Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Borough Councillor Bland, Councillors Kybird and Ward, Norfolk Joint Museums Committee and Lindsey Bavin, Manager of True’s Yard Museum.

The Committee is invited to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 September 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising.

There were no matters arising.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There were no declarations of interest.

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The Curator of the Lynn Museum introduced the report on the King’s Lynn Museum activities in the period from August to December 2025.  A copy of the report is attached to the minutes.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the following areas of the report:

1)     Exhibitions and events at Lynn Museum

1.1  Current Exhibition May the Toys Be with You

1.2   Forthcoming Exhibition: “Unboxed: Discovering Lynn’s Collections” (working title)

1.3  Family events

1.4  Family Trails

1.5  Mini Museum

1.6  Coffee Mornings

1.7  Talks Programme

1.8  Workshops

1.9  Forthcoming events

The Curator of the Lynn Museum invited questions from the Committee in relation to those areas of the report, as summarised below.

In response to a question from the Vice Chair, Councillor Kemp, the Curator of the Lynn Museum explained the artefacts from the former Townhouse Museum which closed in 2010 were carefully stored and documented, with some already incorporated into Lynn Museum displays and others planned for inclusion in the new exhibition, particularly to engage young visitors.  The Curator of the Lynn Museum added that children’s learning was a key priority for the Norfolk Museums Service.

In response to a question from the Chair, Councillor Bubb, the Assistant Head of Museums explained the museum had previously used libraries for displays and activities and that discussions were ongoing about using the new King’s Lynn library for youth engagement work and that they were continuing its successful partnership with the Great Yarmouth Community Hub.  The Assistant Head of Museums added that although displaying artefacts in libraries was sometimes possible, security and environmental requirements were key considerations.

The Committee’s attention was drawn further to the following areas of the report:

2)     Newman Legacy project

3)     Other Museum developments

3.1 Heritage Open Day

3.2 Dragon Festival

3.3 Beuys’ Acorns Project

3.4 Book Launch The Norfolk’s at Gallipoli 1915 by Steve Smith

3.7 NMS Teaching Museum Trainees

3.9 Volunteers

    3.10 Finds Identification and Recording Day

The Curator of the Lynn Museum explained the Marketing Manager for Norfolk Museums Service would present the following areas of the report later on in the meeting:

3.5 Publicity and promotion

3.6 Norfolk Museums Pass

The Chair, Councillor Bubb raised a question around the name of the circle of oak trees and Councillor de Whalley confirmed that it was referred to as the Beuys’ Acorns Project.

In response to a question from County Councillor Bambridge, the Assistant Head of Museums explained the war trumpet which had been discovered in Norfolk was found on a development site.

The Committee’s attention was drawn further to the following areas of the report:

4)     Borough Council partnership working

4.1 Stories of Lynn – Events & Exhibitions

The Vice Chair, Councillor Kemp, referred to the programme for home?educated young people and asked who families should contact if they wished to take part. The Marketing Manager confirmed that families could contact her or the Stories of Lynn Museum.  The Marketing Manager also reported that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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County Councillor Bambridge presented the report in the absence of the Museum Curator at True’s Yard.  A copy of the report is attached to the minutes.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the following areas of the report:

1)    Temporary exhibitions and events at True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum

1.2 True’s Talks

1.4 Pat Midgley Memorial Lecture

2)   Events

4)   Partnerships

      4.2 Dragon Festival

5)   Learning and Outreach

      5.4 Website

6)   Resource Implications

8)   Visitor Numbers

The Chair, Councillor Bubb, commented that the tearoom had been revamped and County Councillor Bambridge reported that funding had enabled improved facilities.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.

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The visitor figures for the period September to November 2025 were noted.  A copy of the visitor figures is attached to the minutes.

The Chair, Councillor Bubb commented that it would be useful to receive information on the income generated by the Stories of Lynn and the Tourist Information Centre.

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The Marketing Manager gave a presentation to the Committee.  A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes.

Councillor Lintern asked whether the Norfolk Museums Service was working with the Borough Council’s Communications team on marketing and commented that a range of platforms could be used to promote their events.  The Marketing Manager advised that they were not currently working with the team but would welcome the contact details.  The Marketing Manager stated that the Norfolk Museums Service worked closely with its own Communications team and reported they had recently appointed a new Communications Manager, and advised they would share the information with them.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Kemp, referred to the use of digital screens to promote events and asked whether any were planned for King’s Lynn, such as at the bus station.  The Marketing Manager advised that digital screens were expensive but could be considered, along with exploring other potential sites in King’s Lynn for digital advertising.  Councillor Kemp added that the Corn Exchange would be a suitable location for digital promotion.

In response to a question from the Chair, Councillor Bubb, the Marketing Manager  explained the Norfolk Museums Pass was under £50 for an adult and that you had to visit Norwich Castle or Gressenhall just over two times to make the pass pay for itself.  The Marketing Manager added that their visitor numbers had gone up by 30% since they had reopened.

In response to a further question from the Chair, Councillor Bubb, the Marketing Manager confirmed that pass users could be shown separately in the attendance figures.

In response to a question from County Councillor Chenery of Horsbrugh, the Marketing Manager explained that when they were looking at rebranding the Norfolk Museum Pass, they looked at all types of inspiration and really liked the idea of a traditional ticket with a hole punch.

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The Assistant Head of Museums advised the Committee that they were awaiting further information from the Government in March 2026 regarding Local Government Reorganisation.  The Assistant Head of Museums added that the current museum service model was effective and adaptable.

To consider any additional items for the next Agenda.

There were none identified at the meeting.

The next meeting of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee is scheduled to take place on 16^th March 2026 at 2.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee was scheduled to take place on 16^th March 2026 at 2.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.