Friday 25th June 2010 in Plymouth

                              Guardian Arts and Heritage correspondent and Museum's Journal columnist Maev Kennedy was the guest speaker at this year's SW Federation AGM.  Known for her plain speaking and sideways look at museums and the tangles we get into with 'sector speak', the event was as challenging and entertaining as we all expected with a lively debate and many questions for Maev afterwards.

The AGM was held at Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery on Friday 25th June.  In the morning delegates had the opportunity to visit Plymouth's four new galleries, one of which showcases the human history collections.  The formal meeting and Ms Kennedy's address took place in the afternoon.

As usual there were elections for posts on the Board and Alison Bevan, the chair of the Fed, delivered her annual report.  She highlighted the introduction during the year of membership cards for subscribing members.  Over 30 charging museums in the SW will admit Federation members in free, on the production of the card.   

Hilary McGowan summed up the impact of this year's Museum Skills programme, funded jointly with Renaissance SW.  The autumn programme of events will be out shortly.   Book early to avoid disappointment.

A key message from Stella Yates of Renaissance SW and all the other speakers was how, in these times of cuts and reorganisation, it is more important than ever that the Federation's voice is heard loud and clear to champion the cause of museums on behalf of everyone who works in them or values their contribution to our communities.