Service Standards - Museum
Service
Role of Section
Bewdley
Museum is a popular tourist attraction set in
18th Century surroundings and provides a fascinating
insight into the growth and trades of the town and the lives of its
people. Explore the old Butcher’s Shambles, Brass Foundry, Saw Yard
and Town Jails. Go underground in the World War II Air Raid
Shelter. Learn about the rich history of the town and the Wyre
Forest area through imaginative and interactive displays, workshops
and special events. Traditional crafts are brought to life through
daily demonstrations of ropes, clay pipes, basket weaving and brick
making. The service promotes intellectual and cultural access to
the Museum and its collections. The service offers an interesting
and exciting education programme which includes a wide range of
curricular based activities and resources for schools, the majority
of which can be adapted for Special Needs and Gifted and Talented
groups.
The section maximises opportunities by
accessing external funding, partnership working, regeneration and
working closely with the Friends of Bewdley Museum. The Museum
holds full Museums, Libraries and Archives (MLA) Accreditation.
The Museum is open daily to visitors
between April and October and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in
November and December.
Admission is FREE
Service Objectives:
Management and
Development:
- To achieve a sound management and financial
base to enable growth and development
- To maximise opportunities for external
funding and regeneration
- To preserve and develop the fabric of the
Museum buildings as a central and heritage focus for the local
community and Wyre Forest district and beyond.
- To maintain free admission and provide a
quality visitor experience
- To work closely with the Friends of Bewdley
Museum and support the voluntary sector.
- A commitment to consultation with users to
ensure that future developments and changes take account of their
needs and interests.
- We welcome suggestions and feedback. Please
send any comments to bewdley.museum@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
- To work in partnership with local
organisations and groups to develop and achieve projects.
Collections Management and
Exhibitions:
- Hold full MLA Accreditation and maintain
nationally agreed standards for the documentation and care of the
collection.
- We conserve and collect materials relating to the social and
industrial history of the Wyre Forest area.
- An assurance that collections, including donated items are held
in trust for society.
- A programme of in house temporary exhibitions in the Wyre
Forest Gallery and Severn Gallery exhibiting items from the
collection.
- Local history enquiries by appointment (Wednesdays)
bewdleyhistory@btinternet.com.
Craft Studios, Workshops and
Courses:
- Facilitate our Residence Craftspeople working
in their studios, creating unique hand crafted items, reviving and
sustaining traditional crafts, as well as fostering contemporary
creative industries.
- A wide range of workshops and activities for all ages.
Quick taster sessions, one day courses available and longer
- Daily demonstration programme of local crafts.
- Summer Programme of events and activities for children.
Special Events Programme:
- A programme of special events, linking with
the local calendar and regional and national celebrations to meet
social and heritage objectives.
- Promote cultural diversity through events, activities and
festivals
- To provide a quality and enjoyable visitor experience
encouraging repeat visits throughout the season.
- Offer a varied programme of opportunities that encourages
participation across all ages and abilities.
Education:
- Let pupils experience the essential skills
for leaning and life through our cross curricular educations
programme.
- Encourage creative, reasoning and thinking abilities with
hands-on activities and exciting experiences
- Fire imagination through our Living History programmes
- Help pupils to enjoy learning, make progress, achieve and
become successful.
- Provide Outreach sessions
- Education Officers available for school assemblies
- Resource materials and loan boxes available for use in the
classroom,
Facilities:
Accessibility
Out staff receive training in disability
awareness and are happy to help with queries or if you need any
assistance.
Wheelchairs
The museum site comprises of a range of
historic buildings on one level. The exhibition galleries are
all accessible to wheelchair users. The museum has one
wheelchair for the use of visitors. Please
ask at the Tourist Information desk or telephone 01299 403573
to pre-book.
Dogs
All well behaved dogs kept on a lead are
welcome on site and in the adjoining gardens.
Eating and Drinking
The Food Foundry Café offers
refreshments through the day. For those who wish to bring a picnic,
there are benches available in the adjoining gardens or just bring
a rug.
Toilets & Baby
change
There are 4 toilets, including
wheelchair-accessible facilities throughout the site and 2 baby
change units.
Operating Standards:
- Equality and diversity a priority
- Follow good practise guidelines as detailed in WF Safeguarding
Children Policy
- All activity leaders working with young people must have
enhanced CRB clearance.
- Employees trained in Health and Safety to deal with hazards and
incidents which may occur
- The site and all activities are fully risk assessed.