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Minutes of the Museum Sub-Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 13th February 2008
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MUSEUM SUB-COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2008 AT 7.00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, THE TOWN HALL, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT
PRESENT Councillor Mrs C. Bunday(Chairman)
Councillor A. Vizor (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors D. Corney-Walker
C. Davieson
Miss J. Fry
M. Hocking
D. Howe
Mrs S. Maddicott
K. Purchase
In attendance Felicity Cole – Museum Curator
Mrs Di Nicholls – St Leonard’s Tower Volunteer
Mr Fred Tozer – St Leonard’s Tower Volunteer
Samantha Scott – Office Administrator
M10. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H.L.J. Cole, K.Smith, Museum Volunteer Mrs S. McCandlish.
M11. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Museum Sub-Committee held on 3rd October 2007 were received and signed as a correct record.
M12. MUSEUM CURATOR’S REPORT
The Sub-Committee received copy of Mrs Cole’s report, copies of which had been circulated with the agenda and considered the following points: -
The recent opening of the 2008 exhibition, Bibbings ‘Chemistry and Photography’ had been very well received, with around 80 Museum Friends attending the preview, together with a good response from the media.
Mrs Cole confirmed that she had spoken on Radio Devon on the 11th February regarding the exhibition.
Unfortunately, the Western Morning News paper, who had been invited to attend the official opening of the Museum, had failed to appear.
The Museum had received regular visitors since the 12th with very positive feedback and visitors reporting that the vast collection of photographs had stirred up lots of wonderful memories.
Exhibition catalogues were selling well at a price of £2.00 per copy.
During the closure of the Museum between September 2007 and February 2008, a number of researchers had contacted the Museum: -
Newfoundland researcher
A writer who was in the process of writing a historic novel based around Newton Abbot
A group researching into the possibility of building a non-flying replica of the Newtonia Spitfire to be used for events
The Museum Curator was pleased to report that the Bristol Industrial Museum had officially donated a 29.5’’ diameter section of the vacuum pipe from the South Devon atmospheric railway. Bristol Museum had originally loaned the piece of piping for the Brunel 200 celebrations in 2006, but felt that it more relevance to Newton Abbot.
The Museum Curator reported on the recent purchases for the Museum:
Two digital frames have been erected, which have provided greater access to the Museum photograph collections
A new exhibition board had been erected in the GWR Room, which has enabled the displays to be changed more regularly
A DVD player
2 digital sound archive recorders have been donated from the Wren Trust as a result of the Brunel Community Play (2006), which has enabled the Museum Volunteers to capture historical stories from the town on tape
A selection of postcards had been produced within the Museum and had been very well received.
The Museum Curator proceeded to show members the postcards, which were very well received by the members.
Discussions regarding the signage for the Museum were ongoing with
Andrew Stacey (artist for TDC).
The Museum Curator reported on the success of a visit to Decoy School in November 2007 where a short performance was given by the Museum Curator and Keith Wills (Museum Volunteer).
The possibility of an archaeological dig previously discussed (03/10/07 – M3, point 12) was referred to confirming that Wolborough C of E School was very keen to become involved.The dig has been planned for July of 2008.
The proposed opening of St Leonard’s Tower for 2008 had been planned for 11th June 2008.
The Museum Curator reported on her attendance at the following events: -
10th October 2007 – Teignbridge Museums Meeting
18th October 2007 – TDC Building Bridges
26th October 2007 – National Museums Strategy
2nd November 2007 – Caring for your Collections training day
19th November 2007 – Brunel book launch – Brunel Manor
Friends of the Museum numbers continued to increase and the programme of events scheduled between January and May 2008 were noted by members.
Future exhibitions for the years 2009 / 2010 / 2011 were reported on briefly by the Museum Curator:
John Lethbridge – Diving Exhibition 2009
Historic Diving Association – 2009
National event – Darwin 200 – 2009
Possible ‘Sounds of Newton Abbot’ – 2010
Possible Racecourse Exhibition – 2011
Possible Sports Exhibition during Olympiad – 2012
Arising from the discussion of the Museum Curator’s reported it was –
(a) RESOLVED - That the Museum Curator compile a press release accompanied with some photographs as soon as possible.
(b) RESOLVED – The Museum Curator should investigate the possibility of getting a selection of postcards professionally printed to be sold in various locations within the town, together with the possibility of a photographic calendar for 2009.
The Chairman thanked the Museum Curator on behalf of the members for her excellent report.
M13. ST. LEONARD’S TOWER
(a) To discuss possible start date of Wednesday 11th June 2008 for St Leonard’s Tower opening.
A St Leonard’s Tower Volunteer suggested that opening around the May Bank Holiday weekend would be more beneficial as visitor numbers would have started to increase by that time.
Concern was expressed around any possible disruption that may be caused regarding access to the Tower with the on-going pedestrianisation works in Wolborough Street / Bank Street
Arising from the discussion it was
(1) RESOLVED that a letter be written formally the 4 St Leonard’s Tower Volunteers to propose an opening date of 28th May 2008
(2) RESOLVED that the Office Administrator, together with the Town Clerk make contact with Devon County Council to confirm complete access to the Tower and the area surrounding it from end May – end September 2008.
(b) Any works required
Concern was expressed regarding the amount of items that had been stored within the Tower
The possibility of signage being strategically placed, encouraging visitors in the direction of the Tower
Plinth near the cannons was in need of improvement
M14. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
The Sub-Committee noted the statement circulated with the Agenda showing income and expenditure between 1st April 2007 and 5th February 2008.
A query was raised regarding the balance of £11,655.00 remaining of out the £35,000.00 budget for the year 2007/8. The Office Administrator explained that this figure did not take into account the salary of the Museum Curator for months of February and March 2008 and the balance, without further expenditure was likely to be £7305.00
M15. LATE CORRESPONDENCE
Nil
M16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was provisionally agreed that the next Meeting of the Sub-Committee be held on 11th June 2008.