A SIGNIFICANT landmark has been reached at Brecknock Museum thanks to the dedicated work of the team of volunteers. “We have just catalogued the 30,000th item in our collection,” explains senior curator Nigel Blackamore.
“MODES is a computerised cataloguing system used by many museums,” Nigel explained. “Details about each object are entered into MODES, creating a searchable, computerised catalogue called a database – and we’ve recently entered our 30,000th item onto the Brecknock Museum MODES system.”
“The 30,000th item is a banner commemorating the Battle of Agincourt,” Nigel continued. “Its official description in MODES is ‘Embroidered applique wall hanging inspired by Welsh history and legend surrounding the Battle of Agincourt 1415. Worked by the Brecon U3A Contemporary Crafts Special Interest Group in 2015 to mark the 600th anniversary of the battle.’ This banner was previously displayed at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds and we’re delighted that this wonderful contribution by our friends at U3A has helped us reach this landmark.”
About a dozen volunteers are currently working on entering details about the collection into MODES.
“Some volunteers have specialist knowledge, which helps add to our information about the objects,” said Volunteer co-ordinator Caitlin Gingell, “but prior knowledge is not essential, as full training is provided for volunteers to make sure all MODES entries are consistent and that the correct standards are maintained.”
Kelvin Jones is one of the volunteers working on MODES. “I’ve always been interested in history, and I learn so much more by volunteering at the museum,” he enthused. “I’ve catalogued a wide range of items on MODES, including an old police uniform, cheese presses, a flat iron, buttons, embroidery needles and a needle sheath for storing needles safely.” Kelvin also volunteers at the Aberdare Museum.
“I do front-of-house work there. I enjoy that, and I enjoy the cataloguing work here in Brecon – both are
very interesting in different ways.”
Alison Noble is a local history specialist in the Breconshire Local and Family History Society. “I’ve been volunteering at Brecknock Museum for about five years now and the two roles compliment each other,” she said. “My main role as a museum volunteer is cataloguing photographs in the collection and scanning them so that the image is on the MODES database. It’s fascinating to study these photographs and I’ve found out a great deal about the local area.”
Work on MODES, especially the programme of scanning photographs, is ongoing.
“The volunteers are making such a valuable contribution with their work,” said Nigel. “Every piece of information about each object is recorded, creating a database that can easily be searched.”
In the future, volunteering roles will expand as the Museum moves into Y Gaer. Collections work will continue, and additionally there’ll be front-of-house roles too.
Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering opportunities at Brecknock Museum (and at Y Gaer in the future) is welcome to have a chat with Volunteer Co-ordinator Caitlin Gingell. She can be contacted in the Museum office on 01874 624121, or at [email protected].