We have been a recipient of the AIM Pilgrim Trust Collections Care Scheme which is funded by the Association of Independent Museums and the Pilgrim Trust.

This paid for a conservator to do a condition audit of all our artefacts. Peter Meehan, an expert metal conservator, was able to identify a couple of artefacts that would benefit from conservation work particularly before we relocate. We were also advised on the types of packing materials we need to use when we are relocating, this included deciding which items will need to have frames built around them prior to moving. In the photos below you can see the 18th century iron and wood wagon which is safely out of the way of visitors hands in a pretend coffin level but will therefore be tricky to move. There are the bellows which need some repairs, these came from the remains of buildings next to opencast mine workings and will have made the daily repairs needed to chains, kibbles etc. The centre photo is of the Wills Founder water pressure engine from 1819 which despite being hundreds of feet underground for almost 200 years is in very good condition.

Without funding support like this we would struggle to allocate money for a conservator, these grants make a huge difference to small museums like ourselves.