Mission

“To use our extensive collection to inform, educate and entertain the public with the exciting developments in communication technology that have given rise to the way of life we enjoy today.”
If you can assist in any way with achieving our Mission Aims, we would be delighted to hear from you!

The Foundation

Front to back: Harry Matthews, Professor Colin Davidson & Trevor Clark at the foundations inaugural meeting.
Prof. Heinz Wolff, our late Patron. Sadly Heinz died on 16th December 2017- see www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42378765

In January 1992, the Museum of Communication Foundation Trust (MoCFT) was established, to provide a forum for people interested in communications and also to study the development of communication and IT, with emphasis on collecting, preserving and exhibiting artefacts that illustrate this development.

The Foundation is led by a Board of Directors drawn from the membership, who meet on a regular basis and manage all aspects of the Museum and its operations.

Current Board Members are:

  • Prof. Tom Stevenson (Chairman)
  • Marion McLean (Charity Secretary)
  • Andrew Starling (Treasurer)
  • Ken Horne (Vice Chairman)
  • Ian Archibald
  • John Blackie
  • Dorothy C. Brankin
  • David P. Pack

In January 1994, the Museum’s founder Harry Matthews, in a Deed of Gift, transferred ownership of his Collection to the MoCFT.

Harry’s death in February 2000 was a most severe blow. However, to Harry, the Foundation’s primary function was to perpetuate his life’s work, long after that life had expired. We are striving to prove ourselves equal to this task.

The Foundation has had a profound impact on the Museum. The involvement of specialists in many areas of communication has made restoration and preservation work possible. Comprehensive catalogues of the Collection and the Library are in hand.

With members in all parts of the UK and various corners of the world, not everyone can play an active role. However, ‘working holidays’ combined with a little sight-seeing have attracted members from France, Germany, Japan, Australia, the USA and ‘South of the Border’.

Membership of the Foundation is open to all and costs £15 pa (ordinary membership), £7.50 (unwaged) and £20 (group/family).

Foundation Timeline

The Timeline below was drafted in 2018. An updated Timeline will appear here in due course.

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2018

Our Summer Exhibition: 'Radio - From Gallipoli to the Gulf' runs from May until September, as usual. We take part in the Orkney Science Festival. The Goudie Lectures continue and still prove very popular. Several school visits take place during the year.

2017

Our Summer Exhibition 'Remember When...' runs from May until September, as usual. We take part in science festivals in Orkney and Biggar and also travel to Slovenia to present a lecture!

We introduce several groups/schools to the MoC and our popular Goudie Lecture programme continues throughout the year.

2016

Our Summer exhibition - Wartime Advances, Peacetime Applications - runs, as usual, from May until the end of September. Our regular Burntisland lectures and outreach activities, including a display at the Museum of Flight, continue. Further lectures are given during the Orkney International Science Festival in September.

2015

Our Summer exhibition - From Flanders Fields to Flying Bombs - runs from May until the end of September. Our regular lecture programme in Burntisland continues. A series of lectures takes place during the Orkney International Science Festival in September.

2014

Successful lecture programme continues. "From Flags to Flanders Fields" runs May – September. Outreach events across Fife and in Orkney throughout the year. Visits to schools take us over 700 miles. Visits from Scouts, Brownies and schools.

2013

Lecture programme grows in popularity. Outreach events and school workshops continue to develop. "All Our Yesterdays - Life Before the Mobile" opens in May and runs until September. Lectures given at the Orkney International Science Festival in Kirkwall and North Ronaldsay.

2013

Successful lecture programme continues. Outreach events and school workshops continue. Exhibition "Attention All Shipping" runs May - September. Lectures given at the British Science Festival in Aberdeen and the Orkney Science Festival in Kirkwall.

2012

Successful lecture programme continues. Outreach events and school workshops continue. Exhibition "Attention All Shipping" runs May - September. Lectures given at the British Science Festival in Aberdeen and the Orkney Science Festival in Kirkwall.

2011

"Words, Wires, Waves and the World Wide Web" exhibition traces the history of Communication from printing to the present day. Lecture programme continues. Roadshows and Workshops are held.

2010

MoC Roadshow launched in National Science & Engineering Week. Mary Somerville added to the "Great Scots" exhibition which is running for its second year. Lecture Programme continues.

2009

Launch of Lecture Programme by Professor Anne Glover, chief scientific advisor to the Scottish government. TV appearances on BBC2 and ITV. Full Accreditation awarded. "Great Scots Who Changed the World" exhibition.

2008
Summer

"Chips With Everything" exhibition, celebrating 50 years of the Integrated Circuit and 60 years of the Transistor.

2007
Summer

"From Big Band to Broadband" exhibition, demonstrating developments in communication technology from crystal sets to the internet. First phase of building restoration programme completed.

2006
Summer

"Get the Picture" exhibition on the theme of Television, in memory of the 60th anniversary of John Logie Baird's death

2005
May

Doors open to the public for the first time for brief WW2 display "VE+60".

2003
November

A permanent home at last! Purchase of our premises in Burntisland.

2000
March

Exhibition starts at the Tall Ship, Glasgow and runs until 2005

2000
February

Death of our founder, Harry Matthews.

1999

Due to company restructure, Saltire Court exhibition closes and artefacts return to store.

1997

ScottishTelecom "World of Communications" exhibition opens in Saltire Court, Edinburgh.

1996

Small display is set up at the Museum of Flight, East Fortune and runs until 2004

1995

Exhibition runs throughout the year at the Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston.

1994

Harry Matthews transfers ownership of his Collection to the MoCFT. Tenure of the Bo'ness premises expires and the Collection, now about 30 tonnes, goes into storage.

1993

Participation in the Edinburgh International Science Festival. The MoCFT becomes a registered company with charitable status and an Associate Member of the Scottish Museums Council.

1992
January

The Museum of Communication Foundation Trust (MoCFT) is established to safeguard the Collection.

1991

The first season-long exhibition opens in the Heritage Trust premises in Bo'ness.

1989

Harry Matthews receives an award from visiting Chinese museum delegates, one of only two awarded in the UK, the other goes to the Science Museum in London.

1987

The 16+ tonnes Collection moves to Bo'ness, at the invitation of Bo'ness Heritage Trust, for storage and future display.

1979

The Collection has now developed into the Museum of Communication and is growing rapidly.

1973

Harry Matthews starts his Wireless Collection by rescuing and restoring an old wireless.