Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Lindsey Bavin, Manager of True’s Yard Museum.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising.

County Councillor Bambridge reminded the Committee that at a previous meeting, the Chair, Councillor Bubb asked how many Friends of True’s Yard there were.  County Councillor Bambridge confirmed there were 150 members and 40 volunteers.

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 December 2024 to February 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 Woof: A Celebration of Dogs

1.2  Forthcoming Exhibition May the Toys Be with You

1.3  Family events

1.5  Mini Museum

1.6  Coffee Mornings

1.7  Talks Programme

1.8  Warm Wednesdays

1.9  Forthcoming events

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

Councillor Ward commented that he had visited the current exhibition Woof: A Celebration of Dogs and thanked Dayna Woolbright for curating the exhibition so well.

Mr Davison commented that he was impressed with the educational side of the exhibition Woof: A Celebration of Dogs and congratulated officers for their work.

County Councillor Bambridge asked how they were going to promote the forthcoming exhibition May the Toys Be with You.  The Curator of the Lynn Museum explained Hayley Simmons had contacts and advised that this exhibition had been extremely popular at other museums around the country and commented that they were hoping to build on the good numbers of visitors which they had been receiving at the Lynn Museum.

The Assistant Head of Museums reminded the Committee that they did have the May the Toys Be with You exhibition at Time and Tide Museum, but it had coincided with the Covid pandemic.  He commented that this exhibition would provide opportunities to link into people who were interested in the idea of collecting and was confident that with the local site team alongside the central marketing team and digital social media team that they would maximise the opportunities this exhibition would bring.

In response to questions from Councillor Kemp, the Curator of the Lynn Museum confirmed that refreshments were offered to people who attended the Warm Wednesday sessions.  He added that they had a member of staff dedicated to looking after people, so they had got a point of contact within the Lynn Museum and explained staff were very good at putting information out the front of the Lynn Museum to promote the sessions.

The Assistant Head of Museums added that they were offering the Warm Wednesday sessions across the Norfolk Museum Service (NMS) and made the Committee aware that a number of other venues were providing this support including libraries.

In response to a question from the Chair, Councillor Bubb, the Curator of the Lynn Museum explained that Facebook was one of the best ways to promote the family events.  He added that there was always more they could do to refine their marketing.

Councillor de Whalley referred to the current exhibition Woof: A Celebration of Dogs and commented that it was an extremely well curated exhibition.

Councillor  ...  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

4)    Partnerships

4.2 VENI

5)   Learning and Outreach

      5.2 Oral History Project – Capturing Memories

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.

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The visitor figures for the period December 2024 to February 2025 were noted.  A copy of the visitor figures is attached to the minutes.

To agree the Schedule of Meetings for 2025/2026.

RESOLVED: The Schedule of Meetings for 2025/2026 were agreed and noted.

Subject to the Schedule of Meetings for 2025/2026 being agreed, the next meeting of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee is scheduled to take place on 16^th June 2025 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 would be held on 16^th June 2025 at 2.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, King’s Lynn.