Whilst distributing this magazine I get to talk to a lot of people, and quite a few stop me asking questions, the most common one is “Where is the train station?”
Other frequently asked questions are “Where can I get jewellery valued?” The one that surprises me is how many people I get talking to are on their way to one of the 3 museums either the Pen Museum, The Coffin Works and JW Evans Silver Factory, is why are they not open? (Used to be 4 but just how long does it take to sort out a problem with a building in the permanently closed Museum of the Jewellery Quarter?)
Even more surprising it is usually on a Monday, late afternoon, and I explain they only open Mondays when it is a Bank Holiday.
It seems these people who are mostly pensioners but some much younger have come to the JQ on speculation without checking anywhere what times and days the Museums are open, and I explain that since COVID that volunteer ‘workforce’ is a lot less so only open Thursdays to Sundays, or on specific days and times for tours at the JW Evans Silver factory.
Most agree they should have checked online (those that can) and understand and they all say they are going to visit all three museums in the near future, I also advise them to book just in case there are problems on the day to save them a wasted journey.
Incidentally, when I am in Vyse Street, I often see people hanging around the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter puzzling why it is not open!
Mark
