Fieldwork
The last of the fieldwork in-depth interviews was held this month. This completes the list of 14 interviews undertaken over the last 18 months, as shown below:
1. Mary Montagu-Scott – Site Owner / Curator
Friday 1st March 2013, 11am, John Montague Building, Beaulieu.
The interview with Mary covered Beaulieu’s vision for the Abbey and how they see cultural heritage interpretation as part of this vision. Questions concerning Beaulieu’s perception and knowledge of visitor interaction with cultural heritage and their engagement with heritage artefacts were asked. A discussion of the relationship between the stakeholders and the curator took place to ascertain the extent of external influences that may exist in the origination of an interpretation project.
2. Susan Tomkins – Archivist & Learning Interpretation Advisor / Curator
Wednesday 10th July 2013, 10am, John Montague Building, Beaulieu.
The interview with Susan covered choice of content and how this is relevant to the initial conceptualisation of an interpretation project. Questions concerning the interaction of the relationship with the designer(s) and how this affects the interpretation project were asked. Discussion regarding the curator’s interaction with visitors, the methods used to measure the success of interpretation at the Abbey and how important this is for future interpretation projects took place.
3. Stephen Munn – Beaulieu Enterprises Limited, Commercial Director
Thursday 18th July 2013 11.30am, John Montague Building, Beaulieu.
The interview with Stephen Munn related to the decision making process in the commercial / marketing aspect of the Abbey. Questions concerning the processes involved in how a project is decided upon as a commercial attraction / visitor attractor were asked. Discussion regarding what is seen as a successful visitor interpretation at Beaulieu took place, including discussion on how they capture this information.
4. Jon Tee – Beaulieu Enterprises Limited, Visitor Services Manager
Wednesday 3rd July 2013 2pm, John Montague Building, Beaulieu.
The interview with the Jon Tee related to how Beaulieu manages to capture data on their visitors’ experiences. Questions concerning the methods and processes used in capturing their visitor data and feedback, how they analyse and feed this back into the Beaulieu interpretations, and how they communicate with their visitors were asked. Discussion regarding feedback and communication with Beaulieu Abbey’s interpretations including the kiosk took place.
5. Very Revd James Atwell – Dean of Winchester Cathedral and launch guest
Wednesday 13th November 2013 2.30pm, Winchester Cathedral Close.
The interview with the Dean related to his experience of the Beaulieu Abbey application, the choice of content available through the application and if having choice enhanced his experience. Questions concerning the mix of visitors to religious heritage sites such as Beaulieu Abbey and whether an interpretation should provide different types of experiences for the different groups that visit were asked. Discussion regarding cultural heritage software’s ability to engage and enhance a visitor’s experience at a religious cultural heritage site took place.
6. Isabelle Bedu – Stonehenge World Heritage Site Co-Ordinator and launch guest
The interview with Isabelle will relate to her experience of the Beaulieu Abbey application, the choice of content available through the application and if having choice enhanced her experience. Questions relating to how they use interpretation to help visitors understand Stonehenge will be asked. Discussion regarding the different applications Isabelle has used, how they compare and how they may be adapted to suit different sites will be planned. (Isabelle is now working in Africa – replacement will be Dr John Richardson, interview planned mid May 2014)
Dr John Richardson – Blue Planet Innovation and launch guest
Wednesday 14th May 11.00am, Holiday Inn, INTECH, Winchester.
The interview with John related to his experience of the Beaulieu Abbey application, the choice of content available through the application and if having choice enhanced his experience. Questions relating to the clarity of the application – i.e. was it made clearer via demonstration at the museum, and was the event useful in understanding way it could develop were asked. Discussion relating to John’s experience working with innovation and small business and how this has helped him to create his own business ideas (i.e. business KIT) took place. It was also valuable discussing similar applications John experienced and how the Beaulieu application compares.
7. Rupert Thompson – Publisher and launch guest
Friday 25th October 2013 11.30am, Hogs Back Brewery Ltd, Guildford.
The interview with Rupert related to his experience of the Beaulieu Abbey application, the choice of content available through the application and if having choice enhanced his experience. Questions relating to the clarity of the application – i.e. was it made clearer via demonstration at the museum, and was the event useful in understanding way it could develop were asked. Discussion regarding the transposition of guide books to digital media, i.e. will digital replace or enhance traditional media took place.
8. John Pemberton – Software Consultant & Launch Visitor
Tuesday 1st October 2013 10am, Ipley Manor, New Forest
The interview with John related to his experience of the Beaulieu Abbey application, the choice of content available through the application and if having choice enhanced his experience. Questions relating to the clarity of the application – i.e. was it made clearer via demonstration at the museum, and was the event useful in understanding way it could develop were asked. Discussion regarding the commercialisation of cultural heritage software to enhance a visitor’s experience at a cultural heritage site took place.
9. Russell Richards – Educator / Designer (Southampton Solent University)
Wednesday 3rd July 2013, 10.30am, Sir James Matthews Building, SMY05, Southampton Solent University.
The interview with Russell relate to his experience of the Beaulieu Abbey application, the choice of content available through the application and if having choice enhanced his experience. Questions relating to the design and clarity of the application – i.e. is the navigation intuitive although unique, is the content too rich, not rich enough, is there too much choice were asked. Discussion regarding the educational aspect of cultural heritage applications such as the Beaulieu Abbey kiosk app, how much is too much information, and how educators as well as cultural heritage site visitors may use interpretation to enhance experience to cultural heritage sites took place.
10. Rebecca Furse – Design Assistant, Beaulieu Application & Architectural Technician / Interior Designer
Friday 6th September 2013, 11.00am, 19 Lowden Avenue, Chippenham, Wilts
The interview with Rebecca related to her experience in the development / build of the Beaulieu Abbey application and the depth of content available through the application. Questions relating to the design of the interpretation and how it answered the Beaulieu Abbey brief, how it might have been designed differently if designed by Rebecca, what changes would have been made and why were asked. Discussion regarding the effects of cultural influences and external interests affecting interpretation and design of cultural heritage applications took place.
11. Katya O’Grady – Fine Artist /Designer
Tuesday 8th October 2013, 11am, University of Winchester, Winchester
The interview with Katya related to her experience in the development / build of the Riddle Route QR application for Winchester Cathedral and her involvement with the Chronicles of Light. Questions relating to the design of her interpretation of the original brief and how it then answered the brief, how it might have been designed differently if more time and budget had been available, what changes would have been made and why were asked. Discussion regarding the effects of cultural influences and external interests affecting Katya’s work took place and how the visitor/audience is placed with regards to her art work.
12. Alex Hoare – Glass Designer for Museum Installations
Thursday 18th July 2013, 8.30am, The Light Factory, Worthy Lane, Winchester
The interview with Alex related to her experience of designing for museum installations, her involvement with curators and stakeholders / funding organisations. Questions relating to the influence in her designs by external and internal sources were asked. Discussion regarding where the visitor sits in the process of designing museum installations took place.
13. Andy Lane – INTECH Science Centre and Planetarium, Marketing Manager (used to be Marketing Manager at Beaulieu)
Monday 8th July 2013 2pm, INTECH.
The interview with Andy related to his experience of working at Beaulieu Abbey and how the interpretations were planned and the processes they went through before installation. Questions relating to the involvement of the visitor in the interpretation process were asked. Discussion regarding the marketing methods used to attract visitors took place.
14. Ruth Taylor – Freelance learning, interpretation and community engagement consultant (National Trust in 2006)
Monday 22nd July 2013, 2pm, Costa Coffee, 3 Station Road, West Byfleet
The interview with Ruth related to her experience of working within an organisation such as the National Trust. Questions relating to how the process for curating / designing and installing interpretations within a large organisation may be different to smaller private cultural heritage sites were asked. Discussion regarding the importance of visitor learning via interpretation took place.
All interviewees have been asked to give a brief overview about their current role, how they came to be where they are now and an indication of external interests. This will help to understand possible external influences and their cultural background.