Charlie Lawton-Lay
National Trust
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WORK HISTORY
@National Trust
Each summer since 2022, I play a key role in a small team managing, presenting and caring for an internationally important collection including ceramics, metalware, textiles, furniture, and paintings, often by significant Arts and Crafts and Pre-Raphaelite creatives, and uniquely displayed together in their intended domestic context. I work with staff to carry out and organise deep cleans and targeted interventions and take the initiative, often working independently to ensure we keep to a tight schedule. I am also trusted to guide new volunteers.Across the collection, I sensitively handle objects and undertake preventative conservation cleaning, polishing and packaging, while following National Trust best practice at all times. My commitment and attention to detail was demonstrated when I discovered a series of pencil messages that helped to date some features of the house. I contextualised my findings with detailed archival research, leading to two articles in the official property newsletter.Many of my tasks are undertaken under public view, and I regularly engage with visitors through \'Conservation in Action\' events, even when working independently, describing conservation processes, and tackling misconceptions, while also remaining productive.I also have experience in collections paperwork and cataloguing at Wightwick-reviewing and writing up ROMPOC (Review Of Maintenance, Plan Of Care) sheets on certain items-Assisting the Collections Officer with inventory checks-Systematically cataloguing 50+ photographs in the significant Mander Family collection, and shedding light on the images by identifying buildings and leading Liberal Party politicians depicted.
EDUCATION
University of Chester
Bachelor of Arts - BA
University of Chester
Master of Science - MS, Museums and Heritage Practice
ABOUT CHARLIE LAWTON-LAY
A dynamic, award-winning early career professional in the research, management and presentation of archaeological/historic collections and places. With a passion for detail and innovative approaches, underpinned by knowledge of established methods, I sustain best practice and uncover overlooked details and stories to great effect.In 2025, I graduated with a 1:1 Archaeology with History degree, and a module average of 89%. My original and outstanding work includes nationally significant research and artistic interpretation on representing the neurodivergent past, displayed at Chester\'s Grosvenor Museum (graded 96% through a critical discussion article). I have also produced reports and studies, notably my dissertation, which used a landscape approach to uncover a forgotten Iron Age and Roman settlement pattern across county boundaries in the Black Country (graded 92%), as well as a mock excavations report (94%) and desk-based assessments and research plans (93%).Beyond this, my practical archaeological and heritage experience spans nationally significant sites and collections, including Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton (National Trust), Black Country Living Museum, Grosvenor Museum and Norton Priory, Runcorn. I additionally seek to create strong engagement through partnerships. As president of the University of Chester Archaeology Society, I found new ways to engage and reach out through collaborative sessions, growing memberships by 300% in the process. I now take this experience forward as a member of several heritage boards with a remit to consider and promote engagement for young people in the sector. Overall, I am defined by strong practical skills across archaeology, heritage and the historic environment sectors, and an exceptional ability to look outside the box and develop theory where needed. I\'m excited to consider any opportunities related to archaeology, collections, heritage management and community engagement in the English west midlands and north west, and in across Wales.
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