Foxton Canal Museum

How has Modes helped you?

We have been cataloguing the collection using Modes software for 10 years now and have recently started to use Modes Complete, to improve our collections care and development. The museum was Accredited with Arts Council England, on 25 September 2012, recognising our commitment to managing our collections effectively for the enjoyment and benefit of visitors.

Modes Complete is a massive improvement and so much easier to use. Modes Complete is so much more flexible and the new editing features are of real benefit. If our volunteer team does get stuck, then the excellent level of support offered by the at Modes User Association is really appreciated. Modes user support team responds really quickly to queries and doesn’t leave you scratching your head for ages, which is great.

Using Modes Complete, with all the new functionality it offers, will ensure that our records are easy to access for both visitors and staff. We hope, that with this good and proper order, we will be ready to put our collections information online very soon.

Overview of the organisation

Website: www.foxtoncanalmuseum.org
Source: Mike Beech, Keeper

The Museum fulfills the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust’s educational role and records the history and research carried out by Trust members.

Models, interactive displays, and a wide range of waterway artefacts tell the story of the lift, the Locks, the waterways and the people who lived on the canals.

The Museum was opened in 1989 and is situated in the Boiler House of the lift, which was reconstructed by Trust Volunteers. The Museum tells the story of the lift and canals it served, conserving the history for the benefit of all. The Staff consist of a full time keeper supported by volunteers. Museum staff and volunteers research the history of the lift and local canals. We are proud to say that the Museum has won a number of awards, amongst them 3 Leicestershire Heritage Awards and a highly commended in the prestigious, nationally based, Gulbenkian Awards. The Museum is Accredited with the MLA and a member of several Museum organisations, including the Leicestershire and Rutland Museums Forum.