Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Borough Councillor Mrs A Wright, County Councillors H Humphrey, J Ward, Mr S Miller, Mr R Hanley, Ms S Thompson

The Committee is invited to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June 2016 and the informal discussion notes from the meeting held on 26 September 2016.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June 2016 and the informal discussion notes from the meeting held on 26 September 2016 be approved.

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.

None.

To consider the King’s Lynn Museum Report.

The Committee received the report from the Head of Operations and Learning as circulated with the Agenda.  The details of the report were enlarged upon for the meeting.

The Head of Operations and Learning responded to questions relating to:

It was suggested that Pentney Parish Council and Pentney Church be contacted to inform them about the display of two of the Anglo-Saxon  Pentney Brooches in January and February 2017.  S Winter agreed to send them the Parish Clerk’s details.

In response to questions re the advertisement of events, it was explained that a banner was obtained to hang on the railings to advertise events taking place.  It was noted that the social media following was also assisting with this.  

It was explained that the mystery shopper work that had been carried out produced a large feedback report which had already resulted in some changes and improvements.  The only cost of the process was that of sending our staff/volunteers to mystery shop other museums as part of the process.  It was agreed to provide a summary of the report for the next meeting.

Attention was drawn to the recent donation of Samuel Gurney Cresswell items from the estate of the late Brian Hanrahan, and the fact that the Museum Service was trying to obtain an H Baines painting of the two, now demolished chapels at the Hardwick Cemetery.  Funding had been achieved from the Art Fund and the V&A Purchase fund, and with support from the Friends of the Museum.  It was hoped that if they were successful in acquiring the picture the image could be used for the Hardwick Cemetery interpretation boards.

The Museum “Mash up” was explained as putting different elements close to each other to encourage creative thinking and ideas.

Feedback on the Google Art photography had not been received, O Bone undertook to come back with some information.   NB: after the meeting it was confirmed that the

Sam Johns the Museum collections manager had confirmed that there were plans for a ‘core launch’ in January 2017 with several other museums and collections including the British Fashion Council. There were about 50 images at super high resolution for the Lynn Museum and there would also be an online exhibition about King’s Lynn’s whaling history on view. 

In relation to the pop up recitals proposed for the museum during the Festival which were successful during 2015 and 2016, it was explained that an area for approximately 25 people could be provided within the Sea Henge area which it was hoped would promote the museum.  Bryan Howling was also planning on presenting a talk on the history of the Festival.

A suggestion was made to look into the “Fenland Christmas” book showing old pictures of Christmas  for examples for any Christmas display.  It was noted that True’s Yard currently had a Christmas display, which was deliberately different from that at the Custom House.

The visitor figures were tabled for information, and it was explained that as the weather in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the date of the next meeting is yet to be agreed. .

Possibly 13 March 2017, at the Lynn Museum.  Date to be confirmed after consultations complete.