Decision

To approve the external digitisation of three items relating to Cardinal Newman for the publication and use of the National Institute for Newman Studies

Reasons for the decision

Wiltshire & Swindon Archives (WSA) was approached in 2025 by the National Institute for Newman Studies (NINS) as they held on deposit three items relating to Cardinal Newman. The proposal from the NINS was to digitise these items and make them available on a database.

The purpose of the NINS is to bring together the archival legacy of Cardinal Saint John Henry Newman and his associates. It consists of a digital archive of more than 50,000 items from 25 different collections.

The archive items in question:
a. 2667/20/76 – Arundell Correspondence, 3 letters from Cardinal Newman and 1 from Cardinal Vaughan.
b. 2057/F4/52 – Wilton House and Estate Archives, Family and personal, correspondence. Letters to Lord and Lady Herbert of Lea, from Cardinal Vaughan and Cardinal Manning
c. 1498/33 – Engleheart Family papers, Cardinal Newman letters and other priests.

Permission to digitise and make available was sought from all three owners of the collections.

The digitisation will be carried out by ICAM Archive Services, a trusted partner of the WSA and the chosen digitisation partner of NINS.

The benefit to the archive service will be increased worldwide visibility and there is no financial responsibility.

See the attached document for considerations in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution.

Alternative options considered

Alternative methods of procurement have been considered and the decision taken to go to an RFQ to ensure the best provider is found.