Wonderful article. The museum is just down the road from me, but I had no idea of the backstory. My daughter (who is also fascinated by fossils and all things paleontological) has visited and says that despite being tiny, it's far more worth a visit than some other science museums that we won't name here. Thank you for your insights into the driving force behind it.
Great read, very funny. The Sri Lankan restaurant anecdote was as good as the report on the fossil museum which I'd had no interest in visiting, but will now.
I think the museum needs to be careful about managing expectations to avoid negative reviews. Obviously, it's not a museum in the sense that most people would assume it will be. More akin to the private collections open to the public in London.
Just fyi, I think one of your dates in wrong, unless he had the strangest education.
How is it funded? How does someone basically graduate (with presumably a huge debt) and then set up a 'museum' in the middle of Hillsborough without any financial support from his parents? Makes no sense. His mates are presumably the same age and in similar financial positions as well.
Footling around looking at publicly available financial statements, neither company seems to be in great shape. I think maybe he should have sold that rare specimen to foreign royalty for an immense sum.
That did really jump out at me as being odd. It might be rare but it's not something that is a major pull for people to visit. I would have thought it would have been a sensible move in order for it to remain viable and expand.
But there are a lot of unanswered questions in this article.
Wonderful article. The museum is just down the road from me, but I had no idea of the backstory. My daughter (who is also fascinated by fossils and all things paleontological) has visited and says that despite being tiny, it's far more worth a visit than some other science museums that we won't name here. Thank you for your insights into the driving force behind it.
Exactly so!
Great read, very funny. The Sri Lankan restaurant anecdote was as good as the report on the fossil museum which I'd had no interest in visiting, but will now.
I think the museum needs to be careful about managing expectations to avoid negative reviews. Obviously, it's not a museum in the sense that most people would assume it will be. More akin to the private collections open to the public in London.
Just fyi, I think one of your dates in wrong, unless he had the strangest education.
Brilliant article, it's a fascinating place, even more so now!
The world is a better place for boffins!
Btw, at your 23rd birthday, you begin your 24th year….
James can thank the Tribune for the advertisement as I've bought tickets for the fossil prep as a result of reading
I enjoyed the article and enjoyed the museum when I visited it a year ago. Yes it is small but fascinating especially for young/teenage children
A good read. I took my grandson there in the early days and James is a very engaging young man.
Lovely article. I've been meaning to visit since it opened. So thanks for the reminder. Will get my act together!
I section around money leaves a lot of questions.
How is it funded? How does someone basically graduate (with presumably a huge debt) and then set up a 'museum' in the middle of Hillsborough without any financial support from his parents? Makes no sense. His mates are presumably the same age and in similar financial positions as well.
Footling around looking at publicly available financial statements, neither company seems to be in great shape. I think maybe he should have sold that rare specimen to foreign royalty for an immense sum.
That did really jump out at me as being odd. It might be rare but it's not something that is a major pull for people to visit. I would have thought it would have been a sensible move in order for it to remain viable and expand.
But there are a lot of unanswered questions in this article.
I’ve also heard that all their paid staff left a few months ago after not being…paid
I've just heard that too. It would account for why there were no staff there when Victoria visited.
CICs are allowed to fundraise and accept donations.