INTRODUCTION

NARTM was formed over 40 years ago, bringing together folk who had as individuals or as a small group taken the initiative to care for examples of their local public transport heritage.  A key role of NARTM is to support the continuity of care of this heritage as society changes and the pioneers are no longer as active as they were. 

For a number of years NARTM was an informal organisation with the primary role of a forum to enable members to share ideas, experience and know-how through its meetings and quarterly newsletter.  During more recent years there have been many changes in the heritage sector, not least the advent of the Museum Accreditation Scheme, now administered by Arts Council England, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (“NLHF”), both of which organisations have had a  very positive impact on transport heritage as a whole.  In order to be able to take advantage of this opportunity NARTM member organisations, many of which are run on a voluntary basis, have sought to become more professional and formal in the way they are constituted and managed.

NARTM has been instrumental in this change, representing members’ interests to the NLHF and Government Departments, sharing information on management skills, policies and procedures leading in some cases to formal museum accreditation and helping new members to develop their own organisations.

NARTM has also become more formal.  It is now a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Articles of Association – which are available on request. The board consists of persons from member organisations who have many years’ experience and give their time, advice and resources freely.  NARTM membership has risen very rapidly from around 20 a few years  ago to almost 100 currently and represents the full spectrum from large public sector museums with full time staff such as the London Transport Museum to smaller volunteer run charities and museums, as well as individuals’ private collections. Between them they hold over 3,000 historic vehicles.

NARTM has compiled a database of known buses, coaches, trolleybuses, trams and commercial vehicles in preservation in the four countries of the UK. It gives an indication as to their condition and, where agreed with the owner, their location. This is updated regularly from information from its member organisations and other private owners.

GOVERNANCE

The NARTM board of directors, who are all trustees, is elected by its members. Officers appointed by the board include Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.  Other officers look after Membership, Database, Policies & Procedures, Public Affairs, “Newslink”, Museums Liaison and Website. The Board meets periodically between the members’ meetings to progress new initiatives and respond to consultations on proposed legislation changes.