Dec 6, 2016
Dec 1, 2016
We've Submitted the First Round Bid for Forging Ahead Development
Today we submitted our first round bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £9.8m to complete Phase One of our Masterplan for the next 40 years.
If the bid is successful, the Phase One project entitled BCLM: Forging Ahead will see the Museum turn its face to Castle Hill, creating a brand new visitor centre and car park, as well as the creation of a 1940s – 60s Historic Development in the heart of the site.
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) applications are assessed in two rounds, and if successful, this first stage of the project (which is financially supported in principle by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership) will allow us to carry out significant historic research and detailed planning proposals in order to complete a second round bid to HLF in December 2018.
Several buildings at risk of demolition from across the Black Country have already been identified to be translocated to the Museum site as part of the project. There are also plans to turn the current Rolfe Street Entrance Building into a new learning centre to enable the development of a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) learning programme.
Andrew Lovett, Director & Chief Executive comments: “We are delighted to now be in a position to submit this funding bid which has been three years in the making. If successful, this development will be a significant one and will allow us to complete the Museum’s story. We want to expand and improve our visitors’ experience, enable more people to understand the true significance of the Black Country’s heritage and in doing so, play a major role in the wider regeneration of Dudley by increasing our visitor numbers from 300,000 to 500,000 per year.”
We'll find out whether we've been successful in Spring 2017, and if so will work towards submitting a second round bid in October 2018. This will mark the our 40th anniversary in operation, having opened in 1978 and welcomed 8,903,845 visitors since!
Nov 30, 2016
‘Irish Water: If we want your land we’ll take it for the Shannon-Dublin pipeline’
In September this year, one farmer in north Kildare was told that the proposed Shannon-Dublin water pipeline would be running through his farm.
Earlier this month, Irish Water published its final options appraisal report on plans to build a pipeline – which could affect some 500 landowners – to supply Dublin and its hinterland with water from the River Shannon.
The farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has said that farmers are not being given enough time to make a case for their land not to be used.
“Irish Water is saying to us if we want your land we will take it for pipeline.
“We object to pipeline going through land as we are only a small farm and the land they plan to use is required for our livestock and it is also a flood plain.”
Reality struck when he saw the planned proposed route for the River Shannon cutting his farm in half.
“I just find it surreal to think that a Government organisation can do this without backing from a land owner.
The detail in these plans has gone on without the knowledge of any farmer, I just find it shocking to think that a company like Irish Water could draw up such plans.
“Irish Water has done all of its plans and surveys from GIS and from the air, they __have not walked the land where they would see that the land they plan to use is in fact a floodplain.”
Alternative routes
Meanwhile, the farmer also said that a preliminary appraisal report showed an alternative route on the Irish Water website back in November 2015.
“They are bypassing a shorter route that has well known private college and also a well known hotel and golf course on it.
“They also had an international stud farm on the original 2km corridor but again moved away from this.
It looks like they __have meandered around locations that carry notoriety and not due to historical or cultural reasons.
“What I would like to know is why were certain areas around north Kildare receive preferential treatment and yet have bulldozed their plans through other peoples land.”
The farmer said that his farm is very important to him and his family, that they have looked after it for years and it is upsetting to see Irish Water thinking they can come in and do what they like with the land.
“We will still be farming here but the next few years will be difficult if the pipeline goes ahead.
“Why did they not use the route alongside the Canal that already runs from the upper course of the Shannon?
“Irish Water will not listen. They have top down approach whereby they are saying to us that if they want that land we can get it and that it is not negotiation.”
10 safety tips to ensure children stay safe on your farm this winter
Rural families were today warned about the heightened risk on farms due to poor visibility and hazardous weather conditions over the winter period.
The warning was issued at the launch of a new mobile game designed to empower children to become farm safety ambassadors.
The game, which was developed by the multi-award winning farm safety education platform, AgriKids, was launched by RTE Sports Broadcaster and Mother of two, Evanne Ní Chuilinn.
- Children should never travel alone to the farm.
- When children visit the farm, farmers and parents should always explain the dangers.
- Hi-visibility clothing and accessories are essential in the darkened evenings and early mornings.
- After dark there should be proper lighting in the areas where people are working or visiting.
- Farm yards should be kept tidy and free from any hazards that may cause trips and falls.
- Extra clothing layers should be tucked in and jackets closed with no hanging strings to ensure they don’t get snagged or entangled in machinery.
- Farmers should only give children jobs that are suitable for their age e.g. feeding hens, stacking buckets.
- Farmyards are not playgrounds. Farmers should set up a suitable play area away from the yard.
- Farmers should lead by example and show children how to prevent farm accidents.
- Farmers should __have a farm safety action plan and always __have a first aid kit stocked and accessible
The new mobile game was developed on behalf of AgriKids by Dublin based app development studio, Fierce Fun.
The game, which is available to download for free on Google Play or App Store., is ideal for children from the age of six upwards.
Donegal based illustrator, Martin Beckett, who is the artist behind the AgriKids series of children’s books also designed the app’s graphics and imagery while composer, Jamie Wilson, another Donegal resident has created the app’s distinct sound with an original score.
Founder of AgriKids, Alma Jordan said, there tends to be a lot of focus on farm safety during spring and summer which are the busiest time on our farms, but winter brings with it much poorer weather conditions making many farmyards and roads treacherous.
“For many farmers, the daily workload remains the same with animals needing to be fed and cows milked but the work is being carried out with a significant decrease in visibility as a result of shorter, darker days.
“Many children are off school for at least two weeks at Christmas and may visit or find themselves out on the farm more often so safety needs to be front of mind,” she said.
Managing herd health on a 1,200 head finishing unit
Glen South Farm finishes 1,200 cattle on an annual basis and since its formation herd health has played a key role in the business.
The farm, which is owned by Frank Murphy and managed by Aine Sweeney, specialises in quick turn-around stores.
The majority of the cattle finished are Angus and Hereford heifers, which are bought in at 450kg and sent to slaughter approximately 70 days later weighing 550kg.
Yesterday, the specialised finishing unit welcomed farmers to see the Lely Vector Feeding System in operation, while local vet Tom Vaughan discussed the health measures taken to ensure the animals reach their full potential.
Cattle sourced from 40-50 different herds
The finishing shed on Glen South Farm can handle close on 360 cattle, Vaughan said, and given the nature of the operation, these cattle can come from 40-50 different herds.
As a result, Vaughan said special care is needed when it comes to the management of bought in stock, with all purchased stock held in a separate shed for three days prior to being introduced to the main finishing unit.
Following this three-day spell, the cattle are vaccinated and also receive a pour-on treatment for parasites such as liver fluke and lice.
Live-IBR vaccination used on farm
The Kanturk-based vet added that all of the cattle are vaccinated for IBR before entering the main finishing unit – a live-IBR vaccination programme is used on the farm.
The IBR vaccine provides the animals with six months protection from the virus, he said.
A vaccination programme for Blackleg has also been introduced, with Covexin-10 being the product of choice when it comes to protecting animals from costly clostridial diseases.
Dosing and withdrawal period
Given the short finishing period on farm, special care is taken when it comes to the withdrawal periods of doses.
Currently, the farm is using Closamectin pour-on, he said, which treats a number of parasitic infections including hoose, stomach worms, lice and liver fluke to name a few.
However, the product only kills fluke older then six weeks and this leaves a little to be desired, he said, but the product’s short withdrawal period (28 days) is a major benefit.
Vigilance key for herd health
The finishing unit on Glen South Farm is made of 10 different pens capable of holding 36 animals in each.
Vaughan stressed that vigilance is key when it comes to managing the health of the finishing herd, with each lame or sick animal treated on an individual basis.
However, he said the incidence of lameness, cattle suffering from acidosis or scours is quite low on the farm, and in cases where an animal is found to be sick immediate action is taken to resolve the issue.
