Oakmere Solutions Ltd

Oakmere Solutions celebrate 10th anniversary

2019-05-06T14:02:00.000+01:00

Heritage sector consultants Oakmere Solutions Ltd will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in May. The company, which provides a range of services primarily but not exclusively to the heritage sector, was formed by directors Dr Peter Funnell and Dr Sharon Goddard in May 2009 to support the growth in heritage related developments across the UK.

“Our aim was, and remains to ensure that the UK’s outstanding heritage whether historic buildings, natural or park landscapes, museums, archives or intangible heritage such as oral histories and stories, are protected and made available to people and communities in interesting, enjoyable and sustainable ways”, said Dr Peter Funnell.

Over ten years, Oakmere Solutions has been privileged to work with a wide variety of heritage organisations. From major national bodies such as the RSPB, the National Trust, Historic Royal Palaces and English Heritage, to smaller more locally focused agencies such as Croydon Airport Society in Surrey and Heritage Lincolnshire. The company has supported a wide range of diverse projects including: cataloguing the extensive memorabilia and trophies at Ipswich Town Football Club; revealing the history of the Suffolk Punch through archive work with the Suffolk Horse Society; undertaking activity planning for Britten 100, a major project to increase learning and engagement with the heritage legacy of Benjamin Britten in Aldeburgh; working with a range of project partners in Kings Lynn to tell the town’s fascinating story; and work to support the long-term sustainability of Catton Park Norwich, the first known commission of landscape architect Humphry Repton.

Many of these projects have been financially supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Oakmere Solutions has worked closely with the Heritage Fund both to support clients receive funding and to ensure that funding is effectively used through business planning and project evaluation. Oakmere Directors have also worked directly for the Heritage Fund as project mentors and through undertaking and disseminating primary research.

“Our unique heritage is a major factor in the success of the UK’s thriving tourism industry. Heritage helps us define ourselves and the places we live and visit. It provides jobs and a wide spectrum of volunteering opportunities which impact positively on people and communities. Our heritage is something to celebrate and we are delighted to have contributed to its sustainability over the past decade”, said Dr Sharon Goddard.

Asked to identify a couple of highlight heritage projects over the ten years proved to be a challenge for Oakmere directors.

“Difficult, but two projects standout. Working with Historic Royal Palaces involved extensive meetings and activities behind the scenes at the Tower of London and Hampton Court, both world heritage sites. At a different level, our work with a dedicated team of volunteers to catalogue the Music Hall archive and collection of actor and comedian Roy Hudd will stay with us if only for the laughter and song”, said Dr Funnell.

“I have had the privilege to mentor over 50 Heritage Fund projects, including major initiatives at Canterbury and Winchester Cathedrals, the restoration of the Charterhouse in London, and the expansion and rewilding of the Great Fen. However, our recent work to plan for the repair and refurbishment of the Thames Barge Raybel, return it to Sittingbourne in Kent where it was built and support its use for education purposes and as an example of sustainable green transport has been inspirational”, said Dr Goddard.

Oakmere Solutions are currently working on new initiatives ad projects across the UK.

Oakmere Director appointed Trustee of Suffolk Family Carers

2018-09-13T10:35:00.000+01:00

Suffolk born business woman Dr Sharon Goddard has been appointed to the Trustee Board of Suffolk Family Carers. The charity helps family carers of all ages across Suffolk get the support they need to live fuller lives. For over 30 years, the charity has provided information, advice and support to thousands of family carers, and campaigned on issues that affect family carers to ensure their voice is heard.

Reflecting on the appointment Dr Goddard said: “I am delighted to be invited to join the Trustee Board at Suffolk Family Carers. It is a great privilege to work with such dedicated and experienced professionals in providing the very best services and support to family carers of all ages across Suffolk.”

Further information on this appointment and the work of Suffolk Family Carers is available at https://suffolkfamilycarers.org/

Restoration of Thames Sailing Barge Raybel

2018-09-13T10:17:00.000+01:00

Oakmere Solutions are delighted to be supporting the exciting planned restoration of the Thames Sailing Barge Raybel and accompanying community activity programme, to be undertaken at Lloyd Wharf, Milton Creek, Sittingbourne, Kent. The Raybel is an historic Thames spritsail sailing barge which was built and launched from Milton Creek in 1920 and now needs restoration so that it can once again carry cargo under sail using the unlimited energy of the wind as well as providing a resource for education, training, leisure and tourism.

The planned restoration will be undertaken between September 2019-2020 with project community activities continuing until 2022. This will be the first barge restoration to be carried out in Sittingbourne, despite it's great heritage in barge construction.

Some context: the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has provided development funding to Raybel Charters Community Interest Company (CIC) to undertake detailed planning of the restoration of the Barge and accompanying activity and business planning. Oakmere Solutions Ltd. has been commissioned to develop the project Activity Plan which will form part of the second-round submission to the HLF for funding in spring 2019. The Activity Plan will specify a programme of activities, events and volunteering opportunities designed to involve more, and a wider range of people in learning about and enjoying the Barge and its fascinating history. These activities will help people to:

learn about and engage with the heritage of the Raybel, of Thames sailing barges, of Milton Creek, Sittingbourne, and of the surrounding area of North Kent and the wider Thames estuary.
learn new skills
actively engage in heritage volunteering.

Our initial ideas for the Activity Plan include community activities and events, talks and tours, volunteering options for adults and young people, training, resources and activities for schools and reminiscence resources for older people.

A small project staff and associated budget has been identified to support this work.

We now need to know what local people think about these plans and their likely appeal, and to contribute their own ideas. We have developed a short online survey to capture these and this is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JCSNRV5. The survey takes no longer than 5 minutes to complete and the deadline for submission is 1 October 2018.

The CIC is also interested in developing partnerships with community organisations in the area. If you know of an organisation which may be interested in having a further conversation about mutually beneficial activities please get in touch.

Oakmere Director Dr Sharon Goddard re-appointed by Heritage Lottery Fund.

2018-02-28T16:55:00.000+00:00

Every five years the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) recruits a register of specialists who support HLF staff, grantees and applicants by mentoring and/or monitoring grant awarded projects. A total of 40 people in the area of ‘Public Engagement with Heritage’ who have expertise in learning, interpretation, inclusion, audience development, volunteering and skills training are recruited to work across the UK. Sharon has served on the Register since its inception in 2008 and is delighted have been re-appointed to continue this work for the period 2018 – 2022.

Commenting on the appointment Dr Goddard said: “Oakmere Solutions has extensive experience and a wide-ranging understanding of heritage projects and initiatives and we are delighted to be able to share this on a national scale through our work with the HLF and its funded projects”.

She went on: “It’s a privilege to work alongside HLF colleagues mentoring and supporting the professionals and volunteers who deliver the huge diversity of HLF funded heritage projects. Developing an idea for a project into a fully worked through, costed and successful application can be a daunting business, particularly for volunteer-led organisations. HLF’s practice of providing additional experienced mentoring for grantees and applicants makes a huge difference by providing ‘critical friend’ support and challenge and sharing best practice to ensure that ‘people and community’ benefits are at the heart of HLF projects.”

For more information about the HLF visit https://www.hlf.org.uk/

2018-02-28T16:53:00.002+00:00

2018: centenary of women’s right to vote.

2018 marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 granted women over 30 with certain property qualifications the right to vote. It would be another 10 years until women are granted the vote on the same terms as men.

Whilst the history of equal rights for women is complex and contested, the importance of Mary Wollstonecraft’s text ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Women’ published in 1792 is generally acknowledged as significant in its powerful articulation of the case for equal rights for women as the emotional and intellectual equals of men. That it then took a further 126 years before the first women got the vote is testament to the power of the status quo.

Understanding this history is important both in terms of why we are here, and in informing our actions in the future. History need not determine the future, but it can inform it.

English Heritage have produced an interesting, short blog with some stunning images to help us learn more about the ‘road to suffrage’. It’s available at https://heritagecalling.com/2018/02/06/how-the-vote-was-won/

Oakmere Director appointed chair of post-16 Area Review steering group

2016-12-07T09:30:00.000+00:00

Oakmere Solutions Director, Dr Peter Funnell has been appointed Independent Chair of the upcoming post-16 Area Review of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Area Reviews are being undertaken nationally to assess the supply of, and demand for post-16 learning. The purpose of an Area Review is to support the establishment of the best institutional structure to offer high quality post-16 learning provision based on the current and future needs of learners and employers within a local area. More specifically, Area Reviews aim to deliver:

· institutions which are financially viable, sustainable, resilient and efficient, and deliver maximum value for public investment;

· a post-16 education and training offer that meets the area’s educational and economic needs;

· post-16 providers with strong reputations and greater specialisation;

· sufficient access to high quality and relevant education and training for all, including 16-19 year olds, adults and learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND);

· Further Education colleges well equipped to respond to the reform and expansion of the apprenticeship programme.

In the Norfolk and Suffolk context the outcomes will form an implementation plan to establish the best depth and breadth of provision for both learners and local businesses.

The work will be led by a steering group, chaired by Dr Funnell and comprising representatives from post-16 education and training providers, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils. The review will begin in December this year and run to March 2017, with a final report published later that year.

Peter has over 25 years’ experience of consultancy and project design, leadership and evaluation in a wide range of sectors. He has enjoyed a distinguished academic career including roles as a FE College Assistant Principal and as Executive Dean of Arts, Business and the Social Sciences, and Director of Enterprise at University Campus Suffolk (now the University of Suffolk). More recently he was the founding Chief Executive of IDEA Ltd, an innovative university/business partnership which aims to establish and deliver a skills escalator from apprenticeships to post-graduate awards for the ICT sector. IDEA was launched by the Prime Minister at BT’s global research centre Adastral Park in 2009. During 2010/11 he was a member of the Prime Ministers Delivery Unit review of national Apprenticeship schemes.

Dr Funnell said: “I was delighted to be approached to undertake the role of Independent Chair for the steering group for the Area Review in Norfolk and Suffolk. The Area Review process is demanding but it also offers real potential to deliver positive benefits to learners and address existing and future skills shortages. I look forward to working with national and local colleagues on this important initiative.”

Chris Starkie, Managing Director of New Anglia LEP, said: “The economy has huge opportunities in terms of growth and we want to make sure that we have the skilled people in place to maximise those opportunities. Colleges are a very important driver for growth and this review will ensure that the provision meets the needs of our young people and employers".

New evaluation commission at Middleport Pottery

2016-06-16T18:34:00.002+01:00

Oakmere Solutions have been appointed by the Princes Regeneration Trust (PRT) to undertake an external summative evaluation of the £9m restoration of Middleport Pottery, the historic home of the world famous Burleigh pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, which is now both a working factory and unique visitor attraction.

Commenting on the appointment Oakmere director Dr Peter Funnell said: "We are delighted to be working with The Princes Regeneration Trust and other partners to both assess the achievements of the restoration against its targets and identify lesson and good practice that can inform and support the heritage sector more widely".

The evaluation will be undertaken over the summer leading to a final report in October 2016.

HLF Chair visits BHI

2016-06-16T18:18:00.000+01:00

Oakmere Solutions clients the British Horological Institute (BHI) were pleased to host a recent visit from Sir Peter Luff, chair of the Heritage Lotter Fund (HLF) to their headquarters, museum and workshop facilities at Upton Hall, Newark to discuss the Institute's proposal to develop a Centre for Horology. The exciting proposal has a particular focus on horological training, including the development of a unique apprenticeship programme. To find out more follow this link.

2016-04-06T16:17:00.000+01:00

Time to move forward for British Horological Institute plan

A team of experts has been assembled to spearhead the creation of a National Centre for Horology at Upton Hall, near Newark.

Last October it was announced that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) had earmarked a £2.8 million grant for the BHI to develop a new centre of excellence to help train the next generation of clock and watchmakers in the UK.

The BHI is the voice of British horology, and promotes the needs and interests of the industry. The BHI also supports study, training and education in horology. It offers courses and examinations that lead to diplomas and widely recognised, accredited qualifications for clock and watchmakers.

The project – known as Saving Time - is the first phase of an £8.5 million masterplan for Upton Hall.

Upton Hall was built in 1832 on the site of an Elizabethan Manor House. Parts of the 17^th century hall still survive today and there is the possibility that this was a reconstruction of the first recorded building on the site in 1335.

Now a team has been appointed to progress plans, produce a fully costed proposal, apply for planning permission, and submit a second round application to the HLF before the earmarked grant can be released.

“I am delighted that we have now appointed a team of experts to support the British Horological Institute as we move into the next phase of making our plans a reality,” said Dudley Giles, chief executive officer of the BHI. “Work on Saving Time is now in full swing.”

The team appointed by the BHI includes Focus Consultants as project manager, bid planner and quantity surveyor, Newark-based Guy Taylor Associates as architects, Newark-based William Saunders as civil and structural engineer, Hertfordshire-based mechanical and electrical engineers SVM and activity planners Oakmere Solutions Ltd, based in Ipswich and Cambridge. Other members include access consultants Jane Toplis Associates, from Bath, fundraising consultants Judith Egerton and Nancy Chambers, from Gloucestershire, and Swinton-based exhibition designer PLB.

“This is the next stage in the process of securing the grant from the HLF,” said Focus partner Kevin Osbon. “Focus and architects Guy Taylor Associates have been involved in the long-term planning of the scheme right from the start and for around three years now, so we’re really pleased to be part of the team going forward, along with a number of other professionals who have expertise in developing exciting and innovative projects like the one being undertaken at Upton Hall.”

The realisation of the masterplan will eventually see the refurbishment of Upton Hall – a Grade II* listed building, which is included in the Heritage at Risk register kept by Historic England.

The BHI priority in the masterplan is training and education. This is to address the UK-wide shortage of horologists by creating new training and workshop facilities, allowing the BHI to double the number of students it trains over the coming years. Reflecting on the training and education opportunities Oakmere Solutions director Dr Peter Funnell said: 'The new facilities established at Upton Hall will form the basis for an extensive and sustainable development of learning in horology (the art, craft and science of timekeeping and timepieces), including new opportunities to develop employer-led craftsperson apprenticeships relevant to the sector'.

The facilities created during Saving Time include new clock and watch workshop spaces in a former stable block and glasshouse adjacent to Upton Hall. Saving Time will also include the refurbishment of the ground floor of the west wing of Upton Hall.

Success for the Suffolk Horse Society archive and collection

2015-04-14T13:28:00.001+01:00

Oakmere Solutions is celebrating the success of client the Suffolk Horse Society in securing a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its project: ‘Tracing the future: exploring the heritage of the Suffolk Punch’. The project will safeguard, catalogue and use the Society’s extensive archive and collection deliver benefits to the heritage (through enhanced recording, safeguarding and interpretation), to people (through enhanced understanding, display and the creation of meaningful volunteering opportunities) and to communities (by building social capital, supporting social cohesion and supporting the Society to become more resilient.

Commenting on the success Oakmere director Dr Peter Funnell said:

“Oakmere Solutions is delighted to have supported this important project proposal. The Suffolk Horse Society’s archive and collection comprises some 22,000 items and has intrinsic heritage value. It provides the historical material, context and focus to generate significant volunteering and learning opportunities. More specifically the project will: reveal, review and effectively catalogue and store the archive and collection; digitise and make selected catalogue items, and the catalogue itself freely available on-line; research, develop learning materials and showcase the archive and collection through the production of two ‘pop up’ exhibitions; offer exciting volunteering opportunities; and, support the long-term sustainability of the archive and collection and the Society as a charity. To achieve its aims the project will work effectively with other heritage agencies and develop key sustainable links with schools, colleges and elders groups.”

The project will run until Spring 2017.

Oakmere Solutions appointed to multi-year evaluation

2014-11-27T16:02:00.000+00:00

Cambridge and Ipswich based heritage consultants Oakmere Solutions Ltd have been appointed to undertake an independent evaluation of the Montagu Monuments Conservation Project.

The Montagu Monuments Conservation Project aims to conserve, and provide greater access to, the internationally significant group of fine marble monuments built to commemorate the lives of members of the Montagu family between the 1750’s and 1840’s, and set in a purpose built chancel at St Edmund’s Church in Warkton, Northamptonshire.

The first two monuments were sculpted by Louis-François Roubiliac (1702-1762), described by the art historian Margaret Whinney as “probably the most accomplished sculptor ever to work in England”.

Over the years the monuments have suffered internal damage and this exciting conservation project, funded by the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust, the Parochial Church Council of St Edmund’s Church, and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will restore and enhance access to the monuments and so deliver benefits for the heritage, people and communities.

The evaluation will be completed in 2016.

New evaluation commissions for Oakmere Solutions

2014-07-28T11:55:00.000+01:00

Suffolk and Cambridge based consultants Oakmere Solutions Ltd have been appointed to undertake three significant multi-year evaluation projects:

‘Unveiling the Hidden Treasures’: St Martin’s of Tours Church, Bilborough, Nottingham. This three year HLF funded project will repair and enhance this mid-14^th century building and will see a step change in the range of uses of the building and increases in visitor numbers, in part due to significantly enhanced and contemporary interpretation;
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings: Maintenance Co-operatives. This £1.2m three year project is a successor to the Faith in Maintenance (FiM) initiative which supported the training and development of volunteers who maintain historic places of worship. FiM won a prestigious Europa Nostra Laureate Award for its work in 2010. Evidence to support the award was derived from evaluation reports produced by Oakmere Solutions Ltd. The Maintenance Co-operative project will build capacity and promote best practice in preventative maintenance, through active networks of local groups or ‘Maintenance Co-operatives’ in five regional areas: Cumbria, North East, Dorset and Somerset, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and Lincolnshire. In these areas the project will offer: support to set-up local Maintenance Co-operatives, free training, online resources, access to professional advice and a sociable network of volunteers to share skills and ideas. Participants will also be invited to the Maintenance Co-operatives conference during National Maintenance Week. The training provided will be free and tailored to meet local needs;
Heritage Lottery Fund: Activity Plan case-studies. HLF has commissioned a series of evaluative case studies drawn from projects nationally and focusing on the process and value of Activity Plans and the associated planning process in developing and implementing HLF funded projects.

Commenting on the appointments Oakmere Director Dr Peter Funnell said:

“Evaluation is an increasingly important element of our portfolio of activities. Continuous and robust evaluation is critical in both supporting improvements during the life of a project and ensuring that the lessons learnt during a project are captured, reflected upon and disseminated”.

Catton Park: exploring options for a sustainable future

2014-01-25T16:49:00.000+00:00

Catton Park is a nationally important space and an area of historic interest located in Old Catton on the outskirts of Norwich. The 70 acre park, which includes extensive woodlands, is managed by the Catton Park Trust Ltd. and is renowned as the first commission undertaken by the celebrated landscape designer Humphrey Repton in the late 18" century.

Recently the Trust received a grant to support the Trust explore options and implement the changes necessary to maintain and enhance the park on a sustainable basis.

The Trust has appointed heritage experts Oakmere Solutions Ltd to work with them and undertake consultations with park users, the park’s Friends Group, the local community, people who would use the park if it had a wider offer, voluntary and community groups and local authorities to assess the parks current offer and its future potential.

As part of the consultation an online survey has been launched and is available at http://www.cattonpark.com/

The Oakmere Solutions team will also be holding a public meeting to discuss the future of the park on Thursday 30 January 2014, 12 - 2pm in Hayman Lodge, Catton Park.

Explaining their work Oakmere Solutions Director, Dr Sharon Goddard said:

"Across the UK many parks and other major heritage sites are assessing what they offer now and how they can continue to effectively serve their communities in the future. The Catton Park Trust, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, has taken a proactive approach to addressing the challenges of its future and we are delighted to be working with them to identify ways forward which are sustainable, meet the diverse requirements of local people and respects the significant heritage of the site. Collecting the views of local people is a key element of this work."

Judy Leggett, Chair, Catton Park Trust, said:

“I am so grateful that we have been awarded this grant. This will help us to ensure that the good work, which restored agricultural land to the lovely Park it is today, will continue for the benefit of current and future users. This grant is not to pay for the running costs of the Park, but to investigate and implement ways the park’s future can be secured”.

New commissions for 2014

2013-12-23T15:28:00.000+00:00

Oakmere Solutions is delighted to announce two new commissions for 2014 which build on our reputation for delivering high quality consultancy services to the heritage sector.

Catton Park Trust has appointed Oakmere Solutions to undertake a strategic review to support it establish appropriate structures, systems and processes to make the park and its heritage sustainable, and develop an operational plan which promotes operational effectiveness, income generation and enhanced volunteering. The 70 acre park is a nationally important space and an area of historic interest located on the outskirts of Norwich, Norfolk. The park, which comprises
an open wild flower meadow fringed on three sides by mixed woodland, is of particular significance as it was the first commission of the famous landscape architect Humphry Repton.

The Benington Community Heritage Trust has commissioned Oakmere Solutions to produce a set of detailed and coherent business, activity and interpretation plans for the Beonna, a proposed community and events centre located at All Saints, Benington, Lincolnshire. The plans will support a Round 2 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund and will establish the business case for investment, identify priority income generation and expenditure streams and identify and prioritise target audiences, activities and opportunities.

Work on these two exciting projects will commence in January.

Coalhouse Fort Park receives HLF funding boost

2013-12-19T17:23:00.000+00:00

Coalhouse Fort and surrounding parkland in East Tilbury, Essex is set for a major boost with improved visitor facilities and ambitious plans to encourage more community involvement and educational opportunities.

The project has been made possible by a grant of £790,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and is supported by £110,000 from the Veolia North Thames Trust.

The Victorian coastal fort is owned by Thurrock Council and run entirely by volunteers. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and stands in a park with impressive natural heritage credentials.

Currently offering only restricted opening hours the fort will benefit from a new café and visitor information space in a converted generator building. Access improvements to two further rooms within the fort will provide space for activity and education programmes and also draw on nearby heritage such as the Bata conservation area in East Tilbury and the Grade I listed St Catherine’s Church. The grant also covers the cost of employing an education officer and a community development officer for more than two years.
Oakmere Solutions were pleased to support activity planning for the proposal to the HLF and develop an education strategy for the project.

The fort is currently listed on English Heritage’s ‘At Risk’ register and the project aims to tackle this, not only by physical improvements, but by mobilising community and volunteer interest to secure its future.

Robyn Llewellyn, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: “We are delighted to make this significant award. The historic fort, once part of our 19th-century military defence of the Thames, is now part of a wonderful riverside park. This fascinating project will work with the local community to help people learn more about the building’s past.”

Dr Sharon Goddard, Director at Oakmere Solutions said: “This is a wonderful outcome and reflects the historic importance of the fort and its significant heritage and educational value. The Oakmere team are delighted to have contributed to the success of this important initiative”

Dedicated web site for football archive project goes live

2013-12-15T18:51:00.001+00:00

The successful HLF funded Ipswich Town Football Archive project now has a dedicated web site.

The project ran from January 2012 to September 2013 and catalogued and used the Ipswich Town Football Club's (ITFC) unique collection of football artefacts, programmes, trophies, historic documents, visual images, audio recordings and other memorabilia as a source of inspiration for learning and engagement.

Many of the outcomes of the project are freely available on-line. They provide a rich resource for those interested in learning more about the history and heritage of ITFC and its engagement with, and impact on Ipswich, Suffolk and the wider region.

Importantly the project has also brokered a strategy for sustainability whereby the ITFC Supporters Club (the official supporters club and local, national and international network) will actively contribute to the management, use and updating of the project web presence so ensuring that the work initiated through the project continues through structured volunteer activity.

To visit the site go to: www.itfcarchive.com

Oakmere Solutions delighted to be advising on the future of the Clare Castle Country Park

2013-11-19T18:43:00.000+00:00

Oakmere Solutions is delighted to be part of a specialist team advising on the future of the Clare Castle Country Park in Suffolk.

Situated to the south of the picturesque, historic town of Clare, just two minutes’ walk from the town centre, Clare Castle Country Park is unique in having the remains of a closed Victorian railway station located within the grounds of what was once a Norman Motte and Bailey castle.

The total landholding of the park is 13.2 hectares. There are significant areas of open water within the park and the river Stour runs along its southern boundary. The country park is a well visited local recreation facility and popular with visitors. Every year approximately 180,000 visitors enjoy the park for informal recreation and for its heritage and wildlife interest.

Archives available for Explore Archives week

2013-11-19T18:40:00.002+00:00

Two nationally important archives are now better known, catalogued and used following work led by Oakmere Solutions.

The Hudd Music Hall Archive project ran from September 2011 to September 2013 and is available at http://www.suffolk.ac.uk/hudd_music_hall_archive.

The Ipswich Town Football Archive project ran from January 2012 to September 2013 and is available at http://www.itfccharitabletrust.org.uk/football-archive.

Oakmere Solutions announces the completion of two outstanding archive projects

2013-11-05T14:20:00.000+00:00

Two nationally important archives are now better known, catalogued and used following work managed by Oakmere Solutions.

The Hudd Music Hall Archive project ran between September 2011 – September 2013. The project’s aim was to investigate, catalogue and make available the archive and to engage local people in bringing it to life. The project which was generously supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund was directed by Suffolk New College, and managed by Oakmere Solutions Ltd heritage consultancy. The Hudd Music Hall Archive has been collected over 50 years by renowned comedian and entertainer Roy Hudd. The archive is a collection of song sheets, posters, monologues, photographs and ephemera that tells the story of Music Hall and Variety in the United Kingdom.

For more information about the project visit: http://www.suffolk.ac.uk/hudd_music_hall_archive and http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/ExcitementatlaunchofHuddMusicHallArchiveExhibition.aspx

The Ipswich Town Football Archive project ran from January 2012 to September 2013. Following a period of volunteer recruitment and cataloguing the project was formally launched on 18 August 2012 at the Town’s home game against Blackburn Rovers, followed by a subsequent first ‘call for contributions’ from Town supporters in September.

The project, was directed by the ITFC Charitable Trust, managed by Oakmere Solutions Ltd and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). It has catalogued and used the Ipswich Town Football Club's (ITFC) unique collection of football artefacts, programmes, trophies, historic documents, visual images, audio recordings and other memorabilia as a source of inspiration. In particular it has supported the Trust develop a strategy for using the heritage of the Club to produce new teaching approaches and materials for its programmes and learning initiatives, for example in numeracy and literacy where the stories that surround items from the archive offer a strong and exciting motivation to learn. The project has also captured oral histories on topics and themes thrown up by the archive, researched local history and staged exhibitions of items from the archive.

Much of the outcomes of the project are freely available on-line at http://www.itfccharitabletrust.org.uk/football-archive. They provide a rich resource for those interested in learning more about the history and heritage of ITFC and its engagement with, and impact on Ipswich, Suffolk and the wider region.

For more information visit: http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/IpswichTownFootballArchiveprojectavailableon-line.aspx and http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/22990/portman-road-hosts-dementia-initiative/?scrollto=post194002

Volunteer strategy commission for Oakmere Solutions

2013-08-19T17:22:00.000+01:00

Oakmere Solutions Ltd, the Suffolk and Cambridge based consultancy are delighted to announce a new commission from Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council building on successful earlier work to support a Round 1 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund aimed at significantly enhancing access to the historic Town Hall which dates from 1421, its collections and archive. The new work will develop a volunteering strategy for the heritage assets of the town working with key partners and stakeholders. Oakmere Director Dr Sharon Goddard said:

“Like so many places in the UK Kings Lynn has a rich heritage which is supported by active volunteers. This includes the historic Town Hall which HM the Queen used to launch her Jubilee celebrations in 2012. Through our work we hope to build on current practice and develop new relationships and ways of working resulting in a new coordinated and collaborative model which will both better preserve the heritage and offer new and enhanced opportunities for people”.

The consultancy will run throughout the late summer and early autumn.

Oakmere Solutions welcomes new interns

2013-08-08T15:15:00.000+01:00

Oakmere Solutions Ltd are delighted to welcome two interns joining us from the University East Anglia to support work on the HLF funded Hudd Music Hall archive project. Simon Whyard is a graduate in Music & Technology and will be supporting us to research and prepare audio visual material for the Hudd Music Hall Archive exhibition. Charlotte Marriott is a graduate in Art History and will be focusing on research for local stories and preparing children's activities for the Hudd Music Hall Archive exhibition. The interns, generously sponsored by the Ashard Webb bequest will be based in Ipswich and Norwich. During their internship they will also be undertaking evaluation and other project work.

The Hudd Music Hall exhibition opens on Wednesday 14 August at the Ipswich Town Hall and will run until Saturday 31 August, after which it will tour.

Hudd Music Hall Archive Exhibition

2013-07-11T17:30:00.004+01:00

Two years leading this fascinating project is reaching its culmination with an exhibition. Its been a joy to work with inspirational volunteers to put this together and very exciting to open up the Archive collected over 50 years by the Suffolk based actor and comedian Roy Hudd. Its a intriguing insight into the magic of the Music Hall, featuring a selection which includes original song sheets with their elaborately decorated covers, posters advertising extraordinary acts, programmes and other memorabilia. There are original film clips and songs and activities for children.

The exhibition runs from 14 - 31 August 2013 in the Gallery 1 café area and continues in Conference Room 2 of Ipswich Town Hall.

Oakmere Director named as one of the Suffolk economy's top 100 influencers.

2013-06-24T10:19:00.000+01:00

Oakmere Director Dr Peter Funnell has been recognised as one of the Suffolk economy's top business influencers by the media company Archant in its listing of the 'Suffolk 100'. Archant describe the listing as "a celebration of the county's business influencers, their achievements and contributions to the success (of Suffolk)". They add: "We have much to celebrate in Suffolk - our diverse and robust economy has proved resilient throughout the worst recession for decades, thanks to the talents and hard work of people who run enterprises and care enough to make a difference".

This was the second listing of its kind by Archant and Dr Funnell also featured in the first listing in 2010. The 2013 citation recognises his "long-standing and varied" contribution to Suffolk, his previous academic and research career and his current roles as a Director of Oakmere Solutions Ltd, President of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and other Board level positions including Chair of Eastern Angles Theatre Company and co-opted member of the Council of the Suffolk Agricultural Association.

6 May 2013

2013-05-06T14:27:00.000+01:00

Fantastic news that the Churches Conservation Trust and the local Friends Group have been successful in their Round 2 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for urgent conservation and repair works to the medieval Grade 1 listed St Nicholas’ Chapel in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. The HLF award is for just over £2.3m and this will be supported by £210,000 of matched funding. Alongside conservation and repair the HLF grant will support improved interpretation, the recruitment and training of new volunteers and a wide range of new activities and services for heritage appreciators and the local community. Oakmere Solutions is delighted to have supported the application through integrated activity planning and business planning consultancy. Further information is available at http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/Aboutus/Latestnews/2013-04-12/St-Nicholas-Chapel-Kings-Lynn-gets-the-green-light/ and http://www.stnicholaskingslynn.org.uk/press-release-april2013.html

17 February 2013

2013-02-17T10:31:00.001+00:00

Oakmere Solutions appointed Strategic Heritage Advisor to the University East Anglia.

Oakmere Solutions is delighted to announce its appointment as Strategic Heritage Advisor to the University East Anglia (UEA) based in Norwich and London. Oakmere Solutions, Professor John Charmley and colleagues at the UEA have been working collaboratively on a number of heritage projects and Oakmere director, Dr Peter Funnell is a member of the Centre of East Anglian Studies advisory board at the university.

Commenting on the appointment Dr Peter Funnell said:

“This appointment will extend and enhance our current work with colleagues at UEA and will support new and innovative heritage focused initiatives in the future. As an example, a number of new internships will be established in the summer to support nationally significant heritage projects such as the Hudd Musical Hall Archive”.