One of the main issues that arose from the troubles which the BNTVA Charity has experienced over the past year was the safety and security of their collection of archives artefacts and collectables. A key part of the rescue package challenge for the Trustees was to ensure that the invaluable heritage of our community was not broken up and lost.
If the charity had become insolvent these items represented some sixty percent of its physical asset wealth and would be a prime target for a bankruptcy yard sale.
We are pleased to announce that, after considerable negotiation and a significant investment from a benefactor, all the BNTVA archival collection material has been saved for future generations. Not only has this been secured but we also managed to safeguard the future development of the collection
BNTVA Members are automatically made members of the BNTVA Collection and will be consulted on major decisions with the organisation predominantly through their representatives on the Advisory Board.
The Collection is supported by an Advisory Board giving guidance and advice regarding the management of the collection. The Board is modelled on the structure and function adopted so successfully within the Centre for the Health Effects of Radiological and Chemical Elements at Brunel University London.
The Board will be headed by the BNTVA Collections Head Curator Mr Wesley Perriman BA(hons), MA.
Wesley obtained a BA in Fine Art at Nottingham Trent in 2006 and spent over 12 years exhibiting as a Sculptor across the UK. He obtained his MA in Curatorial Practise at Leeds Arts University in 2019 specialising in Cold War Collections. Wesley has already been behind two successful BNTVA exhibitions.
The balance of the Board will consist of a number of experts from the Museums and Collections world, Two members appointed from the general BNTVA Membership and a place for each Affiliate Charity.
After some consideration, the Community Interest Company format was selected as the best business model through which to operate the BNTVA Collection affording the resilience and revenue generation ability of corporate structure with a deep rooting in delivering the trust of our beneficiary community.
The initial aims of the organisation are to Collect, Conserve, Curate and Cultivate the Heritage of our community for the benefit of that community and future generations.
Collect – Gather documents, artefacts and ephemera relating to the British Nuclear Tests and its community of Veterans and families with associated Cold War.
Conserve – Preserve the collected items to ensure their accessibility for future generations.
Curate – Curate and Catalogue the collection to facilitate better understanding and research of all aspects of the Nuclear Tests and the human story behind them.
Cultivate – Grow and share our heritage with others through access, research, abstract and exhibition.
The BNTVA Collection will have a regular Editorial section in Exposure Magazine ensuring all our activities and unique ‘finds’ are shared with our community of supporters. We look forward to meeting you in our first public outing at the 2024 Nuclear Community Annual Convention where we will be mounting a mini exhibition and giving a presentation on our goals for the future.
