Attendant's View
Visitors are reminded not to eat in the galleries. The staff may attack you for your food.

  • Cartoons and Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Links Elsewhere

Hours of Operation

13/11/2020

0 Comments

 
museum opening hours
I actually had to be part of a situation like this.

The venue had failed to think through the full ramifications of opening times and staff hours, but it was eventually worked out, although had an understandable knock on effect on new staff who had been planning their travel arrangements around the orignally advertised job times. It's a bit rubbish too, having to tell someone who has just finished their visit that they can't buy anything, because you have already closed the till up.
0 Comments

A Journey Through 'No'.

24/3/2015

1 Comment

 
Just had to endure a journey of "How many ways can you tell a customer no, while still being polite?"

The gent let me go through "That information isn't available, but will be in a few months' time" and then joined me to traverse the lands of "because it's all subject to change" with a meander through "Even if you're happy to accept that the details may change, I don't have the details to give you". 

We had a foray into " It's not that they're not to hand, I just don't have access to those details." prior to a ramble across "if we released unconfirmed details, it would cause visitor disappointment if details change" and he enjoyed the view at "You may be kind enough to appreciate the situation, but not all visitors are as understanding, forgiving or as smart as you! ha ha!"

He led us up towards "I can explain the process we use to help confirm details, but that won't get you any unconfirmed details or hints you can use to extrapolate from what has happened previously." Bit windy up there, but he wanted to take the detour.

Finally, we drew to a halt at "I can give you the email address for that department, and you can ask directly" with a cup of tea at "but you'll pretty much get the same reply..."
1 Comment

All together now

5/10/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
The quirk of fate which means the information desk in the office has back to back phone calls and phone messages - presumably because it's everyone else's lunch break - meaning there's a sandwich staring, forlornly, across the desk for two hours. 

0 Comments

Events over Easter

14/4/2014

1 Comment

 
A colleague just sent our weekly update for large events we have planned - and I had to double take at his approach 
Picture
1 Comment

Remember, Remember...

5/11/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Bewildering Americans aahhhh, endless fun. To be fair, he did laugh after a second, and I did then direct him to the best local display for the evening. 

(and yes, there's no L in Fawkes. Um, I can only blame being tired from quite a busy weekend and my pen not having a spell checker on it)
0 Comments

Monetising the Myth. (it burns, it burns)

31/10/2012

7 Comments

 
I just read this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-20146713 and was rendered speechless through a fog of confused and bemused rage.

 f you don't know, I used to work at Nottingham castle and on a frequent basis had people asking "Where's the castle?" as they expected the towers and turrets of Hollywood fiction. Also "Where did Marion/The Sherrif/Robin live?" and "Where are the dungeons where Robin was kept?" We would try and give a potted explanation that it's all a lot of stories and legends rolled together from different time periods, and if you really want a Robin Hood hat the gift shop is over there thankyuvermuch.

There are plans to revamp the castle, taking advantage of, and explaining (finally) all that stuff, and using it as a way to link from the legends into the real events and times that spawned and changed the myth (hating the Normans, mocking religious figures, viscous tax collecting needed for Richard's wars, etc). The castle really needs some TLC and this will tap into why a lot of people visit, while also steering them to discover and appreciate the genuine history and stories.

And now, plans near Sherwood Forest for... this!
Picture

Read More
7 Comments

Pirates, Witches, Bagpipes or Rebels? It's your choice!

8/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
No, nothing to do with Halloween costumes. You may have spotted that we'll be sponsoring a cabinet at The West Highland Museum, a cracking little place which typifies all the best of local museums. 

For £30, we'll be helping keep one of their cabinets lit and in great condition for a year, which may not sound like much, but the small day to day wear and tear and maintenance really do add up when you are a free museum replying on donations and the gift shop.

The choice of what we sponsor is YOURS. After we asked them for some suggestions, and they sent ideas and pictures, it's been opened to you guys by voting. If you've yet to pick between pirates, witches, bagpipes or rebels* - you have until the end of October. Go vote now!

*This may be a lot of oversimplifications, but distills it all to something quite exciting.

0 Comments

We can smell our own kind...

4/9/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
So there I am, wandering in Leicester waiting for a friend and I head to tourist information for a map, to find a specific shop. Apropos of nothing the assistant also points out Grey Friars and  mentions that that is where the archaeological dig is, but it's not open to the public. No preamble conversation really, I obviously just look like someone interested in holes in the ground.

Because I am someone interested in holes in the ground, I wander over, and while reading the information on the gate (Richard III, once king of England, now probably buried under a council car park in Leicester ) A lady walks up and through the gate. I query if she works there and try to blag my way in, but she's from the New Walk Museum (or Newarke Houses Museum). She does however offer an impromptu tour down the street suggesting highlights to head off to, and drops me off at the Guildhall. Great advert for their museum staff.

Picture
"Perhaps". Brilliantly honest sign admitting that we're buggered if we know, but we stabbed a guess anyway.
Picture
No idea about the table tennis in the Guildhall, unless it was a very odd extra to the wedding about to take place.
Picture


I return to the dig on my way to the city square, and as I stop to answer texts on my phone I have about three groups of people ask me for information on the dig - presumably because:
I look like someone interested in holes in the ground.


Thanks to the sign on the gate and the lady from the museum I'm equipped enough to sound all clever. 

Leicester, in a nutshell: Some very interesting stuff with amazingly friendly people but for heaven's sake don't pause for breath near ancient points of interest!

0 Comments

An attendant in Prague

8/7/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Today you get a bit of a bloggage as I’ve just come back from Prague, and figure if you ever go over there then you may find some advice handy. This goes from basic survival to a bit more about some of the museums, galleries and sights. From what I saw, it’s a great place, I’m in love with it and I would like you to meet this wonderful city too.


Read More
0 Comments

"Opening Lines"

18/6/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
The caller was after the now closed Tales of Robin Hood attraction and by accident called a phone inside a cupboard, usually only for internal calls, just as I was stood next to it. It was a wholly odd moment.
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Webcomic and occasional blog about the heritage sector.
    Share The Attendant:
    Follow The Attendant:
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Tumblr

    RSS Feed

    Topics

    All
    Archaeology
    Art
    Behind The Scenes
    Blog
    Book
    Cartoon
    Castles And Houses
    Complaints
    Daft Questions
    Don't Do That...
    Don't Do That...
    English Heritage
    Entrance Desk
    Forrin Tourists
    Guided Tours
    Handy Gallery Attendant Tip #
    Happy Stories
    Kids
    Mischief
    Museums
    National Trust
    Old Dears
    Parents
    Parks And Gardens
    Review
    School Visits
    Submitted
    Tourist Information
    Yuk

    Author

    All text and images are produced by and copyright of the artist, holder of the domain name of attendantsview.com
    Please contact for permission to use images, which will probably be gladly given, but it's only polite to ask first!

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.