MD North Forum: Gawthorpe Textile Collections, Collections Development in Practice, 5 February 2026

10:00–15:30 5 February 2026 · Gawthorpe Textile Collections

As part of our Transforming Collections programme, this all-day forum will focus on collections development practices.

This day will explore various aspects of collections development through shared learning between museums and facilitated discussions to give you time to reflect on your own organisation’s practice. There will also be the opportunity to hear from the Curator at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection about the recent store relocation and collections review projects as well as a tour of the site.

All delegates receive refreshments and a light lunch courtesy of MD North.

Agenda

10.15-10.45 Arrival and Refreshments
10.45-11.00 MDN Welcome & Introduction to the day
Kaye Hardyman and Sue Hughes, Museum Development Advisers, Museum Development North
11.00-12.15 Talk and Tour of Northlight, Rachel Midgley, Curator at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection will talk about their collections review activities and the store move.  Smaller groups will have a tour of the stores showcasing some of the collection.
12.15-1.00 Lunch
1.00-1.30 Jenny Kirton, Curator – Social History, North Lincolnshire Museum, Documenting Northern Lincolnshire’s History Project 
1.30-2.00 Rachel Burns, Curatorial & Community Engagement Coordinator, Touchstones, Rochdale, and Laura Mansfield, Curator, Manchester Galleries : Fostering Community and Enriching Collections: The Dining Room Project
2.00-2.15 Comfort break
2.15-3.15 Facilitated discussions: An opportunity to work independently and in groups to reflect on and share your collections development practice and plans.
3.15-3.30 Closing statements, Kaye Hardyman & Sue Hughes, Museum Development Advisers, Museum Development North

The Venue: Gawthorpe Textiles Collection is located at Suite 226 Unit 2, Northlight House, Pendle Rd, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FL.

Who is this forum aimed at? The forum is aimed at people who have responsibilities in developing and managing collections.

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: There is free car parking adjacent to the building and the car park has several marked bays reserved for disabled parking.  However, there is a steep slope from the car park to the main entrance so it may be preferable to use the lower entrance, but please let us know in advance if you need to do this as we will have to organise someone to let you in.  There are accessible toilets close to the store and there is level access within the building.

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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