Trustees of the Cromwell Museum Trust - · PDF fileThe Cromwell Museum interprets the life...
Transcript of Trustees of the Cromwell Museum Trust - · PDF fileThe Cromwell Museum interprets the life...
Appointment brief
Trustees
of the Cromwell Museum Trust
Introduction from the Chairman
The Cromwell Museum interprets the life
and legacy of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)
and his immediate family through
portraits, documents and objects. The
Museum interprets Cromwell's
significance and legacy. The Museum has
international popular appeal, attracting
visitors from across the globe, while at the
same time is successfully and strongly
embedded in the life of Huntingdon’s local
community. Since 2016, the Museum is
run as a Charitable Incorporated
Organisation (Reg. 1166233).
We are now looking to make significant
strides forward and recruit up to four new
Trustees.
These Trustees will have the vision and
ambition necessary to work with us on
the establishment of the trust and to
drive the Museum forward to greater
success.
Mr Peter Johnson
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Cromwell Museum Trust
Oliver Cromwell: “King in all but name”
Oliver Cromwell is one of the most
significant and controversial individuals in
history. He was head of state of the first
and only British republic, and remains to
this day the only commoner ever to have
been offered the Crown.
He was born in Huntingdon in 1599, lived in
the town for over half of his life, and
became its MP in 1628. He first came to
national prominence during the Civil Wars
when, despite having no military training or
experience, he demonstrated his abilities as
a cavalry commander. This conflict was the
making of Cromwell’s name and reputation,
and when his tactical skills brought the
fighting finally to end in 1651 he returned to
London to great acclaim. Cromwell was seen
as the man who had ended the wars and
brought peace to the nation. In April 1653
he was appointed Lord Protector and during
the next five years, until his death by natural
causes in 1658, he tried to achieve his
objective of creating a ‘Godly Nation.’
Many of Cromwell’s actions, such as his
active support for the execution of King
Charles I, his role in Ireland and his granting
of readmission of Jews to England, have
given him international significance. Yet
Cromwell’s name will always be firmly
associated with his home town of
Huntingdon. Roads are named after him,
bars and businesses take his name, and the
town sign refers to it being the place where
he was born.
About the Museum
The Museum holds the best collection of
Cromwelliana in the UK. The collection
comprises nearly 700 items, of which
Cambridgeshire County Council owns the
majority. The display includes portraits,
clothing, miniatures, arms and armour,
historical documents written by or about
Cromwell, and one of his death masks.
The Museum attracts about 10,000 visitors
each year, and carries out a rich range of
educational and outreach events, often in
partnership with other bodies such as re-
enactment groups, the Friends of the
Cromwell Museum, the Cromwell
Association, and the archives and local
studies team based in Huntingdon Library.
The Museum supports the annual Cromwell
Collection public lecture which is given
each November in Huntingdon.
The Museum has Accredited status from
Arts Council England (ACE). It is open
throughout the year daily Tuesday-
Saturday, with reduced opening hours
from November to March. Admission is
free.
Currently the Museum is staffed by a
Curator and relies on the 30-strong
volunteer body for additional support in a
variety of duties, ranging from Education,
Events, Retail and Front of House.
The Museum building
The Museum building, a 12th century
structure heavily restored in 1877, is a
Grade 2* listed building and is
approximately 70 m2. It is the building in
which Oliver Cromwell was himself
educated as a schoolboy, and where he
first received exposure to Puritan ideas
through the teaching of Dr Thomas
Beard.
The building is under local authority
ownership, ensuring that the costs of
maintaining the fabric do not fall on the
Trust. This leaves the Trust free to
concentrate on day-to-day operations,
exhibitions and audience engagement.
The Trustees of the Cromwell Museum Trust
We are looking for up to four individuals who can offer expertise and skills in
IT/ public relations background, capable of helping the Trust develop a web and social media presence
Financial/business background capable of helping the Trust maximise revenues from the Museum
It is hoped that a few of the new Trustees will come from the Huntingdon area, complementing the other largely Cambridge-based Trustees. All trustees will be expected to:
give firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets;
work together on attracting funding towards the new Trust;
ensure the continual assessment and improvement of the Museum's performance against targets established by the Trust;
help protect and manage the property and collections of the Trust and to ensure the proper investment of its funds;
represent the Trust when necessary at functions and meetings;
ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations;
ensure that the organisation pursues its objects and acts within the powers defined in its governing document; and
abide by the Museums Association Code of Ethics for Museums.
The Trustees will be responsible for ensuring
that the staff and volunteers of the Cromwell
Museum trust actively pursue the Cromwell
Museum's aims and objectives.
To apply
Please send your CV together with a supporting statement of not more than two sides of A4 about how your experience, knowledge and skills would benefit the Trust, to: Gordon Chancellor Museums Partnership Officer Cambridgeshire County Council Box Number OCT 1226 Shire Hall Cambridge CB3 0AP Email: [email protected] Tel: 01223 699402 / 07747 205575 For an informal discussion about these roles, please contact Gordon Chancellor via email or
telephone.
Cromwell Museum Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales no.1166233
Registered Office: Huntingdon Library, Princes Street, Huntingdon, Cambs. PE29 3PA