Lauren Broxton

14/04/2026

Last nights full council was explosive, with a number of councillors who were either stepping down or not chosen to stand, addressing the council with powerful speeches and a reminder of the duty councillors have to their residents. Councillor Sarah Jane Cooper gave an emotional reminder of the inseparable nature of leather from the soul of the town and a formidable reminder of what happens when policy and pleas are carelessly abandoned, when procedure is left at the back foot of control. Cllr Wasab turned to the galleries to talk of the bullying and intimidation that had notoriously dominated Walsall Politics for decades, addressing the glib of those hiding behind superficiality whilst staying (through force or choice) on the issues dearest to residents’ hearts. Cllr Suky Samra spoke of a collective lack of moral compass in favour of self-preservation rife in the chambers, leaving us with one clear message: Walsall NEEDS change. And on May 7th, there is a window of opportunity to do just that.

The Leather Museum campaign has lifted a lid on an ugliness that has haunted Walsall for years, forced it out naked and vulnerable to a community and a town that simply won’t take it any longer. Last night, campaign members turned out for another time - as we will continue to do until decisions about our most definitive legacy is given the duty, care and process it demands. If there is one thing we ask: it is to use your vote this year. Our futures depend on it.

13/04/2026

The Future of Walsall Leather belongs to The Custodians.

‘A Certain Type’ - documenting the lives, stories, places and pride of Walsall Leatherworkers past and present through intimate and poignant tin type photography by in collaboration with . Made possible through the generous funding from and .

Coming Soon.

[Debut Exhibition launching Autumn 2026. Stay tuned for details featuring exclusive contemporary Leatherworking masterclasses]

10/04/2026

02/04/2026

Imagine hating us for ruining your quiet little plans and we’re all here having a great old time at a leather heritage protest.

It’s been nearly a week since around 200 people gathered in Walsall to express their outrage at Walsall Council’s outrageous plans to close Walsall Leather Museum with zero transparency, published plans, accountability and meaningful community engagement.

I still can’t quite comprehend just how monumental last Saturday felt. A poignant reminder that community is not an element that can be cultivated with funds and corporations: it’s an organic phenomenon that happens when the chips are down and the people show up. Whatever happens from here on - I promise that I will work to preserve the heritage of my hometown : the stories, the legacy and the people who made it. I can’t promise a quick an easy win but I can guarantee persistence, stubbornness and sheer bloody mindedness. A million thank yous to all who came to support.

31/03/2026

Our Walsall how did we do on footfall? We couldn’t get an exact figure because we switched to manual counting…

31/03/2026

An excellent article from Museums Association covering the protest and wider democratic issues at stake that the Leather Museum scandal has lifted a lid on:

Excerpt: “'That this is being celebrated as the remedy that was planned all along is not only last minute damage limitation but merely a sticking plaster on a colossal mishandling of our definitive cultural heritage,” said Boys.

“This is no longer a single issue campaign but rather one that has lifted the lid on historic failings by our council that spans failure to consult in line with protocol, breach of policy, reluctance to engage meaningfully with residents and bogus scrutiny.”

https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2026/03/mp-joins-protest-against-relocation-of-walsall-leather-museum/?fbclid=IwdGRleAQ4pI1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeSWxflBCwj-Q93rolGB01AEoMOnWgh7HmCNu1Kq01eih1vGkGP322vt47ryI_aem_UKrEh2Tk7uBw9Qu6rfud6

Campaigners say decision ‘has lifted the lid on historic failings by our council’

29/03/2026

An ASTONISHING turn out yesterday. Estimates from headcount’s around 150-200 people turned out to demonstrate by statue of the O.G. Walsall campaigner Sister Dora to make their feelings known about the controversial decision and contentious transactions undertaken by Walsall Council and Walsall College to close Walsall Leather Museum. Amongst myself, we had speeches from fellow campaigners - Linda Boys, who has spent over 40 years working in community engagement and has been instrumental to navigating democratic process. Vicky Roden spoke of the importance of museums provision in Walsall that have been instrumental to not only her creative practice as an artist, but also the social value museums bring via skills cultivation, health and well-being and community cohesion. Valerie Vaz MP spoke of her ongoing efforts with ministers and government departments, inspiring hope in the crowds that neither she nor we are backing down anytime soon. Leatherworkers came from around the country including Zoe Louise Smith who started her training in Walsall and knows all too well the importance of retaining accessible leather heritage. A huge thank you to my dear friend Yusuf Osman for coming all the way up from London to support and capture the day and for leading a leather rave outside the museum.

My heart is full. A wonderful day with such a diverse range of voices all coming together to pledge their support for Walsall’s inimitable leather heritage - a heritage that is so crucial to UK leatherworking heritage. A heritage that, without, the leather industry would not be what it is today. A heritage who’s future still lies very much in the balance.

We shan’t give up. We continue to work towards a future that provides the necessary training for youngsters to succeed in artisan and heritage craft whilst preserving and honouring the stories of those who built it.

28/03/2026

One day, my feed will be full of wonderful bespoke pieces again but today is not that day. Today is a day for protest, after 15 months of gruelling campaigning, rallying, lobbying, proposing, negotiating, scrutinising and just about everything else. The strength of feeling around the planned closure for Walsall Leather Museum in its historic and culturally significant location is evidenced not only in the (still growing) number of people adding weight and credence to the widespread concern but also the fact that WE’RE STILL GOING. And we’re not going away until we have answers, fairness and democratic process. A huge thank you to for showcasing use twice yesterday on the breakfast show and evening news. If you can, please come and join with us from 1pm today in Walsall for a 1.30pm march to the museum. The democracy deficit ends here.

27/03/2026

Locals have expressed their pride after it was announced Bilston was entering the running to be crowned the first ever UK Town of Culture in 2028.
More: https://bbc.in/4tfMglW

27/03/2026

TOMORROW: 28/03/26: PROTEST AGAINST THE LEATHER MUSEUM CLOSURE: USE YOUR VOICE
1pm SISTER DORA STATUE WALSALL
Tomorrow we meet in Walsall for what could be the final protest ahead of the planned closure on 11th April - just two weeks away.

After 15 months of gruelling campaigning, rallying industry, community, academia, attempting a scrutiny so scandalously missing in local Walsall politics, mass media scrutiny, protest, petitioning. The journey has been toiling but the impact lasting. There has never been a single moment in Walsall’s politics and community over the last 20 years where residents have been so mobilised to action - to do something to counter the horrendous governance we’ve been subject to within that time.

Nine people made this decision. A decision that affects 280,000 in what is now one of the most deprived parts of the country. A decision that should have gone to full council. A decision that has had any meaningful scrutiny, consultation and documentation blocked. We cannot go on like this any longer.

Whether you care for heritage or you care for decent, honest and transparent decision making that affects us all. Now is the time to take a stand.

Yesterday, I completely fell apart in front of multiple leaders from my industry who have been overwhelmingly supportive of the cause. I’m glad I did. People need to see the devastation and trauma this is causing to communities that is so deeply written into most policies and social responsibilities these days. But in that breaking, I vowed one thing. I will continue to stand with my community: I will continue to back them, rep for them and be a voice for those who can’t always shout or don’t have as big a trap as me. I will continue to stand with my community until justice is served, accountability held and something that looks like democracy arrives.

Will you stand with me?

Let us know if you’re coming.

25/03/2026

Flicking through some old articles so that I could get some pictures of some of our built heritage we’ve watched burning away, I came across this article. If the politics of Walsall seem like something from a bad dream of dystopian novel - fear not. We’ve been plagued with it for decades. This was written nearly 15 years ago - just as I was starting my career - yet it rings out just as true today as it did then.

One of my campaigners pointed out yesterday that the issues I’ve been highlighting and touching upon in my campaigning stretch back systematically an entire decade before I was born. This one sums it neatly: burning buildings, inconvenient listings, regeneration bosses coming from around the country to spend the millions endowed and promising some sort of renaissance before they do one…so to speak. Voter apathy, political upheaval. Communities left out. And that’s before we’ve even got to the whole suspension/return scandal. Maybe a more frugal person would have given up by now. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel completely disheartened at points. But campaigning is rarely won with an instant win. It’s the small, repetitive motions that lead to the big wins. It’s the showing up daily that starts to spark change in the crowd. Our authorities have had us just as they want us for too long: apathetic, deprived, disengaged. How much longer can we go on like this?

For as long as we continue, it’s about protecting the museum, our heritage. For as long as we continue, it’s about protecting the building. But most of all - for as long as we continue - this is about forcing change in an ugly political system that has characterised Walsall for far too long. We can’t rewrite history but we can sure as hell write the future.

https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/david-mahony-landmarks-burn-down-3910454?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button -readmore-target

Last week the landmark BOAK building in Walsall went up in flames, the latest in a string of devastating fires.