Hi everyone,

There has been a lot going on over the past few weeks. I helped out with my first wedding ceremony 2 weeks ago which was really exciting. I helped set up for the ceremony doing checks on technical equipment and greeted the guests, showing them where to go. I was even given the responsibility to help prompt the bride on the right time to enter into the room!

I’ve also had a lot of training over the past few weeks, but not all of it was conventional as the normal health and safety training. I was trained how to handle some exotic bugs! The museum have brought in 6 species of bugs from Blackpool Zoo, so we now have; Giant African Land Snails, Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches, Deaths Head Cockroaches, Desert locusts, Indian Green Stick Insects and African Sun Beetles! I’m afraid to say I only managed to hold 3 of the insects as I’m a bit of a wimp!  They are on display in the Borders Gallery and we are soon going to be having handling sessions with the public so they definitely worth a visit!

I also recently I went alongside my fellow apprentice Katie to visit the other museums within the CMC to see how Tullie House and the other museums differ. I visited Blackwell House, Abbot Hall and the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry. They were all really good, my favourite being the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry as it had a street in it representing how the shops would have looked in the olden days as well as a typical living room and bedroom layout. It was something different to see!

I better get back to work, don’t forget to come see the exotic bugs next time you’re passing!

African Sun Beetle

Desert Locust

         

Since my last update my timetable has become very full! There’s never a dull moment! 

I am currently busy helping put together this years Summer Fayre. I won’t give away what’s going to be happening on the day, I’ll just say it’s going to be great fun and you’ll definitely miss out if you don’t go!

As well as the Summer Fayre, I have been taught lots of new skills regarding events organisation, such as how to make room bookings on the computer systems here. I also got the opportunity to help set up the Function Room in the style of a Wedding in preparation for a photo shoot, which was really exciting! I have had a glimpse at the pictures and they look lovely.

On top of this I have been cracking on with my NVQ work and Arts Award. I have made a good start so far and my Arts Award folder is starting to take shape! The theme I have chosen for my Arts Award is Fashion as it is something I am really interested in. As part of my work I have to choose an Arts Hero or Heroine so since my theme is fashion I decided to look at Kate Plumtree whose outfit designs are inspired by Britain’s nature. I love how her creations are so original, they are just totally fascinating.From the 28th June her collection will be on display here in Tullie House and I can’t wait to see it!

Anyway it’s back to work for me, keep an eye out for my next post!

Claire Bell

Apprentice

Well it is fair to say I am now well and truly settled in here at Tullie House. I have now been here for over a month and I have loved every moment of it! The amount of opportunities I have had has been amazing and people are always willing to offer me more which is great.

Over the past month I have been learning lots of new things, like how to set up rooms for events, meetings and weddings as well as how to provide reception services. I loved helping set up for the wedding because once the room was completed it look beautiful and I know I have played a small part in helping to make someone’s big day special! I have also been tasked to help with up-coming events and projects so I am really excited to see how they turn out.

My NVQ work is also starting to creep in and I have been set my first written assessment which relates to providing reception services. I am planning to get this done as soon as possible so it is not a last minute rush! On top of my NVQ work I have recently started the Arts Award project too where, I am aiming to achieve a Bronze level. The Arts Award is a nationally recognised qualification and encourages children and young people to develop their artistic abilities. This will be an extra qualification and I thought it would be a great opportunity to take advantage of while I am here!

I think it is clear to see that my schedule is slowly but surely starting to fill up!

Here is a picture of me with my fellow apprentices Katie & Cassie.

My name is Claire Bell and I am one of the newest members of the Tullie House team! The title of my new role at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust is the Public Programming Assistant Apprentice.

My role entails various different duties, from working at the front desk helping with admissions and greeting visitors to being involved in the administrative side of the business.

I am currently in my second week here and already feel as though I have learnt so much and met so many lovely people! Prior to starting my apprenticeship I was unaware of the vast amount of staff who work behind the scenes here and I must say it has been a challenge to remember everyone's names!  But thankfully everyone has made me feel very welcome and have been nice enough to show me their roles within Tullie House.

So far my favourite activity was having a tour around the stores! Despite Tullie House having a huge variety of items on display, you don’t realise that the majority of artefacts are kept locked away in the stores of the museum! I was able to see items from various collections which were all very exciting! My favourite items were the clothing and old items from the home. Within the clothing section they had outfits which had been worn, in some cases hundreds of years ago and all were absolutely fascinating! Likewise in the home section there were several interesting items such as vintage TV’s, irons and other domestic items used several years ago! I loved seeing how modern day items have been influenced and developed over hundreds of years from very basic ideas!

Despite having learnt a lot in the past two weeks, I’m really looking forward to learning a whole lot more over the next year!