FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers\
What is a ‘hoard’?
A hoard usually consists of precious metal artefacts or coins buried with the intent of recovery at a later date and for reasons unknown it was never recovered
Why do objects from the Hoard still have soil on them?
Conservators have examined the objects but they cannot be cleaned and restored until the money has been raised to buy the Hoard
How much do you need to raise?
£3.3 million (£3,285,000). This sum was reached by the Treasure Valuation Committee in November 2009.
What’s the deadline?
We have until 17 April 2010 to raise the money.
How was this deadline set?
Archaeological finds which may be treasure are governed by a process set out in the 1996 Treasure Act. The find was reported to Duncan Slarke, Finds Liaison Officer of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), who contacted Roger Bland, Head of the PAS and Kevin Leahy, National Finds Adviser. Birmingham Archaeology carried out the excavation, funded by English Heriatge, and this was completed within a month.
The Hoard was sent to the Coroner of South Staffordshire and declared treasure on 24 September 2009. On 25 November 2009 the Treasure Valuation Committee reached its valuation of £3.3 million, and the museums interested in acquiring the Hoard were asked to confirm their intentions. The TVC then generated an ‘invoice’ to the museums, giving four months from this date for the money to be raised. This gave the 17 April deadline.
What is the Treasure Valuation Committee?
The Treasure Valuation Committee is an advisory committee of the DCMS. Members are appointed by the Culture Minister. The British Museum provides the secretariat to the Committee.
What happens if the money is not raised by 17 April?
Only in exceptional circumstances will the Treasure Valuation Committee grant an extension to the deadline. It is hoped that the money will be raised by 17 April to avoid any risk that the treasure will be lost to the nation.
Who will the money go to?
The money will be split equally between the finder and landowner.
What happens to the publicly donated funds if the money cannot be raised?
In the unlikley event that the money simply cannot be raised, the money that the public has donated to the Art Fund will revert to The Art Fund to be used on other similar art and heritage causes. The money collected in donation boxes will go towards display and interpretation about the hoard at the the partner venues
What happens if more money is raised than needed?
If more money is raised than is needed it will go towards the Hoard’s conservation and interpretation.
How much other money is needed for the Hoard’s conservation and interpretation?
In addition to the £3.3million needed to acquire the Hoard a longer term fundraising strategy is underway to ensure that it can be properly conserved, studied and displayed. It is estimated that a further £1.7million will be needed for this.
Who owns the Hoard at the moment?
The Treasure is currently held by the British museum (on behalf of the DCMS) keeps the Hoard safe until a buyer can be found and the money raised.
What happens to the Hoard if the money isn’t raised?
Ownership of the Hoard passes to the finder and landowner, who are free to sell it on the open market.
Is this art? Why is The Art Fund involved?
The Hoard is the largest Treasure collection ever found on UK soil. As well as the insights this could give us into the so-called ‘Dark Ages’, many items in the Hoard are decorated with garnets, covered in filigree work or carry patterns of animals with interlaced bodies. There are many examples of the finest workmanship of Anglo Saxon metalworkers
The Art Fund exists to save art for the nation. Securing the Staffordshire Hoard for everyone to enjoy is why we’re involved!
How much is The Art Fund pledging?
The Art Fund is making an initial grant of £300,000 towards the Hoard.
Does the Pope really want to buy it?
We haven’t heard anything directly from the Vatican regarding the Hoard
Why doesn’t the British Museum want it? Why should it stay in the West Midlands?
It’s not that the British Museum don’t want it. But the Hoard was discovered in the West Midlands, and people feel strongly that it should stay in its region of discovery. Two museums in the area, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Potteries Museum, Stoke-on-Trent, would like to jointly acquire it and The Art Fund is leading the campaign to raise the money for the treasure to stay in the region in which it was unearthed. The British Museum is supporting the campaign, and will provide assistance with research and conservation should the two museums be successful.
Who else is involved?
The Art Fund is leading the campaign to jointly acquire the treasure for Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery and the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent. All are working in partnership with the councils of Birmingham, Lichfield, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth as well as Advantage West Midlands and Staffordshire University.
What will happen to the Hoard if the money is raised? Will it all be kept together or split up around the West Midlands?
If the money is raised then The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will jointly acquire it so that it will be on display at both sites. Key ‘star’ items will be on display on rotation and high quality replicas will be produced while on display at other venues. There are around 1,800 items in the Hoard and both museums are working with the other partners in the Hoard Partnership to display items at other venues in Lichfield Cathedral and Tamworth Castle. Staffordshire Museums Service will also be leading on a touring exhibition around the region. The venues will form the ‘Mercian Trail’ which will ensure that as many peopleas possible have access to seeing the Hoard in the region.
How can I donate to the Hoard appeal?
You can donate in a number of ways. There are donation boxes at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. You may also donate online at www.stoke.gov.uk/museum. Alternatively, you can donate using gift aid in person at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. You can also complete the gift aid form which can be found online on the Staffordshire Hoard appeal page of our website and send the completed form and a cheque to G.B. Snow Treasurer of the Friends of The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke- on- Trent ST1 3DW.
What are the advantages to donating using gift aid?
HM Revenue and Customs will add 28% to every £1 you gift aid to the appeal so we will raise £1.28. Simply complete a gift aid declaration and either hand it in to us or send it in to the Treasurer:- G.B. Snow, Treasurer of the Friends of the Potteries Museums & Art Gallery, Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3DW. With a covering note specifying that the donation is to go to the Staffordshire Hoard Appeal.Cheques must be made payable to The Friends of the Potteries Museum or The Friends of PMAG.
When will it next be on view?
A selection of the Treasure will be on view at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent from 13 February until 7 March 2010. Parts of the Hoard will continue to be on display at the British Museum until April.
Where can I find more information about the campaign?
To donate to save the hoard and discover more about it, find local events, keep up with latest news about the fundraising campaign, and download banners and buttons for your own blog, website, Facebook or Twitter - visit www.artfund.org/hoard and www.twitter.com/theartfunduk
Will I have to pay to see the hoard?
No, the hoard exhibition is free, in fact it is a condition of the loan from the British Museum –Portable Antiquities Scheme that it be displayed free of charge.
Will I have to queue to see the hoard?
We are anticipating high interest from the public wishing to see the hoard so please expect queues, we plan to display waiting times online and on-site to help you to plan your visit. Please be aware that there may be queuing outside the museum and it may be wet and cold so wrap up and be prepared to ensure that you stay warm and dry. It is planned to serve hot drinks while queuing.
Is there a way to avoid queuing for long periods?
The short answer to this no other than to arrive early, try to avoid the first week or if you are a business or part of an organisation, you can book an evening event to help raise money to save the hoard. Speak to our Retail and Bookings officer for further information (tel. 01782 232323)
Is there provision for disabled people?
We will consider all requests for assistance by disabled people on a case-by-case basis. Please advise visitors that the first week and weekends are likely to be busier than mid-week after the School holidays. Should a disabled person be offered a concession it will only include one carer.
Where can I park?
The Museum has no on-site parking, static traffic signs will guide people to John Street car parks. There are other car parks within a short walking distance of the museum and parking meters on Bethesda Street and Warner Street.
John Street multi-storey car park is the designated Hoard car park and we recommend you try their first.
Sat Nav Post codes for Car Parks :-
John St Multi ST1 3BP
John St Surface ST1 3BP
Lichfield St ST1 3AD
Warner St ST1 4EB
Crown St ST1 4HE
Castle St ST1 4EB
Clementsons Mill ST1 4AA
Broad St ST1 4JQ
Hinde St ST1 3TD & ST1 3BN
Other car parks in Hanley are:-
Meigh St Multi ST1 3AU
Lower Huntbach St ST1 2AB
Upper Huntbach St ST1 2BX
Meigh St Surface ST1 2BL
Pall Mall ST1 1HP
Hope St ST1 5QY
St Anne St ST1 2NU
Getting here by bike
The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery is conviently located on National Cycle Network 5 (NCN 5) and cycle parking is located either side of the main entrance to the musueum.
Will there be food and drink available?
There will be food and drink available but it will not be our usual range of food on offer. We plan to have drinks on sale while queuing. (N.B. We are waiting final confirmation of details for the services that will be available)
Where can I get water/a drink of water?
Water is provided free of charge and can be obtained from the Museum cafe.
How long will you have inside the Museum to look at the Hoard?
This depends on the volume of people in the queue. It is not possible to give an exact time.
Where are the nearest toilets?
There are toilets in The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery foyer and on the lower
ground floor near the café.
Is there a souvenir programme to buy?
Yes. Copies are £4.99 with £1 going towards the Hoard appeal. Unfortunately owing to the popularity and overwhelming demand for the Staffordshire Hoard book we have run out of copies. Visitors may leave their names and addresses with a member of staff in our shop and we can post a copy when books become available in the next few days. We apologise for any inconveneince caused. We do, however, have an information sheet available for sale.The minimum suggested donation for this is 50p.
What are the Museum opening times?
Opening hours are Monday – Saturday 10 – 5pm. Sundays 2- 5pm.
However, Sunday opening has been extended during the period
that the Hoard is on display to 10 – 5pm.
I am coming with a coach
· Where do coaches drop off?
· Where do coaches park?
· Can we book in for a certain time?
You can drop off passengers outside the museum in Bethesda Street. Please ring for further details. It is not possible to book in. There are facilities for coach parking at Hinde Street car park and Bryan Street car park.
Can I take photographs in the Museum of the Hoard?
No it is not possible to take photographs of the Hoard.
If I come by train how do I get from the train station?
Catch the local bus, numbers 23, 23A and 25 from outside the railway station to Hanley
bus station and then follow the pedestrian signage to the Museum.
How much does a taxi from the train station cost to the Museum?
Approximately £5 one way from the railway station to the Museum.
What else is there to do nearby?
Contact the Tourist Information Centre in the Victoria Hall for all further information on all the attractions, things to do and see and for accommodation bookings.
Tel: 01782 236000
stoke.tic@stoke.gov.uk
