The Coffin Works Museum is pleased yet again to have been shortlisted for a Museum+Heritage Award, this time in the category of Volunteer(s) of the Year in partnership with the Heritage Volunteering Group.
The nomination is in memory of the late Vickie Jones, who had volunteered with us since 2015. She unexpectedly died in November last year and this nomination honours her legacy and first-class contribution to this unique museum.
Just one example of how special Vickie was
Vickie never complained and her can-do attitude made her a favourite among the team. In 2023 she planted 200 bulbs in our courtyard, many of which are starting to peek through, a reminder of our loss. Then, in June last year Vickie arranged for Sarah, our Museum Director to meet her at a Birmingham City Council Nursery to purchase plants for the courtyard. As they took their haul of flowers to the till, Vickie worked her natural charms asking if there was any special deal they could do at charity price. And this effortless charm turned £200 worth of plants into £20.
The Awards
Shortlisted nominees have been announced for the annual Museums + Heritage Awards 2022. The global awards celebrate the very best in the world of museums, galleries, and cultural and heritage visitor attractions.
Among the 18 awards is a new award for 2024: Museums and Heritage Sector Impact Award and for the first time, there will be the opportunity for the public to vote for the cafe or restaurant of the Year and also members of the museum & heritage sector to vote for Innovator of the Year.
The independent panel of nine judges, who are all well-known in the museum’s world, include three new judges for 2024 who are curator and previously Director of the Arts Council Collection, Deborah Smith; Keith Merrin (Director of Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums) and Sally Shaw MBE who has been Director of Firstsite, Colchester since 2016.
Anna Preedy, Director of Museums + Heritage Awards commented: “It’s truly inspiring to witness the broad range of organisations featured on this year’s shortlist, where small local museums stand shoulder-to-shoulder with globally renowned institutions. This diverse line-up beautifully reflects the rich tapestry of this sector, showcasing the inclusive and eclectic nature of our global cultural heritage.”
“We are very pleased, for the first time, to be encouraging supporters of the museums to get more involved with an opportunity to vote on one of the awards. Museums’ cafes and restaurants are a great community hub and a wonderful way to generate revenue in a time when the cost-of-living crisis is affecting our sector more than ever before.”
Sarah Hayes, Museum Director said:
“Vickie was quite simply something special, a one-off and a rare find. If there was a seminal volunteer manual with a description of the perfect volunteer, it would have her name and face next to it. In the 10 years she volunteered at Coffin Works, we could never thank Vickie enough. But now we want to thank her one last time. And that’s not because we’re running out of goodwill, it’s because our Vickie died unexpectedly in November 2023. Whatever happens, this one’s for you, Vickie”
THE SHORTLIST
Volunteer(s) of the Year in partnership with the Heritage Volunteering Group
Royal Air Force Museum – Roy Martin Royal Air Force Museum Engineering Volunteer
Manchester Museum – Team Joe lead the way
The Coffin Works Museum – Vickie Jones: Volunteer, Friend and Coffin Works’ Champion
St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery – Prue Baker
Cadw Welsh Government – Cadw North Wales Project Volunteers – Pod’s Pilgrimage
Suffolk Archives – Kamal Fasi – Suffolk Archives and Volunteering Matters
For more information, please visit https://awards.museumsandheritage.com
Social Media #MandHAwards @MandHShow
For official Press Information, please contact:
Rachel Aked
Tel: 07790 732448 Email: Rachel@rachelaked.co.uk
