NWN-18062020

NEWBURY NEWS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT n 2

Thursday, June 18, 2020 37

Newbury Weekly News

Decolonising collections Highlights from the West Berkshire Museum Collection by Curator Janine Fox

The Black Lives Matter movement is sweeping the world. Protests, the removal of statues, and discussions about the renaming of roads oppression are markers for change. The leading membership bodies representing UK museums, galleries, heritage and archives have produced a joint statement of intent to end racism (https:// www.museumsassocia- tion.org/news). This work will cover all aspects of the heritage sector, including the curating of historic collections, their staff members, volunteers and learning and buildings that venerate cultural

Army convoy and gathering by the Jubilee Clock, London Road, Newbur y. Spe nhamland, Broad.wBaoyer War, c1900, Field Marshal Roberts at front

Portrait of Harold John Edward Peake, Honorar y Cu tor of Newbyur Museum. Most of the mus’se‘uWmorld Collectio’ns

were acquired

during his time as curator

people’s history and sense of place. We will educate ourselves, but we also want the people of West Berkshire, our community, to have their say and work with us. We want to have the conversations that will develop our collections and build sustainable relationships that will enable an ongoing dialogue. This way, we can create a trusted, socially-conscious museum that represents us all.

19th and 20th centuries, West Berkshire Museum has structures rooted in enormous privilege. We care for material culture and attempt to interpret local histories that will sometimes inevitably have connections to colonialism and oppression. The systemic challenges museums face include lost stories and associations, outdated interpretations and research that might be incorrect or offensive. We also have a clear lack of representa- tional voices from source communities. Museums have started the process of ‘decolonisation’, but it is complex and varies for each institution. The reason to do it is simple, however. This is a time for us to listen and learn. As part of West Berkshire Council, the museum has a public equality duty and is committed to being an equal and diverse organisation. It has a Lifetime Learning and Participation programme that currently helps us to connect with local groups and work together on projects that enhance inclusion, empathy and cultural understanding. As a community museum, we’re looking to reconstruct new ways of thinking about the collections we hold, to better reflect

WEST Berkshire Museum has a collection of objects from around the world that was largely compiled by Harold Peake, Honorary Curator between 1909 and 1946, who was best known as an archaeologist and anthropologist. He travelled for his research and purchased objects to bring back. He also bought objects from other museums and dealers, and sold pieces from the Newbury collection. This is not how museums build and manage collections today, although it was common practice during this time. Peake’s collections focussed on his interests in India, Europe and the Middle East. The museum has donations and transfers of objects from other museums within this world collection as well that have connections to Ancient Egypt and the tourist trade in Africa, America and Asia. The museum also holds objects relating to military campaigns such as the Boer War, the Anglo-Ashanti Wars and the First and Second World Wars that can tell layered and meaningful histories of our colonial past. Like many institutions founded in the

British Empire Exhibition badge, 1924. Souvenir created to commemorate the colonial exhibition held aetmWbley from April 23, 1924 to October 31,1925. The aim of the exhibition was “to stimulate trade, strengthen bonds that bind mother Countr y to her Sister States and Daughters, to bring into closer contact the one with each other , to enable all who owe allegiance to the British flag to meet on common ground and learn to know each ot”h. er

programmes. This conversation and desire for change within museums is ongoing

Medieval oil lamp from Old Cairo, Egypt, with handle and elongated spout, and green faience glaze. Donated to the museum in 1914 by HonyorCaurrator Harold John Edward Peake

Mess’ys the odrer of the activity day

West Berkshire Muse’usmaim is to ensure that eyovenre is able to get involved with and access its objects and resour ces thr gh a wide range of learning and participation opportunities, such as school visits and sessions, adult talks, family activity days, family fun days, and other formal and informal learning. One of its pyriamuadriences is families and so through free galler y activities such as colouring in, simple crafts, object handling, trolley activities, themed trails and quizzes, it engages with them as they explore the museum. There is also a programme of events and activities aimed at families: a family activity day or ‘Messy Museum D’ aeyvery Friday in school holidays; regular histor y-themed family fun days; and a monthly under-5s session, B’slaBzueddies, to name but a. fTeowkeep in touch with their family audience while the museum is closed, they a re offering free downloadable family resour c s ch as colouring in, creative writing, craft and ‘Let’s Imagin’eactivity sheets. These provide a fun and educational way to engage with museum objects. The resour ces can be accessedwawt w.westberkshireheritage.org/life-long-learning

“I love being involved with the family workshop activities which are varied, fun and sometimes messy. They are called Messy Museum Days for good reason. It is rewarding to see parents and carers interacting with the children on creative art projects at both the museum and Shaw House. I have also helped out at Civil War Days. Having worked with infant children for much of my career I particularly enjoy and really value my time at Blaze’s Buddies where very small children are introduced to the museum through stories, songs, craft activities and treasure hunts in the galleries, based on a theme each month. Seeing the children being engaged and growing in confidence within the group is special to see and be part of. “Finally, I appreciate being a valued part of a team at the museum, being able to transfer my skills as a teacher and to continue to have some involvement in young children’s learning.” The museum is currently recruiting for volunteer family activities assistants. If you are interested in volunteering with West Berkshire Cultural and Library service, please contact www.westberks.gov.uk/volunteer or call (01635) 519533.

interactive ways. I have also assisted with the general organisation and photography of other in-house and external events and exhibitions, including the First Battle of Newbury Re-enactment Day, which took place in June 2018. I have always been deeply interested and fascinated by local history, and to be part of a cultural hub like the Museum is something I am proud of and am delighted to continue with.” Nicola Maddon describes her experience of volunteering at the museum: “For the last three years I have been a volunteer at West Berkshire Museum, helping out at family workshops in school holidays and also once a month with Blaze’s Buddies for the under-fives. “Prior to retiring in 2017 after 39 years as a primary school teacher, I was a member of a group of teachers who had a responsibility for or interest in history that met termly with the learning and participation officer at the museum. After retiring, I was keen to do some volunteering work and this link between education and my love of history meant the invitation for me to help out at museum events was perfect. I felt I could offer my experience with young children and in return could continue to feel this was of use.

THE museum has a number of volunteers who help with learning and participation activities, without whom the museum wouldn’t be able to offer such a variety of events. Jill James, pictured left, explains why she loves volunteering at West Berkshire Museum: “I love wandering around museums, learning about the past and I wanted the opportunity to use my experience as a primary school teacher in some way. “I applied to help at the monthly pre-school workshop, Blaze Buddies. It is a lovely way of meeting others; the children love listening to a story, meeting Blaze every month, working on a craft activity and finding a related object in the museum. I love helping them to enjoy their very early experiences of a museum. I always feel that I am part of something useful, and a real member of the museum team.” Mirek Gosney writes: “I have been involved as a Voluntary Learning Assistant at the West Berkshire Museum for almost three years, supervising with the running of its ‘Messy Museum’ activity days designed to educate children ages three to 11 about various historical periods in fun and