Filey Museum has been undergoing a transformation over the past couple of years and is due to re-open in early April with a full complement of trustees.

In addition to the new trustees, many volunteers have also been helping to get the doors open for visitors to Filey’s “hidden gem” – an award-winning attraction since 1971. “We will be opening slowly from 4 April. There is still much reviewing and renewing of artefacts to do.” explains volunteer curator Lottie Beard, “People will have the opportunity to see our Gansey exhibit and have a tour of our plans for downstairs and garden.”

After converting to a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in August 2025 the original three trustees, Kim Hodgson (chair), Rachael Black (secretary) and Lottie Beard (treasurer/curator), put out a call inviting people to apply to become a trustee.
The response was terrific. The following trustees have been appointed to a three-year term and provide the museum with a quality and breadth of experience and knowledge that will enable the museum to develop and prosper as it enters its next incarnation with exciting and imaginative plans focussing on “fishing, farming and seaside fun”.

The new trustees who join Rachael Black (chair) and Lottie Beard (curator) are Stephen Cunningham, Philip Gibson, Robert Hartley, Melissa Hill, Emma Jenkinson, Ian Pilbeam and Kayley Porter. Kim Hodgson has since resigned as chair and trustee for personal reasons.
The following are brief bios of all trustees, which you can also find on our website – www.fileymuseum.org.

Rachael Black (Chair) – – Rachael’s initial connection to Filey came via marrying into the local Milner family but her passion for its local history came from regularly staying and living in Filey. Involved with voluntary organisation development and HR for over 20 years and being an active member and former president of Copmanthorpe WI, York plus founding member of the Filey WI branch “Filey Flithers”, Rachael is well-positioned to oversee the general management of the museum.

Charlotte Beard (Curator) – Lottie and her family arrived in Filey speculatively a few years ago and quickly settled in and become actively involved in the local community including being on the Filey Community Partnership Working Group. Lottie has been able to apply her creative skills and previous museum experience to organise and curate new exhibits and displays. An avid knitter herself, Lottie has a particular interest in ganseys and is putting together a special exhibition for the museum’s re-opening.

Melissa Hill (Treasurer) – Melissa brings 20 years’ experience in the corporate and institutional finance industry and 10 years in the creative and cultural sector. She worked in a variety of social and cultural charities and non-profit organisations over the span of her life, from being a Sunday School teacher, to a mentor to young people in state care, to a Trustee role supporting Disability Rights. Melissa is currently a full-time stained-glass artist and has exhibited in the UK and around the world. Having recently moved to Filey, Melissa joined Filey Museum as a Trustee because she is passionate about the value of small regional museums and preserving the history of ordinary people and their lives.

Philip Gibson – Phil has a special connection with the museum – his grandparents lived and farmed from the museum buildings! Having been born and grown up in and near Filey, Phil now has a local building construction company. He is very interested in raising awareness of the farming history in the area and with his experience, he will be leading the board with responsibility for building management.

Robert Hartley – Born in Filey, Robert left at age18 to pursue a varied career as an Ordnance Survey Cartographer, an FRICS Chartered Surveyor, a lecturer in Business Law, an Inspector of Schools, and a Magistrate. Retiring back home 25 years ago he enjoys his leisure time with long walks and singing sea shanties. Robert is very proud of his local heritage and enjoys sharing it with others.

Emma Jenkinson – Emma is part of the Jenkinson fishing family lineage, so she is firmly rooted in Filey. Her experience working in education and care, plus her knowledge of the volunteer sector and enthusiasm for local heritage provides Filey Museum with a much-appreciated link from the past to the future.

Kayley Porter – Kayley works as a public historian with experience in research, interpretation and public engagement. Her work has included presenting research papers and public talks at academic and professional forums, including conferences at the University of York and Queen’s University Belfast, on topics such as inclusive interpretation, community-centred heritage practice and overlooked historical figures. She has also collaborated with the University of Northampton on a public history and performance project exploring local dialect and cultural memory, which received national media attention through the BBC.

Ian Pilbeam was a commercial photographer for many years and prior to that illustrator, graphic designer and art director. Before moving to Filey Ian was based in the Isle of Man where he was a director of the Sayle Art Gallery and photographed and wrote the definitive printed guide of phone boxes on the Island.

Stephen Cunningham – lives in Muston