Oldham Council has published its Mills Strategy (March 2022) setting out how these historic textile buildings can play an important part in the future of the borough. The study, one of the first of its kind in the country, was commissioned by Oldham Council and Historic England to explore the mills potential for future use….
University of York Drops Unique MA in Railway History
The University of York has decided to drop its unique MA in railway history. Course leader Dr David Turner confirmed on Twitter at the end of February 2022 that the Masters degree in railway studies would be closing when the current intake of students graduate and that no further applications are now being accepted. This is…
Hamish Ogden Heritage Apprenticeship Scheme Underway at Warwick Bridge Mill
The Hamish Ogston Foundation Heritage Building Skills Programme is a major five year in-work training and apprenticeships programme run in conjunction with Historic England. Based in the North of England, it will run from 2021 to 2026. It is funded by a £4.3 million grant from The Hamish Ogston Foundation; a charity supporting health, heritage, and…
Keighley Heritage Railway Trials Boost Bio-coal Progress
The first ever trial of bio-coal in a full size, standard gauge, locomotive took place on February 14 2022. The trials, featuring British Railways Standard ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 No. 78022, were conducted on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. They pitted a trial batch of Homefire Ecoal, developed by CPL Industries Ltd for use in steam locomotives,…
Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants Data
The Arts Council England (ACE) has updated it National Lottery grants data for 2021/22. This includes a full list of Project Grant awards offered to organisations in the period April 2021 to August 2021. Such data is a useful resource to see which projects are attracting funding, and thus might help industrial heritage groups or…
Annual Museum Survey for 2021 Shows impact of COVID Pandemic
The Annual Museum Survey 2021 national report is now out and this reveals the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 765 museums across England, from their audiences and finances, to their workforce. It highlights the significant differences in how this impact has been felt across the sector, depending on key factors such as a museum’s region,…
PhD Research Posts into Industrial Heritage Available at Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University, working with the Industrial Crafts Research Network https://simonpenny.net/industrial-crafts.html, have two funded PhD opportunities available around capturing tacit skills within industrial heritage. The Industrial Crafts Research Network (ICRN) is an international, interdisciplinary research network of academics, museum professionals, designers, and practitioners dedicated to the study of and communication of skill and knowledge within…
Culture in Crisis Report
The Centre for Cultural Value at the University of Leeds has just released a report on Culture in Crisis. This report shares the results of its investigations into the impacts of Covid-19 on the cultural industries and is highly relevant for industrial heritage sites and organisations. The key findings are: Audiences: the shift to digital…
Industrial Sites Amongst Newly Protected Heritage in 2021
Historic England has recently pulled together a number of highlights from around 400 sites that have been protected through listing and scheduling across England during 2021 – https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/listed-in-2021/. These include 362 listings, 41 new scheduled monuments, and 13 new parks and gardens listings. A number of these are industrial heritage sites such as Lelley Windmill…
Launch Webinar for New Carbon Literacy for Museums Toolkit
A new Carbon Literacy for Museums Toolkit has been developed by The Carbon Literacy Project and Museum Development North West, in collaboration with Museum Development England, museums and Julie’s Bicycle. Museums have an important role to play in tackling the climate crisis – not only by reducing the emissions created within the museum sector, but also as…
Industrial Heritage Support 