Ipswich Museum has been highly commended in the Collections Trust Awards 2018 for a project which has brought together in one place all the information about the natural science collection.

The Collections Trust is a UK organisation, also working internationally, that sets out standards that museums should work to and the award recognises the achievements of those who manage the collections at the heart of the UK’s museums.

The natural science collection at Ipswich contains well over 150,000 specimens and includes material from important scientists, including Prof Henslow (Charles Darwin’s mentor) and Revd Kirby (the “founder of entomology” and friend of Thomas Gainsborough). The natural science collection ranges from large mammals to tiny insects and some of the oldest life on Earth.

Ipswich Borough Councillor Carole Jones, Museums Service portfolio-holder, said, “This is very welcome and well deserved. The work here has been led by Dr Kate Riddington, our Collections & Learning Curator, and I want to thank her for achieving this national success for our museums and for Ipswich. We are very fortunate to have such expert and dedicated staff.”

Pictured above: Councillor Jones with a Highly Commended award plaque with Kevin Gosling, Chief Executive of the Collection Trust, and Elisha Mason, Assistant Collections & Learning Curator.