Become a volunteer to work with the Heritage Team at Barnstaple Town Council as part of the Collections Care Team. This role would involve assisting with the care and conservation of all items in the Barnstaple Town Council collection of artefacts, including the buildings themselves. Learning how to handle and clean artefacts, as well as monitoring the conditions within which they are stored.
Tasks vary depending on the type of activity/event. Working with the Heritage Team, typical tasks include:
- Cleaning of artefacts, using appropriate equipment and materials, wearing relevant PPE where necessary
- Monitoring items for signs of wear or decay, condition checking artefacts before and after use for exhibitions or events
- Monitoring environmental conditions of storage and display areas, checking for humidity, temperature and light levels – e.g. taking meter readings, using silica gel in cabinets, checking for pests
Documentation of artefacts – recording all conditions, changes, movements, acquisitions, disposals, loans etc