Bournemouth museum postpones Jewish exhibition over safety fears
It was supposed to be running at the Russell-Cotes Museum from late November into the New Year
Last updated 11th Oct 2025
An exhibition on Jewish life in Bournemouth has been postponed due to security concerns.
It was meant to be running at The Russell-Cotes Museum grom November 25, 2025, to March 15, 2026.
However, emails released in a Freedom of Information request show concerns over security led to its postponement.
On May 23, museum manager Sarah Newman emailed councillor Kieron Wilson and museum Chair Stuart Bartholomew, asking to “discuss security issues around the scheduled Jewish exhibition.”
In an email on August 4 Sarah said, “I understand that they arrange for external security when they are hold events, but that would not be affordable or desirable over a 3-month exhibition run.” Councillor Andy Martin responded, “the safety of museum staff and the museum itself must clearly be the priority.” On August 5, Stuart Bartholomew added, “it is with the greatest reluctance that I believe the risk to staff and the gallery are too great for this to go ahead at this time.”
On August 8, Sarah wrote, “the board were concerned that this could be a target for protest and that potentially it could put the staff and the museum at risk.” She said the Community Security Trust (CST), a Jewish charity providing protection would be employed for security at the event, “I had not considered such measures would be thought necessary and might suggest that we would be required to provide security for the community and for our staff and visitors.”
Three options seem to have been considered: proceed and monitor, negotiate a shorter run with security, or postpone. Graham Farrant, BCP Chief Executive, and Cllr Martin supported postponement.
The decison to postpone the event appears to have been made on August 26, Sarah wrote in an email which said “With a heavy heart, I really don’t think this is a good time to be doing the exhibition (either for the Jewish community or for us) and I wonder if we should suggest a postponement till next Spring and maybe offer a shorter run which is more manageable. If security needs to be heightened or just say it is beyond our resources to safely deliver.”
In September the museum confirmed the exhibition would be postponed, at the time a spokesperson for the museum said “The exhibition has not been cancelled. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is an important heritage asset housing culturally significant art.
“In planning all exhibitions, we carefully assess any potential risks. We recognise this is a sensitive time and due to requirements related to this event, the museum has decided to postpone the exhibition and is working with the organisers to reschedule it for a later date. “
It is understood that the ‘requirements of the event’ relates to security.
A spokesperson later added “In the last couple of weeks, we have seen incidences of hate crime in the area. We are proud of our diverse communities across our three towns, and we condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said in a statement “We understand that the Russell-Cotes Museum in Bournemouth has cancelled an exhibition on the illustrious history of the city’s Jewish community, citing fears of ‘protest’ and ‘security risks'”.
A statement from Members of the Management Committee of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum said “We recognise this is a sensitive time and due to requirements related to this event, the museum trustee decided to postpone the exhibition after much consideration. This was not a decision made due to any external pressure.”
The statement confirms that the exhibition will now be held from October 2026.
On October 9, a spokesperson for the museum said: “Conversations around the safety and security of visitors, staff, the museum and its exhibits take place as part of the planning for every event scheduled at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.”