---
title: Blog - Advice and insight into all things digitisation & archives | April Mathie-Dowling
description: Latest news about UK digitisation & archives projects, expert advice on digitising, and insight from frontline information professionals.
---

[![TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked.png?width=260&name=TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked.png)](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/)

[![TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked.png?width=260&name=TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked.png)](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/)

[![USE QUOTE CALCULATOR](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2351684/56d4945e-1152-47db-9f08-37cd61531382.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2351684/56d4945e-1152-47db-9f08-37cd61531382)

- [Digitisation](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/) 
    - [Bound Volume Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/bound-volume-collections/)
    - Registers, guard books, journals, diaries and more
    - [Archive Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/archive-collections/)
    - From index cards, maps, posters and reports to letters
    - [Photograph Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/photograph-collections/)
    - All 35mm slides, glass plates, transparencies & photos
    - [Film Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/film-collections/)
    - Including aperture cards, microfilm and microfiche
    - [Audio Visual Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/audio-visual-collections/)
    - From Betamax, compact audio cassette and CD to VHS
    - [3-Dimensional Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/3-dimensional-collections/)
    - Including 3D and 2D object photography and VR tours
- [Data Capture](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/datacapture/) 
    - [Audio Visual Transcription](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/datacapture/audio-transcription/)
    - Make audio searchable by transcribing content to text
    - [Handwritten Text Recognition](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/datacapture/handwritten-text-recognition-htr/)
    - Make handwritten text searchable through automatic text recognition
    - [Optical Character Recognition](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/ocr-scanning-service/)
    - Make typed text searchable with accurate data capture
    - [Data Entry](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/datacapture/data-entry/)
    - Make ambiguous records fully searchable with data entry
    - [Handwritten Transcription](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/metadata-transcription-service/)
    - Make handwritten text searchable through transcription
- [Publishing](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/publishing/) 
    - [Digital Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/archive-management-software/pastview/welcome-to-pastview)
    - Manage, publish and share digital collections online
    - [Digital Records](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/archive-management-software/chronicle-cemetery-management/)
    - Reimagine the digital management of cemetery records
    - [Virtual Tours](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/virtual-reality-tour/)
    - Bring internal spaces to life digitally with a VR Tour
- [Industry](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/) 
    - [Academic](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/academic/)
    - Futureproof education with digitally enabling online resources
    - [Bereavement Services](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/bereavement/)
    - Counter operational costs with digital control and management
    - [Business and Corporate](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/business-and-corporate/)
    - Protect brand value & discover the power of digital management
    - [Cultural Heritage](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/cultural-heritage/)
    - Harness the value of collections with financial autonomy
    - [Public Sector](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/public-sector/)
    - Combat damage and loss with robust digital duplicates
    - [Military](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/military/)
    - Respectfully and globally mark significant figures and conflicts
- [About](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/about) 
    - [Our Vision & Mission](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/about-us#vision-mission)
    - Supporting collections to thrive in the digital landscape
    - [Our Values](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/about-us#values)
    - Integrity, Empathy and Truth – Our commitment to you
    - [Meet The Team](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/about-us#team)
    - Dedication with a personal touch – names and faces!
    - [Careers](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/recruitment/)
    - Passionate about culture and heritage? Join the team!
    - [TWA Digitisation Grant History](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation-funding-grant/grant-history/)
    - From our very first winners to our latest success stories
    - [Partners](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/partners)
    - Trusted organisations offering associated services
- [Our Work](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/our-work)
- [Blog](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/)
- [Contact](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/contact/)

[![USE QUOTE CALCULATOR](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2351684/56d4945e-1152-47db-9f08-37cd61531382.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2351684/56d4945e-1152-47db-9f08-37cd61531382)

[![TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked.png?width=260&name=TownsWeb-Archiving-Logo-Black-Stacked.png)](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/)

- [Digitisation](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/) 
    - [Bound Volume Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/bound-volume-collections/)
    - Registers, guard books, journals, diaries and more
    - [Archive Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/archive-collections/)
    - From index cards, maps, posters and reports to letters
    - [Photograph Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/photograph-collections/)
    - All 35mm slides, glass plates, transparencies & photos
    - [Film Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/film-collections/)
    - Including aperture cards, microfilm and microfiche
    - [Audio Visual Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/audio-visual-collections/)
    - From Betamax, compact audio cassette and CD to VHS
    - [3-Dimensional Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation/3-dimensional-collections/)
    - Including 3D and 2D object photography and VR tours
- [Data Capture](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/datacapture/) 
    - [Audio Visual Transcription](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/datacapture/audio-transcription/)
    - Make audio searchable by transcribing content to text
    - [Handwritten Text Recognition](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/datacapture/handwritten-text-recognition-htr/)
    - Make handwritten text searchable through automatic text recognition
    - [Optical Character Recognition](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/ocr-scanning-service/)
    - Make typed text searchable with accurate data capture
    - [Data Entry](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/datacapture/data-entry/)
    - Make ambiguous records fully searchable with data entry
    - [Handwritten Transcription](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/metadata-transcription-service/)
    - Make handwritten text searchable through transcription
- [Publishing](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/publishing/) 
    - [Digital Collections](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/archive-management-software/pastview/welcome-to-pastview)
    - Manage, publish and share digital collections online
    - [Digital Records](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/archive-management-software/chronicle-cemetery-management/)
    - Reimagine the digital management of cemetery records
    - [Virtual Tours](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/virtual-reality-tour/)
    - Bring internal spaces to life digitally with a VR Tour
- [Industry](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/) 
    - [Academic](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/academic/)
    - Futureproof education with digitally enabling online resources
    - [Bereavement Services](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/bereavement/)
    - Counter operational costs with digital control and management
    - [Business and Corporate](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/business-and-corporate/)
    - Protect brand value & discover the power of digital management
    - [Cultural Heritage](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/cultural-heritage/)
    - Harness the value of collections with financial autonomy
    - [Public Sector](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/public-sector/)
    - Combat damage and loss with robust digital duplicates
    - [Military](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/industry/military/)
    - Respectfully and globally mark significant figures and conflicts
- [About](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/about) 
    - [Our Vision & Mission](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/about-us#vision-mission)
    - Supporting collections to thrive in the digital landscape
    - [Our Values](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/about-us#values)
    - Integrity, Empathy and Truth – Our commitment to you
    - [Meet The Team](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/about-us#team)
    - Dedication with a personal touch – names and faces!
    - [Careers](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/recruitment/)
    - Passionate about culture and heritage? Join the team!
    - [TWA Digitisation Grant History](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation-funding-grant/grant-history/)
    - From our very first winners to our latest success stories
    - [Partners](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/partners)
    - Trusted organisations offering associated services
- [Our Work](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/our-work)
- [Blog](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/)
- [Contact](https://www.townswebarchiving.com/contact/)

## Where to get started

Are you planning your next digitisation project, or are you just after some inspiration? Well, you’re in the right place!

 

[Advice & Resources](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation-advice-and-resources) <https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/digitisation-advice-and-resources> 

<https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/tag/how-to-digitise>

<https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/tag/how-to-digitise>[How To Digitise Guides](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/how-to-digitise) <https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/how-to-digitise>

[Digitisation Tools](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/tag/digitisation-tool) <https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/tag/digitisation-tool>

[Customer Stories](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/tag/case-study) <https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/tag/events>

[TWA Digitisation Grant News](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/tag/twa-digitisation-grant) <https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/tag/twa-digitisation-grant>

[Digital Access & Discovery](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/pastview) <https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/pastview>

# Blog

## April Mathie-Dowling

### Recent Posts

[![Square Blog Thumbnail (26)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/Square%20Blog%20Thumbnail%20(26).jpg)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/digitising-glyndebournes-opera-archive)

## [Glyndebourne, Benjamin Britten and the Making of an Opera](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/digitising-glyndebournes-opera-archive)

| September 28th, 2026 |
| --- |

We sat down with Philip Boot, Archivist at Glyndebourne, to discuss the materials digitised by TownsWeb Archiving as part of Glyndebourne’s 2025 TownsWeb Digitisation Grant win.

With over 150 years of unique heritage, HSBC's new History website will act as a single point of reference for employees and customers, facilitating access, research, exploration and discovery for the story of HSBC’s incredible journey.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/digitising-glyndebournes-opera-archive)

[![Screenshot 2026-09-03 131830](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-09-03%20131830.png)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/preserving-the-peregrine-the-j.a.-baker-digitisation-project)

## [University of Essex | The J.A. Baker Digitisation Project](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/preserving-the-peregrine-the-j.a.-baker-digitisation-project)

| September 3rd, 2026 |
| --- |

We are proud to share the completion of a fantastic recent project: the digitisation of the J.A. Baker archive, held by the University of Essex.

With over 150 years of unique heritage, HSBC's new History website will act as a single point of reference for employees and customers, facilitating access, research, exploration and discovery for the story of HSBC’s incredible journey.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/preserving-the-peregrine-the-j.a.-baker-digitisation-project)

[![Square Blog Thumbnail (25)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/Square%20Blog%20Thumbnail%20(25).jpg)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/putting-britains-birds-on-the-map-digitising-a-landmark-citizen-science-project)

## [Putting Britain’s Birds on the Map: Digitising a Landmark Citizen Science Project](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/putting-britains-birds-on-the-map-digitising-a-landmark-citizen-science-project)

| July 15th, 2026 |
| --- |

Discover how the British Trust for Ornithology is digitising historic maps from the Common Birds Census to preserve fragile records and unlock valuable data on UK bird populations.

With over 150 years of unique heritage, HSBC's new History website will act as a single point of reference for employees and customers, facilitating access, research, exploration and discovery for the story of HSBC’s incredible journey.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/putting-britains-birds-on-the-map-digitising-a-landmark-citizen-science-project)

[![1 WEEK TO GO](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/Square%20Blog%20Thumbnail%20(4).jpg)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/twa-digitisation-grant-2026-1-week-to-go)

## [TWA Digitisation Grant 2026: 1 Week To Go!](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/twa-digitisation-grant-2026-1-week-to-go)

| May 29th, 2026 |
| --- |

There's just 1 week to go before applications close on 5th June 2026, at 5pm – don’t miss your chance to fund your digitisation project!

With over 150 years of unique heritage, HSBC's new History website will act as a single point of reference for employees and customers, facilitating access, research, exploration and discovery for the story of HSBC’s incredible journey.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/twa-digitisation-grant-2026-1-week-to-go)

[![Square Blog Thumbnail (3)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/Square%20Blog%20Thumbnail%20(3).jpg)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/twa-digitisation-grant-2026-judges-top-tips-to-make-your-application-stand-out)

## [TWA Digitisation Grant 2026: Judges Top Tips to Make Your Application Stand Out](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/twa-digitisation-grant-2026-judges-top-tips-to-make-your-application-stand-out)

| May 15th, 2026 |
| --- |

To help you maximize your chances of having a successful TWA Digitisation Grant application, find out what our panel of 2026 judges are looking for!

With over 150 years of unique heritage, HSBC's new History website will act as a single point of reference for employees and customers, facilitating access, research, exploration and discovery for the story of HSBC’s incredible journey.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/twa-digitisation-grant-2026-judges-top-tips-to-make-your-application-stand-out)

[![IMG\_2595 (1)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/IMG_2595%20(1).jpg)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/museums-heritage-awards-2026)

## [Museums + Heritage Awards 2026](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/museums-heritage-awards-2026)

| May 14th, 2026 |
| --- |

Museums + Heritage Awards 2026 | TownsWeb Archiving Shortlisted for Business of the Year

With over 150 years of unique heritage, HSBC's new History website will act as a single point of reference for employees and customers, facilitating access, research, exploration and discovery for the story of HSBC’s incredible journey.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/museums-heritage-awards-2026)

[![Screenshot 2026-09-15 151041](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-09-15%20151041.png)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/behind-the-lens-digitising-cultural-heritage-at-the-photographers-gallery)

## [Behind the Lens: Digitising Cultural Heritage at The Photographers’ Gallery](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/behind-the-lens-digitising-cultural-heritage-at-the-photographers-gallery)

| April 15th, 2026 |
| --- |

On the 11th April, a presentation at The Photographers’ Gallery pulled back the curtain on a part of photography most people never see: the meticulous, highly technical world of cultural heritage digitisation.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/behind-the-lens-digitising-cultural-heritage-at-the-photographers-gallery)

[![TWA Birthday Shoutout Template (GIF) (21)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/TWA%20Birthday%20Shoutout%20Template%20(GIF)%20(21).jpg)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/rescuing-a-global-archive-digitising-the-imperial-institute-photographic-collection-at-the-university-of-exeter)

## [Rescuing a Global Archive: Digitising the Imperial Institute Photographic Collection at the University of Exeter](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/rescuing-a-global-archive-digitising-the-imperial-institute-photographic-collection-at-the-university-of-exeter)

| April 7th, 2026 |
| --- |

Discover how the University of Exeter is digitising a rare photographic archive from the Imperial Institute, preserving fragile glass plate negatives and opening new research into imperial history.

With over 150 years of unique heritage, HSBC's new History website will act as a single point of reference for employees and customers, facilitating access, research, exploration and discovery for the story of HSBC’s incredible journey.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/rescuing-a-global-archive-digitising-the-imperial-institute-photographic-collection-at-the-university-of-exeter)

[![Heritage connect 2026](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/hubfs/Heritage%20connect%202026.jpg)](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/highlights-from-heritage-day-2026-heritage-connects)

## [Highlights from Heritage Day 2026: Heritage Connects](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/highlights-from-heritage-day-2026-heritage-connects)

| March 13th, 2026 |
| --- |

Read our recap of Heritage Day 2026: Heritage Connects, where TownsWeb Archiving explored archive digitisation, heritage preservation, and collaboration across the sector.

With over 150 years of unique heritage, HSBC's new History website will act as a single point of reference for employees and customers, facilitating access, research, exploration and discovery for the story of HSBC’s incredible journey.

[Read the Article](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/highlights-from-heritage-day-2026-heritage-connects)

[1](https://blog.townswebarchiving.com/author/april-mathie-dowling/page/1)

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