BAFM NORTH WEST AREA
Regional Conference 2010
27th March at Helmshore Textile Museum
The meeting, on 27th March, was hosted by the Friends of Helmshore Textile Museums and attended by members from as far afield as Durham, Wirral and the Isle of Man as well as being generously supported by members from museums in Lancashire, Manchester and Salford.
After refreshments everyone gathered in ‘The Hub’, to be welcomed by Beryl Rostron, Chairman of Helmshore Friends. David Shipway, Regional Co-ordinator, also expressed his delight at seeing eighty-two people present and claimed that we were setting an example to the rest of the country. He also took the opportunity of congratulating Joan Phillips, from the Friends of the Museum of Science and Industry, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.
The first speaker was Ian Gibson, County Museums Officer, who told us the history of Helmshore, which houses two historic working mills and a ‘Designated Collection of National Importance’. Ian’s account of the mills and the Turner family, who built and owned them, was fascinating and certainly whetted the appetite for the later tours.
What followed was more unexpected. Described by the next speaker as ‘a living museum’, several scarlet-coated figures entered the room. They were members of Helmshore and Haslingden Prize Band with their conductor, David Holland. David spoke about the history of brass bands as a treasured heritage. As he talked and the bandsmen played we were treated to a real understanding of how their history was our history, as their success or failure fluctuated with war and peace as well as changing fashions in entertainment. They were wonderful and the applause was long and loud as they left.
An excellent buffet lunch was provided in The Coffee Mill, Helmshore’s recently updated cafe, which has already won awards. The catering team showed us why, with a plentiful and tasty selection of food and drink in an attractive and friendly setting. The lunch was taken in two sittings because of the numbers involved, and whilst one group had lunch the other had a guided tour of the museum. There was time to chat and get to know people before we changed over.
Back in the meeting we heard from Heather Davis, Head of Lancashire Museums Conservations Service, about the work of a conservator in ‘bringing history closer to life’. She showed us wonderful examples of paintings and textiles restored and a Roman tombstone found on a building site which had been fantastically restored by team effort. Using videoconferencing equipment the conservation service can link with a number of schools and give them lessons.
Following naturally from Heather’s examples of wonderful work, Stephen Sartin’s witty and knowledgeable account of the North West’s heritage and how it was acquired could have gone on for ever but time overtook us. In a speech which dwelt on Gillow Furniture from his time at the Judge’s Lodgings in Lancaster and went on to consider the Gunpowder Plot, Arkwright’s famous portrait and water frame, he brought history to life. He also told us that museums owe much to their friends who often have considerable knowledge and look after the interests of the museums. A nice compliment.
The meeting was rounded off with a short forum and news of the Annual Conference in the Isle of Man in September from Nicola Pemberton. Fiona Turnbull, Conferences Co-ordinator, added that one great importance of conferences is the opportunity they offer for networking. David Shipway thanked everyone for the effort put into the day at every level, Friends, Museum staff and the catering staff
The day ended as it had started, with tea, coffee, cakes and plenty of networking!d. |