Agenda item

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 August was hot, it resulted in lower than anticipated attendance figures as people stayed outdoors and along the coast etc.  In order to try to combat this it was proposed to change the marketing approach, getting printed materials out earlier to the schools for the summer trails, and continue to work with Stories of Lynn to prevent any clashes.

Attention was drawn to the poor attendance of many of the Norfolk County Council representatives to the meetings.