I was absolutely disgusted to read the decision regarding the Arts Councils Major Funding awards - Museums Sheffield is a wonderful organisation and this decision will affect the entire population on Sheffield.

I would like to ask one question - has John Mothersole done anything to support the Trust - there was no mention of a comment from him. Has he contacted the Trust to ask them what he can do to support them to make their case for culture in Sheffield. Get your finger out John - step up and get behind them - a decline in the service will be a devastating blow to the economy of Sheffield. Have you not seen their visitor numbers or acknowledged what they have done to enhance the visitor experience in Sheffield. Do what you are paid to do contact the Arts Council and fight for what the people of Sheffield love. It would be wonderful to see you step up and show a united front - get your face on the press coverage and show everyone that the wages we are paying you aren't going to waste.

Lets see what response this gets.

A Very Concerned Resident of the Sheffield Area

Personally I've found the museums disappointing. I didn't like the way they dumbed down Weston Park and I'm staggered that Kelham Island is closed on a Saturday.

One of the many many few who do - Sheffield are proud of our museums - and looking at the web-site Kelham doesn't belong to Museums Sheffield its a different Trust altogether - take a look for yourself :0)

Weston Park is hopeless. loads of wasted space, just a large under-resourced crèche

Aww shame to hear people say that Weston Park museum is rubbish because on the couple of occasions I have visited with my kids it was great !!!!

There was an interactive bug exhibit, a chance for kids to dress up from the victorian times,allsorts of interesting facts about the past and all touchy feely things that kids love. Maybe I went to a different museum to the rest of you?????

The Heritage Museum on Ecclesall Road -as I have mentioned on another thread-has sadly closed down due to asbestos problems.At the moment I am trying to find an alternative location for the artefacts from there.The Weston Park museum are uninterested even though there is so much space in there.Other options are being looked into.The items in the museum are a great part of Sheffield history-as is Kelham Island-so hopefully some solution will be found.

Would it be possible to use empty retail space in Town for exhibits from the Heritage Museum? It's such a lovely collection; it would be so nice if it could be seen (and re-visited) again.

Aww shame to hear people say that Weston Park museum is rubbish because on the couple of occasions I have visited with my kids it was great !!!!

There was an interactive bug exhibit, a chance for kids to dress up from the victorian times,allsorts of interesting facts about the past and all touchy feely things that kids love. Maybe I went to a different museum to the rest of you?????

But if you're not looking for something to entertain the kids, it's not good. I think that was the point being made.

One of the many many few who do

"many many few"? That doesn't make sense.

Last time I visited Weston Park museum it resembled an indoor playground. Probably will never go again.

But if you're not looking for something to entertain the kids, it's not good. I think that was the point being made.
Agree, there are plenty places to entertain kids other then museums. Sadly Many museums have dumbed down and target these groups so I just dont go.

I think people are missing the point of why Museums have "dumbed down" as people may think, because if these museums weren't made child friendly and interactive and appealing to all ages then they would die out and it would be a shame for children in this day and age of technology and TV to miss out on a bit of fun learning. A museum can be all this without turning into a playground which I have never experienced at Weston Park. Maybe I need to go again soon to see if it has changed.

Museums Sheffield is not just Weston Park! Do not forget Millenium Gallery and Graves. Both of these venues give people a lot of pleasure. I suspect that the 'vocal majority' of this city will be the first to moan when all the activities are gone. BE POSITIVE, support the campaign before it is too late.

I agree valkyrie, we have some great venues in Sheffield we should be proud of.

I think people are missing the point of why Museums have "dumbed down" as people may think, because if these museums weren't made child friendly and interactive and appealing to all ages then they would die out and it would be a shame for children in this day and age of technology and TV to miss out on a bit of fun learning. A museum can be all this without turning into a playground which I have never experienced at Weston Park. Maybe I need to go again soon to see if it has changed.

They're not appealing to all ages though. They're appealing to people who want to take their kids to a fun park. Your kids may love Weston Park but many other people don't like it. When I've been it has been like a playground with kids running around and screaming at each other. Sorry, I don't think that's appropriate in a museum and I certainly have no interest in going again.

They're not appealing to all ages though. They're appealing to people who want to take their kids to a fun park. Your kids may love Weston Park but many other people don't like it. When I've been it has been like a playground with kids running around and screaming at each other. Sorry, I don't think that's appropriate in a museum and I certainly have no interest in going again.

My feelings as well, applies to most museums now sadly.

Museums Sheffield is not just Weston Park! Do not forget Millenium Gallery and Graves. Both of these venues give people a lot of pleasure. I suspect that the 'vocal majority' of this city will be the first to moan when all the activities are gone. BE POSITIVE, support the campaign before it is too late.

I am positive and do support the Museums of Sheffield. The recently refurbished Weston Park was not for me, that is all. However, I did make a donation on exit, same as I do when visiting any of the other Museums and Gallery's.

I think people are missing the point of why Museums have "dumbed down" as people may think, because if these museums weren't made child friendly and interactive and appealing to all ages then they would die out and it would be a shame for children in this day and age of technology and TV to miss out on a bit of fun learning.

Not true. Look at the Natural History Museum's of Manchester and Liverpool, MSI Manchester. They've retained their old style and are as popular as ever.

The new waterfront Museum of Liverpool Life has done a mix of the old and the new.

My daughter likes to visit them and she always asks to return to the museum in Manchester "with the animals" and "the one with the aeroplanes" and the "one in Liverpool" but she never asks to go back to the one in Sheffield.

Weston Park is child focussed, but it was a such a shabby affair before the refurbishment. I would guess that being aimed at children increases the visitor numbers - kids are likely to want to go to the museum more often in a year than adults. Each of those visits could potentially generate revenue from donations, the shop, cafe etc. It is worth noting that the museums also offer far more than the fixed exhibits - classes, groups, courses, events etc.
It is a shame that the exhibits from the Heritage Museum can't be housed in Weston Park, it would seem a logical fit with exisiting displays, and would definitely improve them. The Heritage Museum was a real treasure, it would be a real shame to lose it.

The Heritage Museum was a real treasure, it would be a real shame to lose it.
Hopefully the artefacts will be moved-as I said earlier.

How many of the 1.2million visitors are those who use the Millenium Gallery as a walk through to town???

Personally I've found the museums disappointing. I didn't like the way they dumbed down Weston Park and I'm staggered that Kelham Island is closed on a Saturday.

Am I right in thinking Kelham Island is SIMT, and separate to Weston Park?

Anyway I agree - the fact that Kelham Island is closed on a Saturday is daft.

With regards to Weston Park, it is nice but nothing amazing. Too many staff. I like the comment this week that they will have to cut jobs in half, but everything will stay open. Quite sickening to discover they are trying to claw back the money they didn't earn - to pay for jobs they don't need.