2025 Annual Conference of the ARCHIVES & RECORDS Association.

We were proud to exhibit at the Archives and Records Association’s first-ever hybrid Conference, held in the vibrant city of Bristol. With the theme “Next Generation: Innovation and Imagination in Recordkeeping,” this year’s event brought together professionals, visionaries, and changemakers from across the sector to explore how we can shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking future for archives and records.

TownsWeb Archiving was delighted to be part of the exhibition floor, where our stand became a hub for conversation, curiosity, and collaboration. We connected with archivists, records managers, and heritage professionals to discuss the latest in digitisation technology, preservation strategies, and how digital access can empower communities and institutions alike.

Announcing The TWA Digitisation Grant 2025 Winners

One of the highlights of our time at the conference was the announcement of the three winners of the TWA Digitisation Grant 2025 - an initiative designed to support organisations in unlocking the potential of their collections through digitisation.

The announcement was hosted by Casper Smithson, our Chief Operating Officer, alongside John Chambers, Chief Executive of the Archives and Records Association and one of this year’s grant judges, and John Wallace, Account Manager at TownsWeb. 

So, Who Are The Winners?

We were thrilled to announce the three winners of our 2025 TWA Digitisation Grant, who are:

• University of Essex
• The Fusilier Museum
• Glyndebourne

Read more about our three winners and their successful applications here.

Huge congratulations to our three winners! We were inspired by the calibre of applications received this year and deeply moved by the stories behind the collections. From community archives to institutional treasures, the winners demonstrated how digitisation can illuminate hidden histories, foster accessibility, and preserve cultural heritage for generations to come.

The announcement was also live streamed via our YouTube channel, and you can watch the recording below:

Watch the winners announcement, recorded live at the ARA Conference 2025.

Our ARA Prize Draw Winner!

We were delighted to run a prize draw during the ARA conference and want to thank everyone who took part. We’re pleased to announce that the winner is:

• Fran Tate, Assistant Archivist at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple!
  
  

Congratulations, Fran! We hope you enjoy your prize of a luxury M&S hamper, and thank you once again to everyone who entered. (Watch our live draw video here).

As we reflect on our time at the ARA 2025 Conference, we’re energised by the conversations we had, the ideas we exchanged, and the future we’re helping to build together. Whether through grants, partnerships, or innovation in digitisation, TownsWeb Archiving remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of recordkeepers.

Following the winners announcement, our Match Funding Pot opened, closing on 10th October 2025.

For every eligible application received, £500 has been added to our pot. Once open, eligible applicants can request matched funding - meaning we’ll double any amount contributed by yourselves, up to £1,000 (e.g. contribute £1,000, receive £1,000 from us).

Congratulations again to our three winners, we're very much looking forward to working on your digitisation projects!