Dear Friends and Colleagues
This Easter, after 6 amazing years at The Keep, I will be moving on to pastures new. In recent weeks the trustees have been busy recruiting my successor and there will be an exciting announcement about this is due course.
I joined the museum in September 2015, attracted to the job by the wonderful historic building and superb collections; even though I was no military historian, it was clear how important this place was to Cornwall and its heritage. I was also attracted by the fact that I could bring my dog Spingo to work with me and he has enjoyed his time here just as much as I have!
So much has happened in the past 6 years! We now have a brilliant team of professional staff, as well as many wonderful volunteers. We have more than tripled our visitor numbers and offer a busy programme of events for people of all ages throughout the year. We are now a member of Cornwall Museums Partnership, a consortium of the County’s leading museums, and we’re recognised for the quality of our work. Despite the fact that two of my 6 years at The Keep have been blighted by Covid-19, we have come through this difficult time with flying colours, and have done a huge amount of digital work in the process.
Among my most memorable experiences at The Keep was The Trench project which we did in 2018. This was an ambitious, sell-out immersive theatre show and exhibition which earned us a 4-star review in The Sunday Times. Other less dramatic but equally rewarding memories are mostly connected to our work with schools and young people, including those facing great life challenges and living with disabilities; their enjoyment of the museum is what we’re all about!
My successor will be focusing on taking forward the museum’s ambitious capital plans which will enable us to remain at the Keep beyond the end of MOD support in March 2030. These plans will see the Keep made accessible for many more visitors, and exciting new galleries produced which will bring its stories vividly to life as part of a compelling visitor experience. I will be watching the progress with interest and offering my support wherever I can.
Very best wishes,
Mary Godwin, Director