Poole Museum – A Bold New Vision
Join the SW Fed at Poole Museum in Dorset on 16 March 2026 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Poole Museum has recently re-opened following a £10.3m and 7 year long redevelopment, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Join Interim Museum Director, Jaine Fitzpatrick and Capital Project Manager, Alison Gudgeon, who will share perspectives on the transformation journey and the experience of launching a brand new museum. Discover how the museum celebrates the town’s maritime and marine archeological heritage and is helping to revitalise the historic quayside.
South West Fed 95th Annual General Meeting & Network Event
Join the SW Fed at Stonehenge in Wiltshire on
The South West Fed warmly welcomes our members to attend our 95th Annual General Meeting. This year’s meeting will be held at Stonehenge, English Heritage’s flagship site, where members will have the opportunity to learn about and visit this unique heritage site in Wiltshire. The English Heritage team will reveal their exciting plans to transform the way children and young people learn at Stonehenge.
From Summer 2026 learners can step inside the authentic Kusuma Neolithic Hall and travel 5,000 years back in time. Built using traditional methods and materials, this large, immersive space allows up to 60 learners to experience life as it was in prehistoric times. Experimental Archaeologist, Luke Winter, and a 100-strong team of volunteers started construction in September 2025 using Neolithic techniques and tools.
Phase 2 launching Autumn 2026 is a brand-new sustainable Learning Centre, including the Clore Discovery Lab, Weston Learning Studio, digital production studio, The Wolfson Foyer, and an open-air courtyard designed to support sensory learning. Here, pupils will experiment, create, and explore with specialist facilities that spark imagination, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. The team behind the project will share their plans for expanding the learning offer at Stonehenge, sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation.
The day also offers the usual opportunities for our members to network and socialise with colleagues and friends from across the South West.
We programme events and online talks throughout the year to showcase heritage and museums work across the Southwest, explore issues and share learning from across our sector. Events and online talks, with the exception of our AGM, can be attended by both members and non-members.
Each in-person session is hosted by a different organisation in the Southwest and includes a site visit plus exclusive behind-the-scenes insights. Our online talks take place on Zoom and feature speakers from both within and beyond the region. These sessions focus on a specific topic, project, or experience designed to inspire our work, share learning, challenge current practice, and ultimately support a heritage sector that is rich, diverse, and welcoming.
All events include time for Q&A so participants can explore the subject in more depth. Please note that in-person sessions have limited capacity, so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Attending our events
All event tickets can be booked through Ticket Tailor and are open to both members and non-members. Members receive discounted tickets, and concession rates are available for students and those who are unemployed. Joining SWFed is free and members receive a monthly e-newsletter with sector updates and information about upcoming events.
Some events will be free where we have sponsorship, while other events may require a higher entry fee.