Summary of a meeting of the Trustees held at 4.30pm on 1st September 2025
at Burnby Hall
Committee reports
Museum Creation
The lease of Burnby Hall from East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) to Pocklington Town Council (PTC) had been
signed by PTC but had not been returned from ERYC. A Deed of Consent, regarding previous covenants, was still to
be signed by the Gardens Trust.
Once the lease to PTC was completed, PTC would then lease to the Pocklington Community Trust (PCT). The Trust
would then provide a lease for PDHT.
Work on museum accreditation could not begin until there was an address for the museum.
The roof at Burnby Hall was leaking around the lantern window. PTC had applied for a grant towards this cost which
was expected to be £25,000. Whilst the roof was being repaired access to that part of the building would not be
possible.
Collection Management and Research
The collections policy manual was progressing well.
It had been suggested that PDHT should have a person with special status to work with the Portable Antiquities
Scheme. They would have access to more detailed information than the general public about finds. This was to be
investigated.
Finance and Fund-raising
The Treasurer circulated copies of the most recent accounts.
There had been meetings with consultants and members of Pocklington Town Council (PTC) and Pocklington
Community Trust (PCT).
From the initial discussions it seemed the way forward seemed to be a Heritage Lottery bid, from the three
organisations in partnership, with PTC taking the lead.
Restoring the conservatory and converting the cellars into archive space would be major costs.
PTC and PCT had concerns about how a partnership bid would work and had asked for more information from PDHT.
A proposal was being put together.
An alternative to a joint bid was for PDHT to put in an independent bid for the development of the museum.
The museum cannot be started in advance of approval of lottery funding. However, the travelling museum could be
used.
Education, Events and Public Engagement
The following were planned:
a talk to the residents at Rogerson Court,
a stall at Fangfest, a 2-day event,
a talk to the Pocklington U3A archaeology group,
2 walks as part of the East Riding Walking Festival
a talk at Sheffield and some of the travelling museum to be there,
a music event at Nunburnholme Church on 21 st November.
A separate planning meeting would be held for the Heritage Festival in November. Expenses of face paints and Lego
were agreed for the family day. Tickets would be available via Eventbrite.
Posters were to be designed and it was agreed to have 2 banners printed.
Facility and Volunteer Administration, Governance and Audit
It was suggested that the recruitment of volunteers should start at the Heritage Festival.
A page about volunteering would be put on the website when it was moved to a new platform later in the year.
Marketing and Communications
The newsletter was nearly ready to go out. It was agreed it should include an appeal for volunteers.
