Dear All,

I offer a few facts to clarify this matter, which is of some concern to 
myself as incumbent of the Wigan post for many years until July 1999.

Until 1990 Wigan Record Office was staffed by two professional posts, 
the Archivist (SO grade) and Assistant Archivist (Scale 5). The Office 
was then combined with the existing Museums and Local History Library 
sections to form a new Heritage Service (see current advert), the 
Archivist becoming Heritage Service Manager. Following the opening in 
1992 of the History Shop in Wigan (a combined local studies/genealogy 
library/museum/art gallery) and consequent reallocation of staff and 
resources, the Record Office in Leigh was staffed by the Assistant 
Archivist with some clerical support. Opening hours were reduced and 
the Assistant Archivist [myself] worked one day per week at the History 
Shop. 

Upon my departure in 1999 the post was degraded to Scales 3-5 in order, 
I suppose, to bring it into line with the curatorial posts (four of the 
seven Heritage Officers were Museums staff); I do not know what scale 
my successor was appointed on, but at any rate my interpretation of the 
current advert (my successor having recently departed), is that 
unqualified candidates may be considered at Scale 3. Presumably the 
Society assumed or was assured that qualified candidates would be 
appointed on at least Scale 4, though I suspect this is by no means the 
case. My recollection is that museums curators undertake their 
professional qualification whilst in post, thereby moving up to Scales 
4 and 5.

Bearing in mind that Wigan is one of the oldest and most respected of 
the ten Metropolitan archives services in Greater Manchester, holds 
collections of national importance and is one of only two diocesan 
repositories in the former County, it is from a purist's point of view  
regrettable that the professional standing of this post has been 
compromised and that the Society has accepted the current advert. On 
the other hand I think the Society should be offering help and 
constructive advice to Wigan (and other authorities where similar 
circumstances have arisen - Salford springs to mind) so that its 
archives policy can move forward.

Nicholas Webb    


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