Northumberland County Council have agreed to fund repairs to Woodhorn Museum’s heapsteads, which support the winding gear that raised and lowered cages down the mine shaft. These are in need of a full refurbishment with major corrosion identified, leading the Grade II* listed structure to be classed as “heritage at risk” by Historic England. £1.297 million…
Author: mikenevell
I am the Industrial Heritage Support Officer for England, based at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.
Museum of Cannock Chase Under Threat from Closure in 2025
Cannock Chase Council is proposing the closure of the Museum of Cannock Chase by April 2025, as part of proposed budgets cuts for 2025/2026. The Museum of Cannock Chase first opened in 1989 on the site of the former Valley Pit, a training pit for young coal miners. It covers the history of the Cannock…
Historic England & English Heritage Update Their Climate Change Adaptation Report for 2024
Historic England and the English Heritage Trust have updated their ‘Climate Change Adaptation Report’, a document written in response to the Government’s Fourth Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP4) call under provisions in Part 4, Section 62 of the Climate Change Act 2008. This latest edition builds on the Third Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP3) report submitted jointly…
Historic England’s 2024 Heritage at Risk Register & Industrial Heritage Sites
Earlier in November Historic England published their 2024 Heritage at Risk Register, which lists all the Garde II*, Grade I and scheduled historic structures and places that it believes are in danger of being lost. The Register gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s historic buildings and places. It helps to ensure they…
Conservation Matters in the North 24: Transferrable Skills in Conservation Conference
The Northwest Conservators Group are holding their annual conference in December on the theme of ‘Transferable Skills in Conservation’. The conference is open to all with an interest in conservation including curators, conservators, historians, students, volunteers, interns, and related disciplines such as those runnign industrial hertiage sites. A series of short talks will explore questions…
Guidance on Social Media Use for Charities
Charity Digital has updated their advice on how to use social media. Social media has become essential for charities, and industrial heritage sites are no exception, in helping reach wider audiences, raise awareness, and drive donations. But as the social media landscape constantly changes, staying effective requires regular evaluation. Social media is a powerful tool,…
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – New eLearning Resources for the Heritage Sector
Museum Development South West have launched a free eLearning course for museums (and relevant to industrial heritage sites) across England who want to develop their understanding of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). The EDI Roadmap has been developed with expert consultants, with lived experience and EDI expertise, alongside a group of museum user testers. Through…
Annual Museum Survey 2024 – Findings Published
Museum Development England has released the reports for the Annual Museum Survey for 2024. The report findings highlight the continuing impact of the cost-of-living crisis, and the resulting pressures placed on museums. Museums deserve recognition for the remarkable work of their volunteers and their creative approaches to diversifying income streams. In less exceptional times, museums…
Online Appeal for Funding to Save Worsbrough Mill’s History and Heritage
Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, a fundraising charity which helps fund and promote Barnsley Museums’ five free heritage attractions, has launched a fundraising campaign to help securee the future of Wosbrough Mill. Funds are required for repairs and to future-proof the history and unique industrial heritage of the mill. This site is one of the…
Historic England Advice on Re-use of Mills Updated
Historic England has updated (September 2024) its guidance on the value of re-utilising historic mills, outlining their many potential new uses. These re-uses include houses, offices, shops, restaurants, art galleries and even an NHS outpatients’ department . The revised guidance notes that the vast majority of adults (89%) believe mills are an ‘important part of…
Industrial Heritage Support 