Director's Blog - Top things to look forward to in 2022
Well, 2021 ended on a high note for the Museum with a record retail Christmas (2% better even than 2019), helped by 423 pairs of our new Routemaster pyjamas sold in just 14 days! Now, with our winter wonderland and decorations packed away, and the end of a grey January in sight, there’s a lot to look forward to, not least the days lengthening out and green shoots appearing as Omicron ebbs away. We remain cautious and continue to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff, but we’re excited to be able to plan for a full spectrum public programme this year.
Our eagerly anticipated new exhibition Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workforce opens on 11 February 2022, and illustrates the long-term influence on London’s transport, culture and society of London Transport direct recruitment from the Caribbean in the 1950s and 60s. In response to staff shortages in London and a lack of jobs in the Caribbean, London Transport worked with the government of Barbados in 1956 to directly recruit staff. This scheme later extended to Jamaica and Trinidad, running until 1970.
In the exhibition, we chart the many challenges the recruits found in London on arrival – weather, unfamiliar jobs, even racism and discrimination – and how they adapted to their new lives. We celebrate their contribution to London, using testimony from first, second and third generation transport workers, photographs and posters, never-before-displayed objects and new films. The exhibition will be complemented by a programme of events, including half term activities for families from 12-20 February 2022, and a Friday Late on 18 March 2022.
In-person Hidden London tours have finally returned, offering unique experiences of disused stations and hidden spaces underground. Tickets sold out quickly but you can look out for more tickets being released throughout the year, and get ahead by subscribing to our enewsletter.
The new Elizabeth line will open in the first half of the year and the huge stations and long platforms trains will make a huge impact on the passenger experience and capacity of the Tube network. You can get a sneak preview of the new line in our Hidden London Hangouts series, set to return to YouTube soon with Season 5. And of course we can’t wait for the second season of the hugely successful Secrets of the London Undeground UKTV series to hit our screens.
In the spring, we will open our Museum Depot in Acton once more for an extended weekend of talks, and the chance to browse the London Transport Museum Friends stalls and of course ride our much-loved London Transport Miniature Railway. Until then, you can join one of our Depot guided tours, Design Icons, Art and poster store, and Depot discovery on various dates until November 2022.
We are also planning to resume our popular heritage vehicle operations. There is much to do before we can realise our commitment to operating vintage vehicles, as they have stood idle for over two years. Watch this space.
Thank you for sticking with us – we really value the support we have had from visitors and donors, Friends and volunteers which, with massive help from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund and Transport for London, has kept us on track over the past two years. Your support encourages and enables us to rebuild our full range of unique experiences and events this year. Come and join us in Covent Garden and Acton, and make it a happy new year.
