Author: David Simons
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Museums and their communities: Why partnerships matter
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At a time when funding pressures and changing visitor patterns are dominating conversations in the sector, museums that make meaningful, reciprocal relationships with local community groups are showing both resilience and added value. Recent sector reporting shows that museums with active community programmes are not only retaining public relevance but…
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Beyond nostalgia: Storytelling to preserve historic pubs
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The historic pub has long been celebrated as part of Britain’s cultural heritage, but the conversation has shifted. The most interesting developments during 2025 have not centred on architecture and fixtures and fittings; the real movement has revolved around interpretation. Instead of trading on atmosphere alone, a growing number of…
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The Future of Military Museums: From Bourne-May to the Landscape Beyond 2025
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The Bourne-May Report (2011) was a decisive moment for the British Army’s museum network. Commissioned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), it examined how regimental museums could remain viable as public funding tightened and the British Army itself continued to evolve. The report introduced the idea of ‘antecedent relevance’, linking…
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Digital repatriation and ethical custodianship
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Repatriation has become one of the defining conversations for the heritage sector in recent years. Across Europe, governments and museums are returning objects taken during colonial expansion to the countries and communities from which they came. The Netherlands’ decision earlier this year to return more than a hundred Benin Bronzes…
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Collaboration for survival: How museums can compete (together) for attention and visitors
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Across the UK, museums are facing increasingly testing times. Financial pressures are more acute, audiences are changing their habits and local authorities that once underpinned cultural services are withdrawing support. A recent survey by the Museums Association found that three-in-five small museums fear closure because of declining revenue. For many…
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The Enduring Value of Museum Field Trips to Schoolchildren
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In an era where digital learning platforms and virtual experiences are increasingly common in classrooms (and the home), the traditional school trip to museums remains an irreplaceable educational opportunity. These excursions create memorable learning experiences that extend far beyond textbooks and online resources, offering students unique opportunities to engage with…