Dear colleague

A few bits of news this week, as we approach the holiday:

1. On 1 February SHARE are holding a session at the Fitzwilliam Museum to launch their Hidden Histories programme.
2. On 20 February SHARE have a session at Neots Museum on the benefits for an independent museum of being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
3. I have been informed of a recent robbery of a range of archaeological items. Please contact the County Council archaeologists if you hear of anyone trying to sell such items.
4. Please VOTE for A14 Rescue Archaeology Project of the year at the following website: https://www.archaeology.co.uk/vote.

This is my last MiC news posting but my successor will I’m sure be in touch early next year. In the meantime may I say how much I’ve enjoyed working with you and I wish you a very Happy Christmas and prosperity in 2019.

Dear colleague

The post of Museums Partnership Officer for Cambridgeshire is now open for applications, with closing date 3 January. For details see https://www.publicsectorjobseast.co.uk/Museums%20Partnership%20Officer-Cambridge%20Shire%20Hall?jobId=17049&JobIndex=1&categoryList=&minsal=0&maxsal=200000&workingpattern=&keywords=museum&employee=1&postcode=&Distance=20&AdvertiseOn=2

Best wishes

Dear colleague

Firstly this week, hearty congratulations to Dr Liz Hide who has just been appointed as Director of the Sedgwick Museum. Liz was of course Chair of MiC until the end of last year. In that role, and as University Museums Officer, she was a great champion of all our museums and may I say an esteemed colleague. It’s great to ‘have her back with us’ leading one of the world’s most important geological museums. See

http://www.sedgwickmuseum.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=91&cntnt01returnid=15.

Secondly, and with apologies for the short notice, I attach details of tomorrow’s A14 Archaeology Open Day, in Huntingdon.

Best wishes

Dear colleague

There was a very interesting presentation by Jamie Everitt on Cambridgeshire museums’ benchmarking results, at this morning’s MiC AGM at Kettle’s Yard. Jamie handed out copies of the printed report but I have taken most of them to distribute to MiC members. Please let me know if you would like copies so that I can get them to you.

Those who were present this morning will have heard me explain that after six years as MPO I shall be leaving at Christmas, as I am moving to Manchester. There will be a break in the mailing of MiC News after I leave, but I hope it will be resumed as soon as my successor is in post.

Other news this week:

1. The Centre of Computing History is advertising for an archivist, closing date 30 November, at http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/news/50467/Join-Our-Team-New-Archivist-Job-Role/.
2. SHARE is holding a training day on legal protection for trustees, at St Neots Museum on 20 February. Details are at http://www.sharemuseumseast.org.uk/events/event/legal-protection-for-trustees/ .

Dear colleague

There’s quite a bit of news this week…

1. Firstly, MiC news: on the good side I attach the Treasurer’s Report, for consideration at the AGM on the 26^th (see MiC News no. 150). On the not-so-good side, there are still five member museums which have not yet paid their 2018-2019 subs. I will be ‘contacting’ those members.
2. I attach the Hertfordshire Association of Museums latest News, which may interest MiC members from the south and west of our County.
3. The Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey are advertising two new roles, both with closing dates of 26 November. They are Commercial Officer at https://www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies/Jobs2/full_job_descriptions/53916.htm and Museum Officer at https://www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies/Jobs2/full_job_descriptions/53917.htm.
4. Kettle’s Yard are advertising two roles, both with closing dates of 3 December. They are Assistant Curator at https://www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies/Jobs2/full_job_descriptions/54001.htm and Development and Events Assistant at https://www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies/Jobs2/full_job_descriptions/54002.htm.
5. The Fitzwilliam Museum is advertising some postdoctoral roles with closing date of 27 November at https://www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies/Jobs2/full_job_descriptions/54007.htm.
6. The Market Place Project in Ely is advertising for a Creative Agent, closing date 6 December, at https://www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies/Jobs2/full_job_descriptions/54016.htm.

Dear colleague

Please find attached the agenda for the Museums in Cambridgeshire AGM, which will be held at 10.30am on Monday 26 November at Kettle’s Yard. The Gallery is closed on Mondays but a receptionist will be on hand at the main entrance to let you in for the meeting, which is being held in the Ede Room on the second floor. The room is fully accessible. Since the café will be closed it will not be possible to provide lunch, and you may wish to bring your own refreshments, but the staff will be able to provide tea or coffee from the staff kitchen. I look forward to seeing you there.

Other news this week….

1. Suffolk’s HLF-funded Skills for the Future project is looking for external placements for museum trainees and they are asking if any MiC museums might be interested in providing such placements. The placements should ideally be on Thursdays in May-July 2019, but could be a block of dates over that period. Please see the attached expression of interest form which provides further information.
2. Oxfordshire Museum Service are offering a range of surplus handling collections comprising natural history specimens, social history and archaeology, and include replicas and models. To see the full list of items on offer please email sue.wright@oxfordshire.gov.uk, by 16 November 2018.
3. Common Ground is working with the Young Fenland Cultural Consortium to work with 11-18 year olds to make a heritage-related film. Please forward the attached tender invitation, which explains the project and needs to be returned by 5 December, to anyone who might be interested.
4. The Stained Glass Museum in Ely is currently carrying out an HLF-funded consultation on its future options and they are keen to know (in confidence) the views of other MiC members. If you feel you can contribute please go to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SGMSurvey2018 by 22 November.

Best wishes

Dear colleague

Just a reminder that, if you have not already done so, the deadline is TODAY (5 November) for registering for the SHARE conference in Colchester on 19 November http://www.sharemuseumseast.org.uk/events/event/share-conference/.

The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art in Newmarket is advertising for a Packard Curator, closing date 25 November (see attached).

Kettle’s Yard are advertising for a Development and Events Assistant, closing date 3 December, at http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/19436/.

I also recommend the following clip about some exciting new items at the Cromwell Museum at https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2018-11-04/unseen-treasures-belonging-to-oliver-cromwell-go-on-show-for-the-first-time/.