial year as The ‘Free For All’ policy, introduced for President of the National Museums & national museums in Wales in April 2001 Galleries of Wales. – a full eight months before its As my term as President ends with the introduction in England – proved to be a presentation of this Report to the Court huge success with the people of Wales of the Museums in October 2002, next and tourists alike. Thanks to additional year’s foreword will be written by Paul funding and support provided by Welsh Loveluck – a new President with new Assembly Government Minister for ideas about the future direction of what I Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language, believe to be Wales’ premier heritage Jenny Randerson, the total number of organisation. I wish Paul well in meeting visits to NMGW’s eight sites across Wales the undoubted challenges that lie ahead. increased by 87% in the first year of The publication of this Report also marks operation. Attracting over 1.4 million ‘The ‘Free For All’ policy, the end of Anna Southall’s sterling service visits in just 12 months dwarfed the total of 765,000 for 2000-2001. introduced for national to the Museums as Director. As she becomes the next Chief Executive of Many of the visitors to the Museums and museums in Wales in April Resource: The Council for Museums, Galleries since April 2001 have either not 2001 – a full eight months Libraries and Archives in England, been to any of our sites before or have Resource’s gain will be very much before its introduction in not visited for many, many years. In Wales’ loss. addition, our traditional visitors are now England – proved to be a I would like also to take this opportunity coming back more frequently, visiting huge success with the to thank all the staff, Council members more of our eight sites and experiencing people of Wales and and other volunteers who have served more of the diversity of what we have to NMGW during my term. The level of offer them. tourists alike’ commitment at all levels has been truly amazing. A year of achievement Another set of milestones can be I have every confidence that the work of clustered around the delivery of transforming NMGW into a 21st – NMGW’s ‘Industrial Strategy’ – examining century institution that has gathered the links between the industrial heritage momentum under Anna and myself will of a particular area and its social and continue under the new leadership. cultural history and present day creative industries. This Strategy embraces three A year of freedom existing museums as well as the There has been plenty of evidence during development of a new industrial and 2001-2002 that some major aspirations maritime museum in Swansea: have already been realised and that others are well on their way to being • following re-development three years delivered. One of the most visible ago, the Welsh Slate Museum at milestones achieved was the re- Llanberis has enjoyed a 600% increase
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in visits and won the Wales Tourist by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Welsh Anna Southall and Jenny Randerson AM Board’s Sense of Place Award for the Development Agency, the Wales Tourist celebrate the one millionth visit, October 2001. creation of a distinctively Welsh Board and the Welsh Assembly ambience Government itself.
• re-development work totalling £7m has A year of co-operation now begun on site at Big Pit: National Following a series of meetings with artists Mining Museum of Wales in Blaenavon and other interested parties, NMGW’s and is due for completion in autumn Consultation on the Display of Art 2003 culminated in the creation of ‘Views of • the Museum of the Welsh Woollen the Future’. This public consultation Industry in Dre-fach Felindre, document will now ensure that the Carmarthenshire is now closed for a general public can play a vital part in year. It will re-open under a new name redefining NMGW’s approach to the after its £1.7m face-lift in time for the display of the collections of art that it 2003 summer season holds in trust for the nation. • following a grant of nearly £11m from ‘Views of the Future’ is very much about the Heritage Lottery Fund (awarded in taking forward the partnership principles principle in 2001 and confirmed in July behind a scheme that was formulated 2002), NMGW is now well on the way during 2001-2002. Now titled Cyfoeth to realising one of Europe’s most Cymru Gyfan – Sharing the Treasures, exciting new museums on the Swansea the scheme will enable NMGW and the Waterfront Council of Museums in Wales to establish pilot projects at three venues across The combined total capital investment in Wales – Oriel Ynys Môn, Wrexham the Industrial Strategy over the next three Museum and Brecknock Museum – to years is set to be around £40m, with examine diverse ways of increasing access much of the funding due to be provided to national collections.
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President’s Foreword
‘NMGW is a well-governed and well-directed organisation that has recently made fundamental improvements to its arrangements for delivering the strategic objectives of the Assembly’
The Final Report of the Quinquennial Review of NMGW, School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham
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A year of modernisation One development that has not yet got off During the year, an independent review the ground is that of the expansion of the of the governance and performance of Collections Centre at Nantgarw in the NMGW endorsed the work of the south Wales valleys. It is this development organisation. Every five years, the Welsh that is now essential to all our future Assembly Government commissions a plans. Good storage, good conservation review of its Assembly Sponsored Public facilities and good amenities for servicing Bodies. The Final Report of the loans to and from the collections Quinquennial Review of NMGW, underpin the opening of more glamorous conducted by the School of Public Policy elements, such as galleries and at the University of Birmingham, exhibitions. concluded that NMGW is: In Nantgarw, we have acquired an ‘a well-governed and well-directed excellent building with room to expand. organisation that has recently made We need £9.7m phased over three years fundamental improvements to its to do so. I would not expect the Welsh arrangements for delivering the strategic Assembly Government to fund this facility objectives of the Assembly … It provides an in full, but we will need their impressive array of achievements at a commitment to its development in order NMGW’s Collections Centre, Nantgarw. reasonable cost. At the same time, its to attract grants from other areas of the arm’s-length relationship with the Assembly public sector. gives it the degree of independence The maintenance of high standards must necessary to its role in the long-term not be jeopardised by the pressure to sustainable stewardship of the treasures welcome ever-increasing numbers of vested in its trust.’ visitors to see our collections. Buildings The Final Report contained a total of and grounds must be well maintained and twenty-four recommendations. An action adequately staffed; the collections must plan was drawn up by NMGW and the continue to be researched and cared for Welsh Assembly Government to and the displays enriched and enlivened implement all of them – including two by newly discovered knowledge and that relate directly to reforming the recently restored artefacts. constitution of NMGW. The funding of the Museums must reflect the need to strike a balance between the A year of reflection ‘I believe it is absolutely financing of new developments and core Finally, as I look back on what has been activity. We must be recognised by the vital that NMGW strikes a achieved and what issues remain to be public as an organisation that not only addressed, I believe it is absolutely vital balance between being encourages creativity but also promotes that NMGW strikes a balance between excellence in the maintenance, exemplary custodians of being exemplary custodians of Wales’ restoration and care of collections. Wales’ national collections national collections and operating Wales’ flagship visitor attractions. Without the I commend this Report to you as sound and operating Wales’ secure bedrock of proper stewardship, evidence of why we at NMGW must flagship visitor attractions’ conservation and curation, the Museums constantly strive to invest in our will not be able to maintain existing infrastructure and core activities in order national and international standards, let to achieve sustained improvement in our alone fulfil ever-increasing visitor openness, accessibility and inclusiveness. expectations.
Mathew Prichard President
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Director’s Introduction Purpose and dir
A year of delivery extraordinary year. Without their wisdom, Hiraeth is the Welsh word for a concept their far-sighted enthusiasm and their that is extremely difficult to define in the tireless and selfless support for our vision English language. It is a combination of we would have aspired to less and both a profound longing for and a deep achieved little for the people of Wales. affinity with something much loved – be it One of the most fundamental changes a person, a period in time, a shared that I have promoted during my period as experience, a community or a whole Director is the increasing alignment country. I have spent just over six years in between the historic ideals, aims and Wales, first as an Assistant Director and, objectives of NMGW as an institution on for the last four years, as Director of the the one hand and the Welsh Assembly National Museums & Galleries of Wales. Government’s own economic and social When I leave in October to take up a agendas on the other. I would therefore new role in England, as Chief Executive of also like to thank the Welsh Assembly Resource: The Council for Museums, Government for its consistent support for Libraries and Archives, I know now that I the work of NMGW throughout 2001- will experience a powerful hiraeth for 2002. In particular, decisive action in both NMGW and Wales. ‘I would like to pay tribute March 2001 by the Minister for Culture, to the 600 staff … It is with a combination of pride and Sport and the Welsh Language, Jenny sadness therefore that I take this Randerson, ensured that NMGW had at NMGW’s nine opportunity to look back at 2001-2002 – sufficient funding to introduce free locations across Wales’ a year in which NMGW delivered so admission to NMGW a week later on much on so many fronts. April 1st, a most successful policy that has gained universal popular support. Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the 600 staff who have done the real work at 19th Century Ideals NMGW’s nine locations across Wales – NMGW was established by Royal eight museums and a Collections Centre. Charter in 1907 as the National Museum Bringing together a dynamic team of of Wales, as part of the great Victorian Directors has given me huge pleasure drive to establish museums as places of and the effectiveness of this teamwork wonder and learning for ordinary people. has been vital to the leadership of change. An independent registered charity, The Directorate has been keenly and NMGW receives its core funding through imaginatively supported by Management grant-in-aid from the Welsh Assembly Forum, a larger team of specialist and Government as an Assembly Sponsored professional managers across all Public Body. Its core activities involve departments of NMGW. developing, caring for, studying and Secondly, I would like to acknowledge sustaining access to its collections for the with great personal gratitude the benefit of society in perpetuity. The contribution of the Council of NMGW, Charter (1907, revised 1991) states that and the President in particular, which has this is to be achieved: been crucial to NMGW’s growing ‘primarily by the complete illustration of success, culminating in this last, the geology, mineralogy, zoology,
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botany, ethnography, archaeology, art, • gain wider recognition of its relevance history and special industries of Wales to the needs of an inclusive society and generally by collection, • make its collections, and the knowledge conservation, elucidation, presentation inherent in them, ever more widely and publication.’ accessible 21st Century Aims • promote leadership and effective NMGW currently aims to: management, and develop an open- minded organisational culture • promote a wide understanding and knowledge of Wales’ heritage, culture • improve its funding base to enable it to and role in world development and achieve its priorities. history Future Goals • provide Wales with a national museum By interpreting and applying NMGW’s ‘One of the most service which is an international centre priorities in contemporary and dynamic of excellence, ensuring the best fundamental changes that ways, I am convinced that we are proving possible care for our continually beyond doubt that museums play a I have promoted during my expanding collections of national and central role in society today. This Report international renown and importance period as Director is the demonstrates how by helping to deliver • encourage research, study and the Assembly Government’s flagship increasing alignment appreciation of the arts, humanities, strategies, such as the Plan For Wales, between the historic sciences and technology, through our Creative Future and Winning Wales, ideals, aims and objectives collections and expertise NMGW is helping Wales to become inclusive, sustainable, more equal and of NMGW as an • inspire an ever-widening audience to knowledgeable; to be a cultured country visit and enjoy our excellent museums institution on the one hand in the fullest sense of the word. and benefit from their diverse and the Welsh Assembly resources and facilities This Annual Report for the National Government’s own Museums & Galleries of Wales looks to • develop wisely and use creatively and the very exciting future of this great economic and social effectively all our resources, ensuring institution as it approaches its centenary in maximum efficiency and value for money. agendas on the other’ 2007, as well as back at the proud achievements of the past year. I hope you The Corporate Plan shows how NMGW will enjoy reading it. will address five current strategic issues between 2003 and 2006 in order to ensure that its activities promote these Anna Southall aims in line with the objectives identified Director NMGW by the Welsh Assembly Government. NMGW will: • ensure that it can properly look after the collections and estates entrusted to its care
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Delivery 2001-2002 Performance and attainment How NMGW measured against its main performance indicators
VISITOR FIGURES APRIL 2001 – MARCH 2002
National Museum & Gallery Cardiff Segontium Roman Museum
00/01 226,876 00/01 8,810 Target 01/02 230,000 Target 01/02 10,000 Actual 01/02 353,924 Actual 01/02 12,565 +56% +42.6%
Museum of Welsh Life Turner House Gallery
00/01 321,810 00/01 10,554 Target 01/02 350,000 Target 01/02 8,000 Actual 01/02 694,899 Actual 01/02 11,706 +115.9% +10.9%
Roman Legionary Museum Welsh Slate Museum
00/01 58,997 00/01 53,890 Target 01/02 58,000 Target 01/02 58,000 Actual 01/02 70,160 Actual 01/02 144,408 +18.9% +168%
Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry* Big Pit (closed Dec/Jan 2001)
00/01 9,036 00/01 74,626 Target 01/02 6,000 Target 01/02 80,000 Actual 01/02 12,576 Actual 01/02 130,190 +39.2% +74.5% * No target set for MWWI for October-November 2001 and January-February
To tal for all National Museums & Galleries of Wales
00/01 764,599 Target 01/02 800,000 Actual 01/02 1,430,428 +87.8%
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PERFORMANCE INDICATORS APRIL 2001 – MARCH 2002 2000/2001 2001/2002 2001/2002 actual target actual Number of visitors in 201,310 160,000 228,114 education related parties (formal education) (formal education) 55,000 141,187 (informal education) (informal education) Number of participants in 114,220 114,000 114,003 outreach programmes % of general visitors from New Indicator 2001/2 10% 37% socially disadvantaged groups Number of venues to which 207 250 272 loans have been made Number of website visits 302,140 330,000 481,193 Number of website visits 21,810 24,000 34,742 over 10 minutes Number of web pages viewed 900,870 1,050,000 1,831,221 Number of peer-reviewed publications 30 40 52 Number of other professional 28 30 49 books/monographs including catalogues Number of collection enquiries 15,980 16,000 17,594 % permanent and long-term exhibition 3% 2.5% 9% space renewed during last year Number of temporary exhibitions during 20 15 20 the year at NMGW Museums Number of temporary exhibitions during 6 10 15 the year on tour Grant-in-aid per visitor (gross figure £20.74 £19.99 £11.88 including all grant-in-aid revenue, capital (based on GIA of and specimens purchase) £16,994.00 and 1,430,428 visitors) Grant-in-aid per user* (user nos. = £16.19 £16.04 £10.58 visitor nos. + participants in off-site (based on GIA of activities + website visits over 10 minutes £16,994.00 and + collection enquiries) 1,605,079 users as defined in Grant-in-aid per user*, opposite) Grant-in-aid as a proportion of total 88.2% 93.5% 88.1% operating spend (gross figure including all grant-in-aid revenue, capital and specimens purchase), (total operating spend = unrestricted + restricted columns from annual accounts less any sums on collection purchases and capital works) Retail income £596,684.00 £1,118,116.00 Retail net profit £44,343.00 £281,257.00
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Achievements 2001-2002 Progress and gr
" Access extended How NMGW supported history workshops and performances. betterwales.com: the Welsh • Following an award of £1m by the Assembly Government Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to the " Partnerships Strategic Plan ‘Gathering the Jewels’ programme, created NMGW has continued to digitise all its ‘Better opportunities for learning’ oil paintings and sculptures and parts of other collections in partnership with the 1.43 million visits were made to National Library of Wales and other " Investment NMGW sites. key organisations. attracted • NMGW has made its collections • Detailed research was undertaken to accessible to 215,000 visitors from the assess the current range of work formal education sector, and 100,000 undertaken by NMGW within Wales in " Accountability life-long learners, through a partnership with other bodies. This increased programme of over 200 events ranging research also sought to provide an from lectures and recitals to living overview of a potential co-ordinated
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scheme of partnerships and a simple ‘A better, stronger economy’ structure for its delivery. NMGW is currently involved in capital • The Council of Museums in Wales developments worth a total of £40m. (CMW) was granted £40,000 by the • In July 2001 the National Waterfront Welsh Assembly Government to Museum Swansea project secured develop pilot partnership schemes with inward investment in principle from the NMGW. Three venues were identified Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) of £11m. ‘In July 2001 the National by CMW to participate in the pilot The opening of the state-of-the-art schemes: Anglesey County Museums & Waterfront Museum industrial and maritime museum is Culture Service, Brecknock Museum & scheduled for 2005. Swansea project secured Art Gallery, and Wrexham County Borough Museum. • In March 2002, the Museum of the inward investment in Welsh Woollen Industry at Dre-fach principle from the • During 2001-2002, each venue Felindre was formally closed to the submitted proposals for using the funds Heritage Lottery Fund public to allow a £1.7m redevelopment to develop projects and enhance following the award of £1m from the of £11m’ infrastructure provision to enable them HLF. The Museum will re-open under to access NMGW collections. The a new name in the spring of 2003. scheme, entitled ‘Cyfoeth Cymru Gyfan – Sharing the Treasures’ was • Work has also begun at Big Pit: The launched in May 2002 by the Minister National Mining Museum of Wales, for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Blaenafon, where inward investment of Language, Jenny Randerson. £6m has facilitated a redevelopment
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Achievements 2001-2002
‘In the first year of operation, the Free For All policy saw the total number of visits to NMGW’s museums increase by 87% to 1.4m’
project which, when complete, will be foundations of Welsh heritage to worth a total of £7.9m. everyone in Wales regardless of their income or background. • All three projects will safeguard and create jobs in Objective One areas, • In the first year of operation, the ‘Free and make a direct contribution to the For All’ policy saw the total number of economic regeneration of the wider visits to NMGW’s museums increase destinations. by 87% to 1.4m, dwarfing the total of 765,000 for 2000–2001. The most ‘Better quality of life’ dramatic increases have been at the Welsh Slate Museum (up 168%) and Cultural identity underpins a socially the Museum of Welsh Life (up 110%). cohesive and prosperous society. • The findings of visitor research • The removal of admission charges at undertaken by NMGW confirm that NMGW museums, made possible Wales is leading the way in extending through additional funding and support access to cultural heritage. The from the Welsh Assembly percentage of visitors from social Government, has opened up the classes C2, D and E rose from 31% in www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 17
The National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff
1998 (the last survey year when all Government in November 2001. The ‘The findings of visitor visitors paid for admission) to 37% in review concluded that NMGW is a research undertaken by 2001. This represents a 19% increase ‘well-governed and well-directed in share. organisation that has recently made NMGW confirm that fundamental improvements to its • Free entry has encouraged traditional Wales is leading the way in arrangements for delivering the strategic visitors to come back more frequently objectives of the Assembly Government’. extending access to whilst encouraging a modest increase in the numbers of new visitors of a • An action plan has been drawn up by cultural heritage’ different profile. NMGW to act upon the twenty-four recommendations contained in the ‘Better, simpler government’ Final Report; the most significant of which related to the governance of the NMGW has made ‘fundamental organisation, specifically the future of improvements’. Court. • The Final Report of the Quinquennial Review of NMGW was presented to a plenary session of the Welsh Assembly
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Goals 2002/2003 Aims and ambit
" Develop How NMGW will support the Association of Visitor Attractions to Plan for Wales spread the benefits of free entry to the Audiences tourism sector in Wales by acting as ‘Developing the learning country’ cultural tourism gateways. • NMGW will complete a community- " Educate Tourists based education project – On ‘Where we live’ Common Ground, funded by the • NMGW will continue its commitment Museums & Galleries Access Fund – to the Cyfoeth Cymru Gyfan – Sharing " Sustain that aims to equip young adults outside the Treasures partnership with the formal education with key skills by Council of Museums in Wales, whilst Communities exploring new approaches to museum actively pursuing new initiatives in and heritage access. partnership working in Wales. " Define Identities • NMGW will play a major role in the • NMGW will continue to develop production and promotion of a Cyfoeth Cymru Gyfan – Sharing the landmark publication – the Tr easures at two levels. In the Council Encyclopaedia of Wales, the definitive of Museums in Wales pilots, a group of " Modernise guide to all things Welsh, to be partners will work on specific Governance published in the autumn of 2003. collaborative curatorial, educational and Several NMGW staff are contributing managerial projects, At the lower level, substantial sections of the content of all NMGW loans and displays will be " the publication. NMGW has also labelled as part of the scheme giving a Connect agreed to be the lead partner in the consistent identity and profile across Collections promotion of the book through the Wales. delivery of a pan-Wales educational events programme in the autumn • NMGW will work with Pembrokeshire of 2003. Coast National Park Authority to produce an outline plan for the delivery ‘A modern economy’ of the ‘Sutherland Centre’ for the arts and the environment. • NMGW will continue to draw inward investment into Wales, including the • In response to the outcome of the submission of a Stage 2 application for public Consultation on the Display of nearly £11m to the Heritage Lottery Art, NMGW will develop a strategic Fund for the National Waterfront plan for the presentation of the Museum in Swansea. A total of £1m NMGW art collection within a multi- from the HLF and £350,000 EU disciplinary environment that celebrates Objective One funding will support the diversity. redevelopment of the Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry. ‘Identity’ • NMGW will consolidate the increase in • NMGW will play a leading role in visitor numbers following the advent of delivering and developing the Welsh free entry and work with the Wales Assembly Government’s cultural Tourist Board and the Welsh strategy Creative Future: Cymru www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 19 ions
‘The Assembly Government recognises the crucial role of museums and galleries in establishing Wales as a knowledge-based economy. It is good to see that they are playing their part and enabling people to experience the latest technology. It is only when people are at ease with new technology that the Welsh economy will be fully able to exploit the benefits of ICT’
Andrew Davies, e-Minister and Assembly Government Minister for Economic Development
Creadigol. Through our membership of Council so that the public can view the Cymru’n Creu we will promote the Trustees at work. distinctive and creative cultural life of • NMGW will hold open general Wales. meetings to present its Annual Report • NMGW will conduct a feasibility study and other key policy documents for into the options of providing an public scrutiny, including face to face ‘NMGW will play a major overview of Welsh history at the questions and answers. Museum of Welsh Life in the form of role in the production and creating a Gallery of Welsh Histories. ‘Promoting ICT’ promotion of a landmark • NMGW will play a leading role on • NMGW will exploit the scope for publication – the behalf of Cymru’n Creu, working with inclusive learning about Wales’ natural Encyclopaedia of Wales, other members, to explore the and cultural life that is offered by feasibility of establishing a Welsh electronic and digital media by the definitive guide to all sporting museum. continuing to play a key role in the pan- things Welsh, to be Wales Gathering the Jewels project. ‘Modern Government’ published in the autumn • NMGW will further develop its website • NMGW will pursue changes to its to provide not only comprehensive of 2003’ system of governance in accordance up-to-date information for potential with the recommendations of the visitors but also to further develop Quinquennial Review. virtual museum facilities for the education sector and a range of other • NMGW will hold open meetings of its service users.
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NMGW Central Services Co-ordination and integration
Education Through Glanely, the Education Service As well as the 215,000 visitors that implemented a policy of continual attended NMGW sites in the form of reinforcement of environmental themes formal education groups, another and highlighted this with partnerships with 100,000 life-long learners used the Cardiff Waste Forum to promote Yellow services of the museums. This Pages recycling and with Keep Wales Tidy increasingly important audience was during a beachwatch theme. engaged through a programme of over Women’s History Month in October 200 events – ranging from lectures and 2001 saw excellent collaboration recitals to living history workshops and between a range of departments and sites performances. as well as partnership work with the In addition to particular examples to be Ethnic Minority Women’s Network to found in the ‘Working in Wales and deliver a well attended series of events beyond’ section of this Report, the that appealed to a range of ages and educational highlights of the year included cultures. an extremely busy year for the interactive Engaging with visitors – both physical and Glanely Gallery located in the National virtual – was supported by NMGW’s Museum & Gallery. presence at one of Wales’ leading national
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Jenny Randerson AM visits NMGW at the National Eisteddfod in Denbigh events. An ongoing partnership with included the South Wales Energy Centre Academi and Cywaith Cymru-Artworks and Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Wales facilitated a multi-strand presence together with support from Cardiff at the National Eisteddfod at Denbigh in University. Funding was received from north Wales. During the early summer COPUS, the UK partnership for Science pupils from Ysgol Llannefydd, Henllan, Communication, to run all of the events, Heulfre, Twm o’r Nant, Frongoch and and from the National Assembly through Bryn Clwyd were introduced to the British Association. archaeology and the Celts by means of The National Museum & Gallery held ‘An ongoing partnership school-based artefact handling sessions. workshops looking at the science of with Academi and Fired with this enthusiasm for their local textiles. The workshop on Textile Science Cywaith Cymru-Artworks heritage they were invited to participate was brought to life by examining the in archaeological excavation, artwork and origin of natural fabrics and dyes through Wales facilitated a poetry sessions at the Eisteddfod. The the use of the Biological collections. multi-strand presence spirit of this landscape became the This was further developed through creative force which fed sessions with a collaboration with the Museum of the at the National Eisteddfod team of Wales’ premier bards – Iwan Welsh Woollen Industry with a look at at Denbigh in north Wales’ Llwyd, Twm Morys, Myrddin ap Dafydd how science plays a part in creating and Meirion MacIntyre Huws. Elements fabrics from fleece. The workshops were of the artwork, poetry and archaeological fully booked, with over 300 pupils, from experiences were updated daily by the both primary and secondary schools, young participants on the Museum taking part. A display was made of the website. children’s work and exhibited at the National Museum & Gallery before being National Science Week focused on the returned to the participating schools. theme of ‘Science: from past to future’. Activities took place at The National The Museum of Welsh Life hosted Museum & Gallery, The Museum of activities focusing on energy use in the Welsh Life, Segontium Roman Museum past and the future, with support from and the Roman Legionary Museum, and the South Wales Energy Centre, for included support from the Museum of secondary school pupils, and Iron Smelting the Welsh Woollen Industry. Partnerships Experimentation for all age groups.
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NMGW Central Services Publications & Design Marketing The year saw a mixture of publications As with Education, NMGW centres its produced. Kaligat Paintings by Christine marketing activity on audience Mackay (Senior Conservation Officer, development – especially new audiences. Paper) was jointly published with This year provided the opportunity for Rolibooks of Delhi. Another joint the annual Visitor Surveys carried out by publication, The Miracle of Flight by the NMGW Marketing Department to photographer Stephen Dalton, was analyse the significance of the 87% published with Merrell Books to coincide increase in visits as a result of Free Entry: with the exhibition Flight. An exhibition • Whilst only 2% of respondents catalogue, edited by Dr Ann Sumner spontaneously cited free entry a reason (Curator, Fine Art) was produced in to visit, 62% of all visitors were aware English and Welsh editions to accompany of free entry prior to their visit. the exhibition John Brett: a Pre-Raphaelite on the shores of Wales. The Welsh and • Of those NMGW visitors based in English language guidebooks for the Wales, 80% said they were aware of Museum of Welsh Life were reprinted, free entry. This suggests that the ‘Free reflecting the huge increase in visitors for All’ marketing and press and PR there, and a new French language edition campaign was successful in that it both was produced. Big Pit's guidebook was raised awareness and attached value to also reprinted, and a large print format of that which is now free. the Roman Legionary Museum's • The percentage of visitors from social guidebook was produced, in line with classes C2, D and E rose from 31% in NMGW's policy of making our museums 1998 to 37% in 2001. This represents accessible to all. a modest discernible shift of six A report on the progress and absolute percentage points and an implementation of NMGW's Welsh increase of 19%. This establishes a Language Policy was submitted to the platform for NMGW to continue to Welsh Language Board, and warmly encourage new audiences in the light of commended. free entry. Design, both graphic and three- • The percentages of visitors who had dimensional, was provided for the year's undertaken previous visits have exhibition programme. In particular, the remained steady between 1998 and publicity poster for Images of the floating 2001. This would suggest that the world: Japanese woodblock prints increase in visits to NMGW sites since attracted attention, and won the Welsh April 2001 can be accounted for by a Language Board’s prize for bilingual proportionate increase in both first time design. The boat-house at the Museum visits and repeat visits. of Welsh Life was completely refurbished, • Although three out of ten people said it including new interpretation panels. was their first time visit to National The operation of NMGW's website was Museum & Gallery and the Museum of transformed by the introduction of new, Welsh Life in both 1998 and 2001, the state-of-the-art software, and the design absolute numbers of first time visitors of the site evolved, becoming easier to has risen in line with the increase in use. Access was also enhanced by the total visits. introduction of databases and the use of • There has been an encouraging sound and video. The use of interactive modest change in the age profile of touch screens within exhibitions is visitors in favour of young people. increasing, and this aspect of interpretation was provided in temporary • Finally, free entry does not seem to exhibitions and is now permanently have had any significant impact on available in some galleries. February saw visitors’ ability to enjoy their the launch of a brand new intranet, experience. allowing staff to benefit from ICT to The initial findings suggest that the communicate and share information. decision to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary in the marketing response www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 23
National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff to free entry has been wise. In terms of Big Pit and the Museum of the Welsh tone, style and design we must not Woollen Industry. alienate an existing core audience – yet • implemented the rollout to sixty we must appeal to new visitors and Department users of its new online encourage repeat visits. financial system, CFACs The introduction of free admission • led the development risk management offered an opportunity to produce new controls in line with Turnbull promotional print for both existing recommendations audiences and new visitors in the form of What’s On – a quarterly publication • supported a rolling programme of VFM designed to be accessible to new visitors efficiency reviews (which included and to encourage repeat visits from Buildings and Estates, Personnel, existing audiences in the south Wales Finance and Development) catchment areas. A similar publication for NMGW’s financial resources were the north Wales museums is envisaged. deployed as follows: • Collections Care and Research 26.4% Finance and • Permanent Display, Education and Human Resources Exhibition 15% The NMGW Accounts 2001-2002 are • Support Expenditure 46.5% (including detailed separately in the Financial Report. Warding, Security, cleaning, IT Services, In a successful period, the total income Technical Services and allocated generated by the Museum (excluding overheads based on staff numbers) Welsh Assembly Government Grants) increased from £2,395,000 to • Fundraising & Marketing 5.7% £4,689,000, due primarily to major • Management & Administration 6.4% donations and bequests in the year, and the increase of secondary income A review of Pay and Grading for NMGW generation following free access. New staff produced a blue print for a three developments were central to the year package based on a consistent Finance Department’s support of simplified system and equality of pay Museum activity. To this end the across the whole organisation. Department: A programme of Senior Management • supported business planning for major Training based on ‘360 degree Appraisal’ capital projects, with particular regard was implemented during the year and to National Waterfront Museum Ltd, proved to be a challenging but highly valuable exercise.
www.nmgw.ac.uk 24 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
NMGW Central Services
‘Big Pit became part of the Commercial Information & NMGW operates a number of retail Communication NMGW IT network in the outlets, commercial franchises and summer and in late autumn corporate hire services at its sites. Technology ICT development has concentrated on the Roman Legionary During the year, the net profit of NMGW consolidation and extension of the Museum became one of shops increased by 534% and a large existing systems and network. In contrast the first places in the proportion of the increase can be to 2000-2001, all NMGW office staff attributed to the increase in spending by now have routine access to a wide range country to be equipped visitors following the dramatic rise in the of services including e-mail and the with a new telephone number of visits. With the exception of internet. the Museum of the Welsh Woollen system that uses the data Industry, which closed for re- Big Pit became part of the NMGW IT network to transmit both development towards the end of the network in the summer and in late year, all of the sites showed an increase in autumn the Roman Legionary Museum voice and data’ net profit. The most significant increases became one of the first places in the were recorded at the Museum of Welsh country to be equipped with a new Life (£178,501 net profit) and Big Pit telephone system that uses the data (£67,762 net profit). network to transmit both voice and data.
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 25
Connections between the Payroll and the Gathering the Jewels and ENDEX Finance systems were established in late (Extended National Database for Wales) autumn enabling salary data to be projects. As a partner in Gathering the transferred directly to the finance system. Jewels Limited, the Museum has been a Security was increased considerably to driving force for this pan-Wales project. protect users from the threats of Its aims are to digitise and make available malicious programs being downloaded via the internet up to 25,000 from the world wide web or via e-mail. objects/specimens, audio/sound, and moving images from archives, libraries, museums and galleries from across Wales. Library The ENDEX is based on a partnership of Since 1999, the NMGW Library Welsh heritage bodies, who have created catalogue has been fully automated, with a national index of archaeological and all new material being entered on the architectural information. The information ‘During this year 110,887 Library Management System (LMS). encompasses NMGW’s site database, the Considerable inroads have been made in Sites and Monuments Records held by new inventory records retrospective cataloguing (special each of the four Archaeological Trusts, were created and, collections, museology etc.), so that some and Cadw’s scheduled monument and 33,000 books are now on LMS, out of a listed building database. It is hoped that to date, 1,221,783 stock of some 150,000 monographs. the NMGW’s database of finds will be objects/specimens have Access to the catalogue is currently only incorporated soon, to produce a obtained approved comprehensive and integrated possible via the Main Library, but in inventory status’ adopting LMS it has always been planned information system. to extend access to all staff, and possibly Over this year, the Documentation Unit later to all via the internet. With this in and the Department of Archaeology & mind, the Museum has purchased Numismatics have exported over internet server software in order to 120,000 records for incorporation into deliver online access to the library this project. database.
Conservation, Documentation and Photography Conservation is central to maintaining the integrity of NMGW’s collections. Highlights of the year included the establishment of a purpose-designed Archive Conservation Laboratory and a comprehensive Review of Conservation. The Documentation Unit continues to Throughout 2001–2002, the provide the Museum with a professional Photographic Unit saw extensive changes service relating to the computerisation of in the use of modern technology. This has the Museum’s collections. During this been driven by the underlying duty of the year 110,887 new inventory records Unit to satisfy the photographic and were created and, to date, 1,221,783 imaging demands of the institution as well objects/specimens have obtained as external clients. Over 10,000 new approved inventory status. 2001–2002 photographs were taken, and despite a was a landmark year for Documentation small reduction in the number of actual with the completion of the inventory jobs recorded this demonstrated a project for three-dimensional objects at considerable increase over the previous the Museum of Welsh Life. two-year period. The Unit has also been active in a number of external partnerships, notably
www.nmgw.ac.uk 26 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond NMGW’s diversity of sites, activities and research
National Museum The National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff, conservation of a Jurassic sea reptile to is unique amongst national museums in displays of flying birds of prey; from debates & Gallery the UK in its range of arts and science about Welsh art and its place in the world displays. It houses the National Art to discussions about how archaeologists Visits in 2001-2002: 353,924 Gallery alongside other curatorial represent Wales’ past. The year’s Visits in 2000-2001: 226,876 departments that are internationally exhibition programme was dominated by renowned for their work in the spheres Flight – the story of how birds, beasts and Increase: 56% of Archaeology & Numismatics, Geology humans have taken to the air. This exhibition and Biodiversity & Systematic Biology. was generously supported by GE Aircraft National Museum & Gallery, Engine Services, Inc. Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP In contrast with some other NMGW sites, the initial impact of free entry was This year saw the National Museum & Tel: (029) 2039 7951 not startling. During the year, however, Gallery taking an ever closer part in the Open Tues-Sun and the cumulative impact was to transform cultural life of Cardiff, Wales and beyond Bank Holiday Mondays 10am-5pm the atmosphere of the building. Whilst through collaboration with others. school holidays are now thronged with Examples range from working with families, and weekdays busy with groups Techniquest on the ‘Science in the City’ from formal and lifelong educational festival; the Open University; UWIC settings, take-up of free events is Centre for Lifelong Learning; the Royal dramatically increased. The most telling Welsh College of Music & Drama on moments are on quiet days when there is Sunday Coffee Concerts, and hosting now always a steady flow of visitors innovative events associated with enjoying the host of opportunities the National Archaeology Weekend, National collections and activities represent. Science Week, Local History Week, Over eighty public events were mounted Museums & Galleries Month and over the year, from talks on the European Heritage Days.
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 27
56% increase in visitor figures for National Museum & Gallery
‘The National Museums & Galleries of Wales is one of our premier heritage organisations. NMGW has the potential to make a significant contribution to many of the National Assembly’s policies’
Jenny Randerson, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language 28 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
National Museum Art & Gallery Although the Art Department has a fine of NMGW and the National Library’s collection of late 18th century ‘golden touring memorial exhibition of Will age’ watercolours of Wales, including Roberts, to Cambria’s Curse: Images of the several by J. M. W. Turner, it had lacked a Welsh Bard (1750-1850) and John Brett: major view of Snowdonia. In 2001 it A Pre-Raphaelite on the Shores of Wales. acquired Near Beddgelert by Turner’s Both John Brett and Cambria’s Curse short-lived contemporary Thomas Girtin benefited from cross-disciplinary (1775-1802), following the temporary collaboration with Art department staff by deferral of an export license, and the Geology, Archaeology & purchased with the assistance of the Numismatics, and Industry departments. ‘Exhibitions from NMGW’s National Art Collections Fund. This large There is currently only one gallery exhibition watercolour was painted art collection were also designated for the display of art after following Girtin’s visit to north Wales in seen outside Cardiff. 1960. In 2001 this room, Gallery 16, was 1798, and attracted favourable attention renovated for a programme of changing Sisters Select: Works on when shown at the Royal Academy the thematic displays from the collection. Paper from the following year. Exhibitions from NMGW’s art collection Early in 2002, Thomas Gainsborough’s Davies Collection were also seen outside Cardiff. Sisters Rocky Wooded Landscape with Rustic Select: Works on Paper from the Davies travelled to Aberystwyth, Lovers, Herdsman and Cows was accepted Collection travelled to Aberystwyth, Conwy and Bath’ in lieu of tax by the UK Government and Conwy and Bath, while a selection of our allocated to NMGW in memory of the unrivalled holdings of drawings by Gwen newspaper proprietor William Berry, 1st John were shown at Tenby Museum and Viscount Camrose, and his brothers, who Art Gallery, and at Harewood House, were bon in Merthyr Tydfil. This beautiful North Yorkshire. Photographs by Philip work of the 1770s is probably the most Jones Griffiths were shown at the important acquisition for a decade. National Eisteddfod and drawings by A total of eight exhibitions ran in the Art Curnow Vosper in Brittany and in in Wales and the Prints and Drawings Merthyr Tydfil. Loans were also made to galleries, ranging from the Drawings by exhibitions elsewhere in Britain, Europe Augustus & Gwen John from the Collections and the United States.
Near Beddgelert, Thomas Girtin (1755-1802).
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 29
Rocky Wooded Landscape with Rustic Lovers, Herdsmen and Cows, Thomas Gainsborough.
www.nmgw.ac.uk 30 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
National Museum Archaeology & & Gallery Numismatics The last of eight seasons of excavation was undertaken at the Viking Age settlement at Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey. This completed the excavation of an early medieval spring, and another early medieval burial was discovered within the enclosure. The popular Digging for Vikings website was updated and virtual visitors could, once again, find out about discoveries as they happened at the Llanbedrgoch excavation. The excavations at Llanbedrgoch featured ‘The excavations at in the BBC2 series Blood of the Vikings Llanbedrgoch featured in presented by Julian Richards. The skulls from the five bodies found at the site the BBC2 series Blood of were delivered to the Unit of Art and the Vikings presented by Medicine, University of Manchester, for facial reconstruction in preparation for Julian Richards’ display in the exhibition Re-creations: visualizing the past. A fundamental role of the Department is raising the standards of stewardship of the collections. This work of curation and documentation underpins many other museum activities. The Department has a five-year programme to document to inventory level and improve the packaging of priority collections. There are now 118,500 records on the Computerised Management System. Achievements this year include: • the completion of a six-year project to repackage and document the Neolithic/Bronze Age general boxed collections • all copper alloy objects from the Llyn Cerrig Bach deposit from Anglesey encourages the reporting of have been repackaged and archaeological finds made by members of documented the public, has continued to be very • all Roman small finds have now been successful – despite the influence of foot documented to catalogue level and mouth – and several notable discoveries have been recorded. It • all Roman coins and hoards from sites provides a mechanism by which in Wales have been documented. members of the public have the The Portable Antiquities Scheme – opportunity to participate in the ‘Finding Our Past’ – was extended with archaeological process and thereby make continued support from the Heritage a contribution to both archaeological Lottery Fund and the Welsh Assembly knowledge and the protection of the Government. The Scheme, which historic environment. www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 31
Pic supplied to be scanned
As a result of several initiatives by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Excavation at Llanbedrgoch: washing and Department, state-of-the-art technology Historical Monuments of Wales, Cadw, processing finds. can now be used by visitors to unearth and the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts. the treasures of Wales’ past. An IT The sharing of information on the database that enables visitors to search database allows all partners to view more any area in Wales for archaeological comprehensive data. Over 300,000 artefacts has been developed with specific objects dating from 250,000 years ago to additional funding provided by the Welsh the Industrial Revolution can now be Assembly Government. traced back by visitors to the exact areas where they were found. The project has also led to the development of partnerships with the
www.nmgw.ac.uk 32 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
National Museum Geology & Gallery The opportunity to establish a number of short-term curatorial assistant contract posts allowed the Department to begin to audit, document and re-store significant parts of the backlog collections. Particularly important was the work on borehole cores, the coal collection, large mineral specimens, Palaeozoic fossils, and offprint publications. Detailed Curatorial Procedure documents were completed ‘Major acquisitions for the full range of such activities. The Geology Teaching Collection was included a magnificent rationalised and upgraded, including the collection of Late Triassic incorporation of new material from (Rhaetian) vertebrates Cardiff University; this now provides an improved teaching resource for both from Aust and Westbury, curatorial and Education Department staff. Jurassic ammonites from The new Archive Store was finally occupied, following long-running Somerset, and a large problems with environmental control. collection of fossils from The much consulted antiquarian maps the former Department of and other papers are now re-housed under suitable conditions. Geology at Aberystwyth Major acquisitions included a magnificent University’ collection of Late Triassic (Rhaetian) vertebrates from Aust and Westbury, Jurassic ammonites from Somerset, and a large collection of fossils from the former Department of Geology at Aberystwyth University, including type and figured material. Apart from many activities within the UK, staff undertook fieldwork, research or made presentations at conferences in France, the Czech Republic, China, Canada, USA, France, Germany and Denmark. Overseas visitors coming to consult collections or to work with staff were from Uzbekistan, Iran, Czech Republic, Russia, China, Argentina and Ireland. These international relationships continue to emphasise the wide ranging remit of the Department.
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 33
In its earliest geological history, Wales formed part of a supercontinent named Gondwana, deep in the polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere. A major project in the Geology Department employs fossils from various areas of Gondwana to track the early movements of Wales (shown in red on the maps). The map on the left is of earth about 480 million years ago; the map on the right is of about 455 million years ago, when Wales’ part of the earth’s crust had drifted northwards away from Gondwana (marked G on the maps), eventually colliding with Scandinavia and North America.
Opposing valves of the primitive brachiopod Trematosia (a shallow marine seashell), which is about 510 million years old. Fossils like this provide crucial information in plotting the margins of ancient continental masses like Gondwana.
www.nmgw.ac.uk 34 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
National Museum Biodiversity & & Gallery Systematic Biology Commonly known as ‘Bio-Syb’, the Department continues to explore Marine Biodiversity, discovering species new to science and constructing the first map of the seabed of the Irish Sea. The Melvill-Tomlin Collection of sea shells has now been fully documented. This is a major milestone after twenty-two years of effort, involving the databasing of ‘The Melvill-Tomlin 750,000 shells. The data is now available Collection of sea shells for access on NMGW’s website. Through the department, the Museum has now been fully makes major contributions to documented. This is a international Biodiversity Agendas in major milestone after capacity building projects in East Africa, Galapagos, Rodrigues, Canada and twenty-two years of effort’ Bulgaria, in training to support the conservation of threatened habitats and species. In addition, BioSyB continues to forge links with Welsh partners, working with: • Countryside Council for Wales Sandbanks and Merionnydd Oakwoods projects • local authorities on hedgerow and pond surveys and the establishment of local record centres • the National Botanic Garden of Wales in the surveying of rare and endangered Welsh flora • the Wales Biodiversity Group to promote public awareness and understanding of biodiversity and sustainability issues.
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 35
One of Tomlin’s type specimins from the Melvill-Tomlin Collection.
Staff from NMGW, CCW and University of Wales, Bangor working on the deck of the RV Prince Madog.
www.nmgw.ac.uk 36 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
Museum of One of Europe’s leading open-air opened on 24 April 2001 by the museums, the Museum of Welsh Life is Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Life part of the group of four Social and Welsh Language, Jenny Randerson AM. Industrial History Museums run by It won the Guardian’s National Visits in 2001-2002: 694,899 NMGW and is home to the largest Homebuilder Design Award for ‘Best Visits in 2000-2001: 321,810 curatorial department, Social & Cultural House of the Future’ History. From the re-creation of an • the hugely popular 1950 B2 prefab Increase: 116% ancient Celtic village to the erection of a from Gabalfa, Cardiff, opened by the brand new House for the Future, visitors Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Russell Goodway. Museum of Welsh Life, can explore and enjoy over 2,000 years St Fagans, Cardiff CF5 6XB of history in over forty re-erected period Public interest in these two new buildings Tel: (029) 2057 3500 buildings that have been collected from all helped boost the dramatic rise in visitor over Wales. numbers as a result of the advent of free Open daily 10am-5pm entry. For 271 days of the year, the visitor This was a momentous year for the numbers were over 2,000 a day, and Museum in many ways, including the actually reached over double that figure opening of two new buildings (the first to on sixty-five of those days. 103,000 of be opened on the site for six years), the visitors were from educational namely: John Williams-Davies, Director of the groups. It is a huge tribute to the front-of- Museum of Welsh Life, receives the WTB's • the high profile House for the Future, house staff and education staff that they ‘Wow Factor’ award, given to MWL for being integrating vernacular tradition with coped so effectively with such immense the best visitor attraction in Wales. sustainable technology, which was numbers.
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 37
‘NMGW provides an impressive array of achievements at a reasonable cost. At the same time, its arm’s-length relationship with the Assembly gives it the degree of independence necessary to its role in the long-term sustainable stewardship of the treasures vested in its trust’
The Final Report of the Quinquennial Review of NMGW, School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham 116 % increase in visitor figures for Museum of Welsh Life 38 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
The House for the Future at MWL. The well-established annual May Fair introduction of free admission. This did event drew 32,524 visits (19,000 on the not deter visitors – the site was filled to Bank Holiday Monday). The Harvest capacity within an hour of opening, the Festival, on the theme of traditional food numbers reaching over 4,700 for the and farming, drew over 5,000 visitors. evening in its entirety. The Cardiff Matsuri – a festival celebrating The ever-popular Christmas Fair was links between Wales and Japan – was another equally successful charging event, held at the Museum of Welsh Life in June attracting over 12,000 visitors over three 2001, involving 380 local primary school nights. It is no wonder that the Museum pupils and activities that attracted nearly won the ‘Wow Factor’ Award at the 12,500 visits over three days. 2001 Wales Tourism Awards ceremony, for being the best visitor attraction in Halloween, an evening event, was the Wales. first to charge an admission fee since the
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 39
The appeal of the Museum as a visitor but completion was delayed pending attraction is underpinned by ongoing emergency repairs to the Castle roof. curatorial work such as the re-erection of In addition, Taff’s Well Police Station was the Llandeilo Tal-y-bont Church. dismantled and brought to the Museum The masonry work of this exciting major to await re-erection and excellent project, including reinstatement of missing progress was made with the start of a period windows, is near completion, and systematic programme for conserving the the structural timbers of the North historical buildings on the site. Five buildings Transept roof were restored and rebuilt. were completely re-thatched and Work also continued on the restoration extensive repairs carried out on another of St Fagans Castle, including the two roofs. previously derelict Italian Garden. The work of refurbishing and reinterpreting the Castle Kitchen was also far advanced, The Matsuri Festival took place at MWL in June.
www.nmgw.ac.uk 40 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
Welsh Slate The story of slate unfolds for visitors experiencing their personal selection of through watching skilled craftsmen as they highlights. The Quarrymen’s Houses, the Museum deftly split and dress the slate by hand, waterwheel, ‘To Steal a Mountain’ and viewing the largest working waterwheel the craftsman-presented displays of slate Visits in 2001-2002: 144,408 on mainland Britain. The Museum also splitting and trimming are amongst the Visits in 2000-2001: 53,890 offers a unique glimpse into the lives of most popular. The latter has now been the quarrymen and their families at Nos relocated to a larger exhibition area, Increase: 168% 1-4 Fron Haul – a terrace of cottages providing visitors with comfortable tiered which have been moved to the Museum seating and an unimpeded view, while Welsh Slate Museum, from their original site in Tanygrisiau and members of staff work within what is, Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, furnished in three different historical effectively, a well-lit theatre. Gwynedd LL55 4TY periods. Staff also became increasingly aware of Tel: (01286) 870630 By any standards, 2001-2002 was a truly the need to supplement the Open Easter-October daily 10am-5pm, remarkable year at the Welsh Slate interpretation of the site in imaginative November-Easter Sunday-Friday Museum. Following the introduction of ways such as through the provision of an 10am-4pm, closed Saturday free entry it soon became clear that interactive DVD presentation on old and visitors were spending money saved on modern slate working techniques, as well admission at neighbouring attractions, as a computer animation of the geological thereby spreading our benefit to the process leading to the formation of slate. advantage of the Llanberis tourism Last, but by no means least, the Welsh destination as a whole. Slate Museum’s remarkable year was By the end of March 2002, the Welsh crowned by the honour of receiving, at Slate Museum had recorded the highest the Wales Tourist Board’s annual awards percentage year-on-year change ceremony, the ‘Sense of Place’ Award for recorded at any of NMGW’s sites. 2001 for being the best visitor attraction in Wales at creating a distinctly Welsh Equally as satisfying, many of the new ambience. visitors are local people enjoying and
Above: The traditional craft of slate-splitting and trimming is displayed in the new demonstation area.
Right: Dafydd Roberts, Keeper of the Welsh Slate Museum, receives the WTB’s ‘Sense of Place’ award, given to WSM for being the best visitor attraction in Wales at creating a distinctly Welsh ambience. www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 41
‘Spreading the national museum across the country encourages people in most regions to view and appreciate aspects of their heritage … It enables the totality of Welsh heritage to be more accurately represented. For example, the Welsh Slate Museum in Llanberis gives a much better idea of how the industry used to work than a few pieces of slate and machinery in a building in Cardiff ever could’
‘Ten good reasons to feel proud of Wales’ – Western Mail 16 8 % increase in visitor figures for Welsh Slate Museum 42 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
Big Pit: The National Set in the heart of the World Heritage from Wales; now Welsh school children Site at Blaenafon, Big Pit offers an top the rankings. Mining Museum experience unparalleled in Britain and The popularity of Big Pit is testament to unique to Wales. Guided by ex-miners, the fact that the staff have continued to visitors descend 300 feet to the very Visits in 2001-2002: 130,037 maintain a superb service to the public depths of the mine and experience the Visits in 2000-2001: 73,914 throughout the course of such a turbulent total darkness that the miners worked in year. Increase: 74% day after day. Surface features and facilities include colliery buildings, pithead baths, Big Pit has recently been awarded two Big Pit: The National Mining Museum, blacksmith’s workshop, winding engine awards by the Good Britain Guide 2002: Blaenafon, Torfaen NP4 9XP house and a café. ‘Tour of the Year’ and ‘Welsh Family Attraction of the Year’. Tel: (01495) 790311 The year was one of great change for Big 13 February-30 November open Pit and its staff. Until February 2001 Big The award of ‘Tour of the Year’ daily 9.30-5pm Pit had operated as an independent celebrates the authenticity of the Big Pit Charitable Trust and Limited Company. experience. Every visitor who takes the During 2001-2002, it had to adapt to underground tour will encounter a real being a national museum within a national coalmine and real miners. The guides are institution that is also an Assembly happy to share their own insights into this Sponsored Public Body. This unique industry with visitors and each transformation coincided with the one provides the public with a slightly outbreak of the Foot & Mouth crisis, the different experience during their tour. re-introduction of the Free Entry policy Big Pit is happy to accommodate all for national museums and the start of a manner of different groups, from schools £7m capital redevelopment. to women’s guilds, from university groups In the past, those visiting from both to family days out. This versatility has England and France exceeded the contributed to Big Pit being considered numbers of school children visiting Big Pit ‘Welsh Family Attraction of the Year’.
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 43 74% increase in visitor figures for Big Pit: The National Mining Museum 44 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
Museum of the Located in the heart of the west Wales imaginative ways in the very mill and countryside the Museum of the Welsh village that was the centre of the industry Welsh Woollen Woollen Industry tells the story of the and which is now a heritage site of forty mills once clustered around Dre- enormous significance. Industry fach Felindre. Cambrian Mills – the only The total cost of the redevelopment will mill in the village, which has remained in be £1.7m. In addition to the HLF grant of Visits in 2001-2002: 12,576 continuous operation since it was built – £986,500, NMGW is contributing now houses the Museum. Centuries-old Visits in 2000-2001: 9,036 £300,000 to the costs. A further techniques, forgotten skills and traditional Increase: 39% £350,000 grant is being sought from ways of life sit alongside a thriving, European Union Objective 1 funding and working woollen mill, still producing for Museum of the £50,000 is being raised from individual the modern market. Welsh Woollen Industry, trusts and sponsorship through dedicated Dre-fach Felindre, Llandysul, During the year, NMGW was awarded fundraising activity. Carmarthenshire SA44 5UP nearly £1m from the Heritage Lottery The programme will include the repair of Fund to help re-develop the site as a Tel: (01559) 370929 the listed mill buildings and the provision flagship museum for west Wales. As a of improved visitor facilities, dedicated Closed for redevelopment until result, the Museum was closed to visitors educational facilities and modern spring 2003 on March 1 with the aim of re-opening in interpretation of the collections. spring 2003. The woollen industry played a central A hundred years ago spinning and role in the development of this area of weaving was one of Wales’ most rural Wales and NMGW is very much important industries and the mill was the looking forward to retelling the story in a hub of an industrial enclave in the Teifi way that will inspire people to visit the Valley, alongside fifty other woollen mills beautiful and fascinating Teifi Valley. and weaving sheds. The area became known as ‘The Huddersfield of Wales’. The mill is still in commercial production ‘It is NMGW’s intention to today. It is NMGW’s intention to present present the story of the the story of the wool industry in wool industry in imaginative ways in the very mill and village that was the centre of the industry’
MWWI closed on March 1st for extensive redevelopment. It will re-open spring 2003. www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 45 39% increase in visitor figures for Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry 46 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
Roman Legionary During the year over 27,000 students taste of Roman life at the baths. The experienced the educational programme children are then given a number of tasks Museum at Caerleon, reflecting both the quality of to complete which will help them to decide the Roman remains available and the what the family will do during their visit. continually evolving range of facilities, Visits in 2001-2002: 70,160 The resource is in the form of a activities and resources on offer. Visits in 2000-2001: 58,997 structured Microsoft PowerPoint Highlights for the year included the presentation that allows the children to Increase: 19% addition of a stone sarcophagus in the navigate through the tasks. It also links to main gallery and the launch of an exciting an exclusive multimedia resource bank Roman Legionary Museum, resource for schools. High Street, Caerleon NP18 1AE provided by NMGW and CADW. The One of the main projects during the resource includes drawings, photos, Tel: (01633) 423134 academic year was to develop outreach video, virtual reality scenes and interactive Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, resources for the Roman Legionary Baths. drag and drop activities. These are designed to assist school Sunday 2-5pm During the late spring of 2002 a new children in their understanding of the exhibit was installed in the gallery. This archaeological remains. Newport LEA Roman Bath stone sarcophagus was worked with NMGW and CADW with the discovered locally in 1995 at a site near aim of developing exciting resources to support to the University of Wales College Segontium Roman a visit to the baths and the use of artefacts. Newport Caerleon Campus. Museum The multimedia resource that was produced Over the past year the sarcophagus has is available on the internet and is called been conserved and reconstructed and is ‘The Caerleon Web Challenge’. It is Visits in 2001-2002: 12,565 now a stunning new attraction to the aimed at Year 3 children who study the Visits in 2000-2001: 8,810 gallery. The display has been paid for by Romans as part of their history public donations to the NMGW and is Increase: 43% curriculum. The children are asked to the first exhibit to be funded in this way. imagine that their father is the Soon, the display will include some of the Segontium Roman Museum, Commanding Officer of the fortress at artefacts discovered in association with Beddgelert Road, Caernarfon, Isca and that he has ordered them to the sarcophagus, most notably the skull of Gwynedd, LL55 2LN look after the family of a British Chieftain a circa 40 year old male and a beautifully who will visit the fortress in a few weeks Tel: (01286) 675625 turned shale bowl. time. The children must give the family a Open 1 November-March Monday- Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 2-4pm; 1 April-October Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm
The stone sarcophagus, being installed at RLM.
Segontium is NMGW’s smallest museum One of the highlights of the year was a and is located at the remains of one of collaborative display project with Ysgol yr ancient Britain’s most famous Roman Hendre, Caernarfon. Pupils worked with forts. Despite its comparatively modest local artist Catrin Williams to create three visitor figures, the museum engages with collage panels based the history and its host community in imaginative ways. archaeology of the Segontium site. www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 47 19% increase in visitor figures for Roman Legionary Museum
43% increase in visitor figures for Segontium Roman Museum 48 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
Working in Wales and beyond
Turner House NMGW’s only stand-alone art facility, the Turner House Gallery, Penarth, is a Gallery temporary exhibition venue, managed by the Department of Art. The first half of Visits in 2001-2002: 11,706 the year saw two further changing displays Visits in 2000-2001: 10,554 of work from the Graham Sutherland collection. The second of these, ‘Genius Increase: 11% Loci’, provided an opportunity for staff from Art, Archaeology & Numismatics, Turner House Gallery, Geology, and Biodiversity & Systematic Plymouth Road, Penarth CF64 3DM Biology to test a multi-disciplinary Tel: (029) 2070 8870 interpretation of Sutherland’s work which will inform planning for the future Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, and Bank Sutherland Centre in St Davids. Graham Sutherland, Road to Porthglais with Holiday Mondays Setting Sun (by kind permission of the Graham (opening times apply only during This was followed by the popular annual Sutherland Estate) exhibition showings) exhibition of the South Wales Art Society, the region’s leading amateur-artists’ members of the Watercolour Society group, and an inspiring show of work by of Wales.
NMGW Collections The Department of Industry currently A total of 695 research visitors made use operates Nantgarw in the south Wales of the Collection Centre’s facilities, and an Centre valleys, servicing the curatorial, Open Weekend was staged at the conservation and research requirements Collections Centre to coincide with NMGW Collections Centre, of the Industry Collections both at the European Heritage Events in September Heol Crochendy, Parc Nantgarw, Collections Centre and at NMGW’s 2001. social and industrial history museums. Trefforest CF15 7QT The department’s staff have been deeply Tel: (029) 20573560 Workshops to deal with the conservation involved in the development of the of small industrial artefacts and works on proposed new industrial and maritime Visits welcome by appointment, open paper have been established within the museum in Swansea as well the Heritage Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.00pm Collections Centre and plans have been Lottery Fund supported redevelopment drawn up for the provision of engineering of Big Pit and the Museum of the Welsh and woodworking facilities. Woollen Industry.
www.nmgw.ac.uk NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 49 11% increase in visitor figures for Turner House Gallery 50 NMGW ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002
NMGW Court of Governors, Council and Management Board Court of Governors Dr W. B. Willott CB Countryside Council for Wales: Dr E. Wyn Lewis P. L oveluck President C. Rowlands Council for British Archaeology: Mathew Prichard CBE, DL, BA H. Mansfield (from October 2001) F. L. Llewelyn The Federation of Museums and Vice President Representatives of Local Authorities Galleries in Wales: Roger G. Thomas OBE, LLB, CCMI Councillor J. G. Jenkins Vacant Councillor R. W. Hughes Treasurer Councillor P. G. Larsen G. Wyn Howells ACIB Councillor P. M. Thomas Members of the Council not Dr C. Grace otherwise Members of the Court Councillor R. Francis Davies Council Mrs A. Carey-Evans Councillor D. Rogers President J. W. Evans CBE, MA Councillor J. A. H. Harries Mathew Prichard CBE, DL, BA Prof. C. L. Jones OBE, FRSA Councillor R. Cass M. A. J. Salter Councillor R. H. Poole Vice President Councillor J. Huish Roger G. Thomas OBE, LLB, CCMI Appointed by the Lord President Councillor D. I. Bowen of the Privy Council and the Treasurer Welsh Assembly Government Organisations in Wales G. Wyn Howells ACIB Dr S. J. Davies BA (to February 2002) Cambrian Archaeological Association: Appointed by the Dr P. T. Warren CBE, MA K. Mascetti Secretary of State for Wales The Council of the Royal National Linda D. Quinn Dr Susan J. Davies BA (to February 2002) Eisteddfod: C. Malcolm Parry Mrs Eirlys Pritchard Jones BA G. E Humphreys Eirlys Pritchard Jones BA Dr Nancy M Edwards BA, FSA The National Museum of Wales Society: Dr Nancy M. Edwards BA, FSA Dr P. T. Warren CBE, MA H. Looker The National Library of Wales The Council of Museums in Wales: Elected by the Court of Governors Vacant Councillor R. Francis Davies D. Bowen Lewis The University of Wales Wales TUC Cymru: Dr W. B Willott CB Mair Waldo Thomas Vacant Dr E. Wyn Lewis Professor J. King The Welsh Council of the CBI: Elected by the Council Vacant Welsh Joint Education Committee Mrs A. Carey-Evans The National Trust: Councillor D. Parry Jones (to June 2001) J. W. Evans CBE, MA M. A. McLaggan Prof. C. L. Jones OBE, FRSA Members of Parliament for Wales The Arts Council of Wales: M. A. J. Salter W. Griffiths S. Crouch Wales Tourist Board: Appointed by the Court J. Jones H. Jones (to October 2001) The Welsh Wildlife Trusts Ltd: D. Bowen Lewis Vacant NMGW’s Management Board Director of NMGW Anna Southall Deputy Director of NMGW, and Director of Collections & Education Eurwyn Wiliam Director of the National Museum & Gallery, and Director of Arts and Sciences Mike Tooby Director of the Museum of Welsh Life, and Director of Social & Industrial History John Williams-Davies Director of Resource Planning NMGW Council. Top (l-r): Dafydd Bowen, Brian Willott, Mark Salter, Colin Jones, Nancy Edwards, Mark Richards Peter Warren. Bottom (l-r): Eleri Wyn Lewis, Roger Thomas (Vice President), Mathew Prichard (President), Susan Davies (Vice President-elect), Paul Loveluck (President-elect), Wyn Howells (Treasurer), Director of Strategic Communication Eirlys Pritchard Jones. Not pictured: Annwen Carey-Evans, Wynford Evans. Robin Gwyn www.nmgw.ac.uk