Durham Light Infantry Museum to Close...CONFIRMED

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by Mr Jinks, Oct 22, 2015.

  1. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    After much speculation it has been confirmed that the DLI Regimental Museum in Durham is to close.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-34593067

    How its collections will be moved will be interesting as during the last refurbishment WW1 Memorial Plaques were brazed to the cabinets to create a display as these cabinets will now be surplus will they be able to remove the Plaques without damaging them? During the same refurbishment only half the exhibits were re displayed (The excuse again being that the surplus could be displayed elsewhere which did not happen) now they are moving to other premises what will happen to the `new` surplus exhibits? The Regimental silver was auctioned off to make a bronze statue in Durham City and the Paper records and photographs (those that were not damaged when the museum store flooded!) were moved to County Hall....County Hall will also close as the Durham County Council want to move to other premises also!
    Strange co-incidence that the land that both the County Hall AND the DLI Museum occupy are the subject of a planning proposal for a Business / Technology Park..or am I being cynical?


    Kyle
     
  2. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    That is terrible news Kyle. I have always had an affinity with the regiment, even before my Chindit research had begun, as my Great Grandfather on my maternal side was Pte. 18/25 Robert William Bussey of the 18th Pals Battalion in WW1.

    Thanks for posting.
     
  3. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Tragic. The North loses another part of its identity.
     
  4. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Really disappointed to hear this Kyle. I wanted to visit the museum as my Dad landed in France with the 10th DLI in Jun 44 before his transfer a few months later to the 5th East Yorks.

    I was also going to visit my Sri Lankan grandfather's grave while in Durham, he served with the Merchant Navy in both WW1 & 2.

    It's disgusting, as you stated.
    Maria
     
  5. Swiper

    Swiper Resident Sospan

    Several points of the report are rather interesting:

    Numbers

    It is hardly fair to compare a small Regimental Museum to Locomotion, the Cathedral or even more farcically Beamish!

    This is rather like stating, "The small tea room is not doing as well as the mega-chain cinema. Something must be done!"

    The DLI museum which currently houses the collection had 39,359 visitors in
    14/15, which includes the DLI collection, art gallery visitors and approximately
    1,500 school children who participate in formal education programmes on site.
    Whilst it is recognised that the WW1 commemoration is having a positive
    effect on visitor numbers, this level of interest is unlikely to be sustainable in
    the future.
    8 Despite the museum also occupying a city centre location on the Aykley
    Heads site, visitor numbers are low compared with many other museums and
    attractions in the County; Locomotion 170,000, Beamish 600,000, Cathedral
    600,000 and Bowes 110,000. The current location of the building is away from
    the main visitor footfall in the city which would encourage linked trips and
    increased dwell time.

    Cost
    Council subsidised by £7.41 per visit vs £1.58 across the County. In 2014/15 a pretty impressive saving from £10.05 in 2013/14.

    Collection

    To move to Severnhills at Spennymore. It is highly unlikely the collection will continue to grow given a lack of museum/front face/amalgamation.

    The proposal is to relocate the DLI collection to Sevenhills at Spennymoor, to
    a store that is secure, environmentally controlled and suitable for the size of
    the collection and its anticipated growth. This will sustain and improve the
    condition of the collection for future generations and for historical research.

    Durham University
    For 5 years there may or may not be an exhibition (semi-permanent) on history of Regt.
    Interesting to note there is nothing guaranteed after this date.
    Council will contribute £175k to this (bidding in process).


    26 Essentially the initial University loan will include:
    a. A semi-permanent gallery for five years, containing the ‘History of the
    Durham Light Infantry’ within the Palace Green complex which would
    be free to access by visitors.
    b. Storage of medals not on initial display and their delivery on demand to
    the ‘Barker Reading Room’ for viewing for the 5 year period of the
    collection loan.
    c. A First World War learning package delivered on site, supporting a
    wider outreach learning package delivered by DCC.
    d. 5 DLI-related temporary exhibitions, commencing with the large-scale
    Somme exhibition in 2016 utilising other gallery space within Palace
    Green Library with the potential to tour into other local spaces, which
    might form part of a range of joint ticketing opportunities with wider
    exhibitions in the city.
    e. A package of advice on conservation to the Trustees and information to
    visitors. This approach will further develop our partnership with Durham
    University and allow greater access to academics to help curate new
    exhibitions.



    Council Programmes
    Future Council Programmes on art and other bollocks.

    Essentially, this more dynamic approach to the use of the collection has the
    opportunity to reach a much wider audience than could be hoped for at the
    current fixed DLI museum location. By example, the close proximity of offering
    two supported exhibitions in Summer 2016, albeit temporarily, would present
    opportunities for joint ticketing and expanding the reach and affordability
    across the city.

    So it'll have increased access (arguably) at the University for 5 years. Then no guarantees.

    Finances
    Budget to be slashed overall from £396k in 13/14 to £50 in 16/17

    Conclusion
    Despite much posturing in the report it is clear that the long term access to the collections/public face of UK PLC's military history in Durham is more uncertain than previously thought. While the Council suggests that it will have be revived this looks an extremely short term measure. Council's museum structure does not look resilient as a whole- impressive budget reductions by staff are not to be ignored, but its clear that something is gravely amiss in terms of marketing/finance (or indeed the entire concept of a Museum/Art Gallery newbuild).

    Speaking nationally it is a step closer to the argument for centralised regional museums which guarantee increased footfall. I'm not a fan of this argument but I anticipate another wave of amalgamations in the next 10 years.
     
    Mr Jinks likes this.
  6. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    Difficult times, indeed!
     
  7. The Cooler King

    The Cooler King Elite Member

    Very sorry to hear that.
    I visited earlier this Year and really enjoyed the museum.
     

    Attached Files:

    Sussex by the Sea and dbf like this.
  8. The Cooler King

    The Cooler King Elite Member

    :)
     

    Attached Files:

    Sussex by the Sea and bamboo43 like this.
  9. The Cooler King

    The Cooler King Elite Member

    :)
     

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  10. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    According to the original news report about the closure of the museum:

    "The DLI Museum in Durham could see its collection relocated to Spennymoor."!

    It does not indicate what would happen to the collection if, or when, it is moved to Spennyoor or who is likely to look after it. Presumably there would still need to be a designated curator in charge of it?
     
  11. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    The Collection is off to Sevenhills in Spennymore where it will be held in a climate controlled environment. The idea is `occasional` displays the proposal is;-

    Its the end of the collection being displayed in its entirety :(

    Kyle
     
  12. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks CK,

    Always appreciate the photos you post on the forum.
     
  13. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pX4JxksC3Q






    Kyle
     
    Ramiles likes this.
  14. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzmYWofvkkQ






    Kyle
     
  15. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Question and answers posted by the Council

    No place for Wakenshaws Gun???? :(

    Kyle
     
  16. PaulE

    PaulE Senior Member

    A facebook page with 26,000 members is currently operating to try and prevent the closure of the Museum and make the Council and the Trustees of the Museum think again.

    The decision was made by the 10 person cabinet of Durham County Council in conjunction with the Museum Trustees without any consultation with the majority of County Council or the electorate , the problem with the plan is that is no sustainable alternaive after 5 years at which time the DLI Collection could be totally consigned to storage and History , plus the present plan will only allow a very small percentage of the collection to be on display at any one time . Items such as the 2pdr AT Gun on which Pte Adam Wakenshaw won his VC and the original uniform worn by Dickie Annand in his VC action will be mothballed into storage never to be seen again !

    Here is alink to the FB page and campaign website

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1484131518559378/?fref=nf

    http://savethedli.org.uk/

    cheers

    Paul
     
  17. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    It's a very, very strange world where fighter jets and bombs cost so much - and this is unaffordable?
     
  18. PaulE

    PaulE Senior Member

    This campaign is ongoing and now has 27,000 members on the facebook page , surprisingly many of the reasons the Council are giving for closure are not standing up to scrutiny , if any member here would like to add their support to the campaign please do so,

    cheers

    paul
     
  19. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Its good that so many people have rallied around the cause. Unfortunately it seems the chairman of the DLI Trustees (who own the collection) is in agreement with Councillor Foster?

    The proposed bid to have the closure delayed by the Lib Dems went unheard at the Council meeting when the meeting was deliberately `overran` by Labour to prevent the motion being heard?

    Sad State of affairs really :(


    Kyle
     
  20. Swiper

    Swiper Resident Sospan

    It is unfortunate that both sides are unwilling to compromise. Having followed this closely the attitude of the group to save the DLI, from Facebook content, has become increasingly: aggressive, voices of blatant defamation, full of Labour-hate, libellous and plain nasty. This will be seen by Council reps, as will despite the large numbers of members (who can be added by anyone) has not resulted in a great deal of direct action turnout... this doesn't resonate well. Similarly the uncompromising demands for it to stay, unchanged, is antagonistic and unrealistic. That most of the support from the 27,000 is Clictivism is a problematic position to step out from if this is not followed up by suitable levels of public action.

    Attacking the Trustees of late was exceptionally unwise as well, not least that its fairly clear the entire picture is... a complete mess, more or less for the reasons I originally aired above.

    A regional hub would be a great solution, or incorporation into Beamish but screaming blind to save it and that nothing must change is rather unwise. Foster's actions have been rather shameful and certainly rather unwise, however as it seems the Trustees are set in their action that only so much can be achieved. Many Regimentals are coming to the end at the moment, Firepower being the biggest, and sadly some things cannot go on for ever. It is a pity that an opportunity for adaptation, innovation and growth throughout the region fall flat.

    Both sides are, sadly, equally to blame for the current impasse.

    Perhaps once the museum closes (the Council only has to procrastinate for several months and the place will be closed), a more suitable dialogue can begin. Or perhaps that door will close completely owing to the increasingly farcical actions of both sides.
     

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