On 26th February 2020, seventeen members of the Group followed Jane Thompson-Webb, Head of Collections, into the depths of  Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to learn about the work done by their Conservation Department. Much of what they do is of a preventative nature and the visit focussed initially on insect pest management.

In the past, they had also been involved in the cleaning of the Staffordshire Hoard ready for display, discovering the intricacies of the construction of the pieces as they did so.  Another item, the history of which remains a mystery, is a Civil War jacket which came from Aston Hall and had previously been displayed flat and pinned in place - certainly less than ideal.  Now, it is being prepared to fit a 'stuffed body' to show it to its best effect.

High tech apparatus is being used in a variety of ways.  The Conservation room itself is equipped to keep the optimum conditions for whatever items are being worked on and computers and x-ray machines enable one to see the fascinating inner workings of stuffed birds and wooden statues.

The group would have liked to spend twice the time allowed for the visit, but perhaps it might be worth returning at a later date?

Janet Jordan