MD North Forum, Cliffe Castle, Keighley, 16 October 2025

10:00–15:30 16 October 2025 · Cliffe Castle Museum

Our museum forums offer you “a professional day out” – a chance to catch up with your museum colleagues in the region, visit an interesting venue, get the most out of being at a site, hear some interesting case studies – and enjoy being out in a different museum with different colleagues!

Forums usually start with tea and coffee from 10am and introductions from 10:30am. A delicious, complimentary lunch is provided. Meetings usually finish around 3:30-4pm.

Every forum will involve a chance to view and discuss at least one aspect of the host site, hear short case studies from different speakers, and network with colleagues.

The theme for the day is partnerships.

Agenda
10:00-10:30 Arrival and Refreshments
10.30-10:45 MDN Welcome & Introduction to the day, Alan Bentley, Museum Development Adviser, Museum Development North
10:45-11:15 Alexandra Stockdale Haley, Engagement and Legacy Officer, Yorkshire and North East Film Archive, Bradford Heritage Connection: One Year On 
11:15-11:45 Sharing News – please come prepared with a quick-fire update about your museum
11:45-12:15 Dale Keeton, Conservator and Ernest Cockburn, Collections Researcher, Bradford Museums and Galleries, From Yokohama to Yorkshire 
12:15-12:45 Lunch
12:45-1:45 Tour with Dale Keeton and Ernest Cockburn of ‘Ukiyo-e, the floating world’ exhibition
1:45-2:15 Maggie Smith, Trustee, Saltaire World Heritage Education Association, Developing Partnerships with Diverse Communities 
2:15-2:45 John Tanner, Head of Masterplan & Capital Projects, National Coal Mining Museum, Developing national organisational and community networks
2:45-3.15 Closing Discussion, MDN Thanks & Signposting, Alan Bentley, Museum Development Adviser, Museum Development North

Whilst we hope there’s something in the plan for the day that appeals to you, we often find that it’s the unexpected and spontaneous conversations that spark most ideas and opportunities! So, join us for a refreshing, professional day out and see what fresh thinking you can gain.

Catering: As part of MD North’s commitment to environmental responsibility and carbon reduction, catering for our in-person events is vegetarian and vegan. We encourage you to bring a reusable hot drink cup and water bottle, and perhaps a Tupperware to take home any leftovers to minimise food waste.

Access: The forum will be held in the Learning Room which is on the ground floor. The entrance to the museum does have steps, but there is an accessible entrance via the conservatory.  Wheelchair access to the museum is limited to the ground floor – about three quarters of the displays. There are blue badge parking spaces and accessible toilet facilities close to the entrance. For further Cliffe Castle access information visit AccessAble. You can view the virtual tour to get an idea of the layout here.

Booking: Please only book if you are committed to attending, so that we give everyone a timely opportunity to book and remove the added paperwork required in dealing with cancellations. If for some reason you can no longer attend, please let us know asap so we can reallocate your place.

For more information, please contact: sue.hughes@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk.

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