Colonial-era museums – a disturbing anachronism in need of reform or an enduring contribution to our knowledge of other cultures? A personal view having visited the @Pitt_Rivers Museum, Oxford.

As I sat a few days ago in Oxford’s famous Pitt Rivers Museum, with its extraordinary collection of artefacts, initially established from a gift by Victorian army officer and explorer, General Augustus Pitt-Rivers, I felt hugely challenged by the content and history of the items on display. On entering the museum’s cavernous exhibition hall, one… Continue reading Colonial-era museums – a disturbing anachronism in need of reform or an enduring contribution to our knowledge of other cultures? A personal view having visited the @Pitt_Rivers Museum, Oxford.

Delighted to see so many friends and colleagues in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List

The UK’s honours system sometimes comes in for criticism, (not least when I received an OBE for public service four years ago!) but today’s list yet again recognised people from every station in society including school crossing attendants, teachers, carers, and community activists. I was particularly delighted to see so many friends and colleagues listed… Continue reading Delighted to see so many friends and colleagues in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List