49th British Association of Friends of Museums Conference and AGM

BAFM 49th AGM – Michael Richardson of Aberdeen Art Gallery

From 30th Sept to 2nd October 2022 members of BAFM were in Dundee to attend the latest BAFM Conference, hosted by Dundee Heritage Trust.The theme, ‘Resilience; Growing and maintaining Friends in Changing times’ , was especially relevant as we emerge from the nightmare of the Covid Pandemic.

Members of BAFM assembled in Dundee on Friday 30th September at Discovery Point, the home of the RRS Discovery, the ship carried the crew of Captain Scott on his first expedition to Antarctica. Keynote speakers included Leonie Bell from V & A Dundee and Deidre Robertson CEO of the Dundee Heritage Trust. There followed a lively debate on the respective merits of a Membership Scheme, which the V & A operates in Dundee and the traditional Friends Group to which our members belong. There were several other speakers, some of whom have been asked to produce articles for the March 2023 edition of the Journal. The day concluded with the Annual General Meeting at which Dan Calley thanked our hosts for all their efforts in helping to deliver such an interesting Conference.

However, as many of you know, the social side of the Conference weekend is just as important as the formal Conference Day. Obviously, being in Scotland, we had to have a piper entertaining us, which he did whilst the drinks reception took place onboard the Discovery. This was followed by a delicious meal featuring Scottish delicacies such as Haggis and Neeps! (Since I’m very partial to Haggis, this was a real treat)
With delegates from London, Derby, Doncaster, Swansea, and Reading, as well as more locally, the event was a great success despite rail strikes which meant extraordinary efforts being required by delegates and speakers to enable them to attend. Alistair Todd of Dundee Heritage Trust and his team from The Dundee Heritage Trust are to be congratulated on delivering such a successful event. Our thanks go to Kate Kuhn, our Conference Organiser for all her efforts in pulling the programme together.
There will be a much more detailed report in the next Journal, written by Alistair; in the meantime, pencil in the date of 30th September 2023 for the 5oth BAFM Conference and AGM, due to be held in Doncaster.

David Adgar FRSA