Ramsey Rural Museum

Ramsey Rural Museum (charity no. 1182116) is currently recruiting Trustees to join its governing Board.

The Board of Trustees is currently finalising a new forward plan for the museum and seeks to appoint new Board members to help the museum grow and realise its vision. The current Chairman and Treasurer have successfully served on the Board for several years and are planning to step away from these roles as they reach the end of their terms, the Museum is therefore keen to recruit to these positions to ensure a smooth handover:

• Chair of Trustees
• Honorary Treasurer

These are voluntary roles. Experience of working in a similar committee or charity may be useful, but is not essential. An interest in our collections, museums or rural/agricultural life is desirable.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and utilise your skills to help run a successful small independent fully accredited museum and take part in shaping its future development.

Please read the supporting documents for more information about the roles.

About the Museum

Ramsey Rural Museum is an Accredited independent museum located in the growing market town of Ramsey in Cambridgeshire. We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered with the Charity Commission, number 1182116. Ramsey Museum is a volunteer run museum with a small and dedicated team of friendly volunteers who support the day to day running of the museum and its site, manage the reception and shop area and staff the café. They are also working hard on the collections and support the behind-the-scenes administration of the museum. We are currently looking to recruit new volunteers and would wish to diversify our team and attract younger people who can gain work experience and learn valuable skills with us. We value diversity and we are committed to equal opportunities.

The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees. We can have a maximum of nine trustees on the Board.

We have multiple display areas showing the museum’s collections of historical objects and farm machinery in historic buildings. We have an extensive collection of agricultural objects from small hand tools to wagons and tractors. Our Museum represents local trades and jobs done by local people, for example the old chemist and cobbler’s shops. We also represent the military and civilian services that have been prominent in local life in Ramsey, we even have a spy story to tell. We tell stories of childhood and school and of life in a farm cottage. Ramsey was the site of a large and important medieval Abbey which has left traces, and we also have some archaeological finds displayed. For more details, please visit our website: https://ramseyruralmuseum.co.uk/museum-collection/

Our Mission

The role of the Museum is to help in the advancement of the education of the local community by promoting the understanding and appreciation of the history and heritage of the Fenland area. This will be achieved by maintaining and enhancing a collection of items relating to Huntingdonshire in the town of Ramsey.

Our main priorities are:

• Working to renew the lease for the land and for the buildings of the Museum.
• Improving the facilities for visitors, volunteers and collections.
• Maintaining the financial stability of the Museum by developing and diversifying sources of income.
• Ensuring that the stories of Ramsey are told in inspiring and creative ways by careful acquisition, restoration and exhibition of items that have a close connection with the social, domestic, craft, trade, industry, agriculture and rural history in Ramsey and the surrounding villages.

About the Board

The trustees meet approximately 5 times a year on a weekday evening. Currently the board has seven active members. To find out more about the role and responsibilities of Trustees please see the individual role descriptions. You may also like to look at The Essential Trustee Guide from the Charity Commission. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3

Expressions of Interest

You are invited to apply in confidence by sending you CV, with a covering letter telling us why you want to be a trustee, how you feel you can contribute and match the skills we are seeking. Please ensure you are eligible to be a trustee under the Charity Commission’s rules and guidelines Charity trustee: what’s involved (CC3a) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please visit our website to find out more or come and have a visit. If you would like to have an informal chat or submit an application please email Zara Matthews at [email protected]

Deadline for applications: 31 December 2024.