#010 - September 2016
Dorset County Museum Volunteer Newsletter Dates for Your Diary: Thurs 8th Sept
EVENING WITH THE CURATOR of Speed to the West 7.00 for 7.30pm Join Paul Atterbury for “The story of my life told through railway posters, mostly desert island favourites as a background to curating the Speed to the West exhibition”. Wed 14th Sept
GEOLOGY REVEALED 6.30pm for 7.00pm SCIENCE & IMAGINATION— Getting Intimate with Deep Time. Sam Scriven—Earth Science Manager, Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site Thurs 15th Sept
7.00pm for 7.30pm HISTORY EXPLORED Strange Coincidences & Historical Facts— Warwick Taylor MBE
Welcome to Issue no.10 of DCMVOX… We have reflected on a mixed outcome to opening on Sundays over the last few weeks. The wonderful warm weather has not encouraged visitors to come in although we did benefit from a recent wet day. A big thank you to all the volunteers who gave up their Sundays to assist. What would you like to see in next month’s issue? Please email your suggestions to Gabriella Crouch: development@dorsetcountymuseum.org by Mon 26th September. Any suggestions welcome!
Museum Collections Storage Many of you will know that we were considering renting space at Dukes Fine Art Saleroom, near the station, to provide improved storage conditions of our fine art collection. However, in March, the Trustees took an opportunity to purchase the Old School building in Grey School Passage. The acquisition of this extra space made the proposed move to Dukes looked less financially attractive and so we have cancelled this option by mutual agreement with Dukes. Much of the Fine Art Collections and Textiles will move into the Old School from the Colliton Street cottages along with Social History. This latter will leave the stables clear to allow the HLF bid construction to proceed (fingers crossed!) The Natural History collection requires containment due to the preservation fumes and the cost of this is prohibitive. Therefore the Natural History will remain in Colliton Street for now. We’ll keep you updated in this fast moving world as best we can. John Hilton
Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset Update ... Where we are….
Where we’re heading…
We had over 100 guests come and have their say on our latest designs during our open evening on Tuesday 9 August. The Victorian Hall was filled with people eager to speak with our project team and discuss the latest developments.
As valued members of the Museum team, we hope you all took the time to see the plans and give your thoughts.
All project team members are currently working towards our HLF interim review which will take place later this month. During this review, all project team members will present their work to our HLF Mentor and Case Officer who will assess our progress to date.
We are currently in the process of recruiting an Exhibition Design Company to work alongside our Exhibition and Interpretation Team to develop the gallery spaces. Interviews will be held at the end of September.
Main Exhibition: ‘Speed to the West: A Nostalgic Journey’ until 7 January 2017
In the Tea Room: Dorchester Camera Club
The next steps for our architects will be to develop those designs, taking into account the feedback we received.
Please follow @tomorrowsmuseum on Instagram and visit www.tomorrowsmuseumfordorset.org for the latest developments
Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA Tel: 01305 262735 - www.dorsetcountymuseum.org
Visitor Quote of the Month: “ I like the Museum. I don’t really want to say anything else...I’m hungry!”
Blockbuster Autumn Book Sale! Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Monday 14th November HELP! You will know that we hold a second-hand book sale in the autumn which very successfully raises funds for the museum. Peter Anthes and Valerie Dicker have been prime movers in this event, overseeing the sale and categorising and sorting the books as they come in. As with any event, the more people who can help, the less onerous it is for the individuals and we would like to ask for your assistance. If you would like to join the team for this event, please contact Anna Butler—01305 262735 or secretary@dorsetcountymuseum.org. Tasks will include: Sorting and categorising books as they come in prior to the sale Moving the books into the Victorian Hall and arranging into predetermined groups for the sale on Thursday 10th November Staffing the sales desk over the three days of the sale Packing away and disposing of books at the end of the event on Tuesday 15th November Anyone who helps, of course gets a good look at the books before anyone else! Donations of good quality hard and paper-back books are welcome at any time, but please note that certain categories DO NOT sell. These include self-help/improvement, out of date guides and maps, magazines, calendars, novelettes, most religious items, condensed books and poor-quality children’s books.
Accession Books You will know that there is a procedure for using the Accession Books which are held in a locked cupboard in the Collections staff office. Unfortunately, one book has gone missing. Have you seen it? The book is A4 size, brown and entitled: MCA Dorset County Museum—Photographic Register Volume 8. The return of this book will not incur any punishment!
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Would you like to see what goes on behind closed doors?
Volunteers Needed Front of House and Tea room
I understand that one or two recent volunteers have expressed an
We continue to require cover for both front of house and the tea room. If you, or someone you know, is interested in having some shifts, please get in touch with: Jill Minchin on
interest in a brief behind the scenes inspection of the Geology stores. If this is the case please get in touch with us by e-mail [geology@dorsetcountymuseum.org] and we’ll see if we can find a mutually convenient time slot.
volunteering@dorsetcountymuseum.org
Paul Tomlinson for the Geology team
Dorchester Literary Festival ‘Literary Passions & Country Pleasures’ - 19th—23rd October 2016
Would you like to help with this event? Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles over the five days of the Festival. A Volunteer briefing session will take place in the Victorian Hall at 10.00am on Friday 9th September. If you would like to register your interest, either contact Paul Atterbury or Janet Gleeson via contact@dorchesterliteraryfestival.com or just turn up on Friday 9th September. www.dorchesterliteraryfestival.com If you would like to receive this newsletter by email please send your contact details to Gabriella Crouch on development@dorsetcountymuseum.org