2025 was a very busy and successful year for Bilsthorpe’s Museum, thanks to their volunteers, supporters and visitors. Among the highlights was hosting ‘Mining for Stories’ and ‘Mining and Music’ during which Bilsthorpe Scouts and Thorsby Colliery Band joined them for a day celebrating mining communities and their heritage.
Their visitor numbers increased by 23% over 2024, due largely to an increase in school; college and group visits. The most heard comment on entering the museum, was: “Wow, I wasn’t expecting this.” Volunteers also visited schools; colleges and interest groups to give talks on Bilsthorpe community life and mining, as well as attending various outdoor events such as the Teversal Step Back in Time. They also received an invitation to the first Sherwood Forest Moot in a century, part of their ongoing work to secure links with the Forest and its history.
Their fundraising coffee mornings and rummage sale were very well supported and raised funds vital for keeping the museum running. They are entirely volunteer-run and rely on these events and donations. So, a big thank you to everyone who supported them. They look forward to seeing you again this year. Dates will be posted on the Museum’s Facebook page.
The Wellbeing Walks have increased in popularity, with Boris being the star of every walk and luring the other dogs into mischief. The walks will be held on the last Friday of every month again in 2026, starting out from the museum at 10.00am and returning for a hot drink and biscuits afterwards. Don’t forget, well behaved dogs are welcome, Boris being the exception!
Their Miners’ Memorial will really show off the hard work and dedication of Bob and Ann, who have given it a facelift, this spring and summer. They can’t wait for the new bulbs to bloom and to enjoy planned planting of wildlife friendly flowers and shrubs. The Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum team celebrated at the end of the year with a Nottinghamshire Tourism Silver Award and a ‘Next Level’ Highly Commended after their case study at the MDM Power of Place event in Birmingham. They are also finalists in this year’s Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards and are hoping to hear whether they have made the finals of the Museums and Heritage Awards this year.
Find them on Facebook and Instagram, visit their website: http://www.bilsthorpemuseum.co.uk or email bilsthorpe_heritage@yahoo.com.