PennyGreen
Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:19:33 -0800
An email from Gerald Legg at the Booth Museum in Hove: Dear All You may or may not know via the Argus that we are possibly being severely effected by the savings that Local Authorities are having to make. It has been proposed that we close an additional 2 days, making our total weekly closure 3 days, which is purported to make staff savings (security staff not having to be on duty). Cutting front-line services is not a good idea and we are concerned that once this has happened it will be difficult to reverse in the future - a thin wedge would have been inserted that could lead to more cuts in the future. In addition my colleague who retired two years ago has been working ½ time for the past couple of years and is now having to leave at the end of March and there is no immediate sign of replacement, although I am told that this is not the case. The Booth had 4 'professional' (science/nat.hist trained) staff from 1974 to about 1995, this was then reduced to 3 and then to 2 now it is 1 ... With all the associated management and Local Gov. stuff I have to deal with it means that I have had less and less time to do what a natural scientist should do in a museum of this stature (hence my lack of attendances at meetings, involvement with things etc). I've had to give up some areas of work - sadly including Recorder work for B&H. All a bit gloomy. It might help if you could, should you think it worth it, lobby the museum boss and her boss to help prevent these cuts. Any support we can get would be greatly appreciated. I'd also be grateful if you could spread the word about this and suggest others do like-wise. The persons to email are: janita.bagsh...@brighton-hove.gov.uk scott.marsh...@brighton-hove.gov.uk or even the Chief Exec. john.barrad...@brighton-hove.gov.uk and of course a letter to the Argus would also help - as it has in the past. Thanks, Gerald Dr Gerald Legg Keeper of Natural Sciences gerald.l...@brighton-hove.gov.uk [00 44] (0)1273 292781 Royal Pavilion & Museums Booth Museum of Natural History 194, Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 5AA, UK www.brighton-hove-pavilion.org.uk <http://www.brighton-hove-pavilion.org.uk/> www.brighton-hove-museums.org.uk <https://mymail2.brighton-hove.gov.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.brighton-hove-museums.org.uk> Penny Green Species Officer Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre http://sxbrc.org.uk | 01273 497521 Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630