Rehomed, Renamed
As part of the 2024 Summer School, Newcastle University's Writing Poetry MA students were poets-in-residence at the Great North Museum Hancock. Around the museum you can find poems written by the students during the Summer School.
The professional writing residency with the GNM:H encouraged new ways to engage with the museum’s collections, history, and modern cultural presence. It allowed the students to explore new perspectives to the way they approach writing.
Further information about the Writing Poetry MA can be found on the Newcastle University website.
Writing Poetry MA | Postgraduate | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)
Keep this Poem Cool
In general, you should handle poems as little as possible.
The oils, acids and salts in human skin will damage most materials over time. Whenever it is necessary to touch a poem, use clean, dry, lotion-free hands. Or more preferably, wear clean cotton or latex gloves. Follow common sense, though, and do not wear gloves if the poem could easily slip from gloved hands. Remove watches, rings and other jewellery that might snag, scratch or chip the surface of the poem.
All poems should be treated as if they are extremely fragile, even if they do not appear so. It is also important to know the history of the poems so that you’re aware of any previous damage, repairs, loose parts or weak spots. Avoid picking up poems by handles, straps or other protruding components. If a poem breaks, make every effort to collect all detached or broken pieces. A well-trained conservator may be able to repair it.
Ideally, poems should be handled one at a time. In the case of very small, light poems, you may place them in a well-padded basket or tray, but do not allow the poems to touch. Do not try to carry large, bulky or heavy poems alone. Always pick up a poem — never push, pull or slide it. Use both hands and provide full support to the entire poem, especially the base.
Before moving any poem, make sure you have a clear place to set it. The work space should be clean and free of food, beverages and sharp instruments such as pens, tools, paper clips and keys. If possible, lightly pad the work surface to reduce the risk of poems sliding or rolling off.
Regular monitoring for pests can help detect their presence before a major infestation occurs. If an infestation is spotted, contact a professional exterminator immediately.
Tallulah Howarth
