Volunteers Wanted for the Clarks Point of Sale Digitisation Project

Clarks Tor Shoes, (1935)

The Point of Sale (POS) collection is one of the biggest and most historically significant collections held by the Alfred Gillett Trust. Not only it is one of the largest collections of its kind in the UK, but one of the most complete. With objects ranging from 1851 to the present day, with only minor gaps, it visually tells the story of the rise of C & J Clark Ltd. from a local company selling wool lined slippers to one of the most competitive footwear companies in the world.

The digitisation project aims to create a searchable visual database of the collection. In order to do this, the POS must be cleaned, have its record updated on our museum database, be condition checked, photographed, repackaged into archival and museum standard packaging to minimise degradation, and finally stored in our custom-built archive storage facility.

As a volunteer on this project, not only will you get to see a stunning visual history of the company, but be part of an exciting project that gives you a behind the scenes look at how the heritage sector works. Working with original objects, you will be trained onsite in handling, cleaning, and use of the database by the Project Manager.

Pat Keeler, a current volunteer says, “Working with Point of Sale items such as posters and display cards is extremely interesting, both visually and from an historical perspective.”

If you can give a minimum of 7 hours Monday-Friday, are interested in advertising and marketing, have a keen eye for detail and have ICT skills, please get in touch with Project Manage, Karina.

Download the role description here.

By Karina Virahsawmy, Project Manager/Assistant Curator, Alfred Gillett Trust