The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft 'Trolleybuses of the Humber' Film

Project Description
This grant funded project aimed to share stories of using and working on the trolleybus networks of Hull, Cleethorpes and Grimsby. It included recording oral histories, through partnership work with the Carnegie Centre, Hull and Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre. These were included in the new exhibition that opened in July 2022, along with costume, graphics and new diorama models. The Trolleybus Museum worked with an accessibility specialist and consulted with users to ensure an accessible visiting experience. Dave Chick from The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft shares how they delivered the project and the lessons learnt as well as its positive impact for visitors.
Project Background
The project aimed to install a permanent exhibition telling the story of the time when trolleybuses formed the main type of public transport in Grimsby and Cleethorpes (Lincolnshire’s only trolleybus systems) and Hull. The Museum has two Grimsby-Cleethorpes trolleybuses in its collection, but no Hull trolleybuses survive anywhere, and the exhibition will help to fill this gap.
The exhibition examines why trolleybuses were chosen to replace trams by all three municipalities, how the trolleybus systems were developed, and why the trolleybuses were ultimately replaced. It also tells the stories of the jobs needed to keep the trolleybuses running, the people who did them and women’s roles in wartime, as well as stories from people who travelled to work and leisure by trolleybus. The oral history project brings these stories to life.
The Museum regularly attracts visitors who have learning disabilities or who are on the autistic spectrum, many of whom attend very regularly. The exhibition aims to be inclusive and to enhance the experience of visiting the Trolleybus Museum for these visitors and will help us to improve other aspects of the Museum’s operation for them.
Visit - sandtoft.org/wp/
Humber Museums Partnership Small Grants Scheme
The Small Grants Scheme had a £40,000 fund to allocate to independent museums and heritage organisations within the Humber region. We provided grants to eight different organisations in Autumn 2021 to deliver projects over up to 12 months. The Grants were funded from our Arts Council England National Portfolio partnership to support engagement with communities around the amazing hidden collections and stories of the Humber region through creative, collaborative and access improvement projects.
The small grants scheme also included the unique support programme delivered by a freelance Project Grant Mentor, Sarah Oswald. She helped museums develop their bid writing, project delivery and evaluation skills.
Humber Museums Partnership comprises Hull Museums, East Riding of Yorkshire Museums and North Lincolnshire Museums. More details of the small grants scheme launch in June 2021 can be found here - humbermuseums.com/funding-ind...
First Round Grant Awards in September 2021 can be found here - humbermuseums.com/humber-muse...
Second Round Grant Awards in November 2021 can be found here - humbermuseums.com/humber-muse...
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