INSTITUTE OF HISTORIC BUILDING CONSERVATION YEARBOOK
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2 Handmade Woodfired The vast majority of bricks manufactured today are fired using gas, oil or coal. However before 1800 wood was the main kiln fuel. glazes that form on the bricks during firing. For ultra authentic matching of brickwork on older buildings wood fired bricks are often the best choice. All of our wood fired bricks are hand made and are dried and fired using wood sourced locally. This means that our bricks are not only beautiful to look at, but the complete absence of fossil fuels in their production ensures they are close to being carbon neutral. The Brickworks, Bellingdon, Chesham Buckinghamshire HP5 2UR Tel: 01494 758212 www.hgmatthews.com info@hgmatthews.com H.G.Matthews Traditional brickmakers Est. 1923 Reigniting a Lost Art Heritage Quality new build conservation A beautiful and unique side effect of wood burning is the natural
3 CONTENTS THE INSTITUTE OF HISTORIC BUILDING CONSERVATION www.ihbc.org.uk Registered as a charity in England and Wales number 1061593 and in Scotland number SC041945 Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England number 3333780 REGISTERED AND BUSINESS OFFICE Jubilee House, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6HA Tel 01747 873133 Email admin@ihbc.org.uk The institute cannot accept responsibility for the acts or omissions of any member, associate, affiliate or HESPR company and accordingly the institute shall not be liable for any loss or damage or other matter arising from the employment or engagement of any member. IHBC YEARBOOK We gratefully acknowledge the support of firms whose advertisements appear throughout this publication. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this yearbook is current and correct, neither the IHBC nor the publisher can be held responsible for any errors or omissions which may occur. All rights reserved. The title of the IHBC Yearbook is and shall remain the absolute property of the institute. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recordings, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the institute. This 2023 edition has been prepared for the Communications & Outreach Committee by the IHBC National Office with the help of Cathedral Communications Limited. For additional copies of the IHBC Yearbook please contact the Business Office. EDITOR Jonathan Taylor COVER ILLUSTRATION Front cover: Turbine Hall A at Battersea Powerstation (Photo: Jonathan Taylor) The IHBC Yearbook is published and produced by Cathedral Communications Limited, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6HA Tel 01747 871717 Email ihbc@cathcomm.co.uk www.buildingconservation.com Copyright 2023 Cathedral Communications Limited ISBN 978 1 912747 15 3 Foreword Lord Parkinson 5 STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP What is the IHBC? 6 Structure of the IHBC 7 Elected and appointed officers 8 Branch areas 9 Membership of the IHBC 10 REVIEW AND ANALYSIS Welcome Mike Brown 15 Chair’s review David McDonald 16 Director’s update Seán O’Reilly 17 Unpacking ‘sustainability’ Jonathan Taylor 21 Climate change connections Ruth Knight and Alex Kent 22 The journey to sustainability in heritage Peter Cox 27 Circus eruption and the conversion of a Swansea church Karen Chalk and Alfie Stroud 30 Climate change: learning from the past May Cassar 35 Living legends: conserving our tree heritage in a time of climate crisis Adam Cormak 37 DIRECTORY HESPR companies 42 IHBC promotions and publications 44 Directory of members 44 USEFUL INFORMATION Learning support in a changing climate Anna Hart 87 IHBC-recognised courses 90 National organisations 91 Local authority contacts 93 Products and services 98 Specialist suppliers index 104 DIRECTORY OF MEMBERS To protect the personal data of IHBC members, and in accordance with UK GDPR, the Directory of Members (pages 45–87) has been removed from this online version of the IHBC Yearbook. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
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5 FOREWORD AS MINISTER for Arts and Heritage, I am proud to champion the vital role that heritage can play in transforming places and communities. Travelling across the country, I have seen at first hand the profound and immediate impact that conserving our historic buildings and gardens can have in regenerating places, both urban and rural. Putting culture and heritage at the heart of the community creates great places to live, work and visit. Championing heritage brings joy, improves the quality of life, gives people a sense of pride in their area and its history, brings people together and provokes curiosity about our past. The government, our national agencies, local authorities and the brilliant people who work and volunteer in the sector all play a role in helping to support and develop our nation’s heritage. The government warmly appreciates the expertise of heritage bodies such as the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and welcomes their dedication and invaluable contribution to this important issue. High streets lie at the heart of our communities and must be protected; an issue thrown into relief when we were cut off from them during the dark months of the pandemic. The government is supporting our high streets through funding schemes such as Historic England’s £95 million High Street Heritage Action Zones and the £15 million Transforming Places Through Heritage programme delivered through the Architectural Heritage Fund. Through schemes such as these, we are breathing life back into our high streets and the historic buildings which adorn them. The Heritage Action Zones are supporting the economic growth and regeneration of 67 towns across England by improving their physical and economic condition, as well as increasing community and investor confidence, social cohesion and pride in place. Their work is amplified by a £7 million cultural programme, delivered by Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which brings local residents and arts organisations together to deliver community-led cultural activities on our high streets. As well as being a source of beauty and national pride, our heritage is an important part of building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. Key to this is ensuring that the right balance is struck between achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions and protecting our heritage. The UK has one of the oldest building stocks in Europe. In order to reach our ambitious net zero goals, it is vital that we keep these buildings in use to contain their embedded carbon dioxide and make them energy efficient. But this is not just about buildings. It is about people too. By sensitively retrofitting our historic buildings, we not only lower our energy consumption, we also reduce the energy bills of millions of people each month. I want to support homeowners who play such a valued part as custodians of our heritage. The IHBC Yearbook highlights the importance of working together to resolve these important issues. By doing so, we can fulfil our shared responsibility to protect our historic environment for the benefit of generations to come. Thank you for all that you do to help discharge it. Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Minister for Arts and Heritage
6 YEARBOOK 2023 WHAT IS THE IHBC? THE INSTITUTE of Historic Building Conservation is the principal body in the United Kingdom representing professionals and specialists involved in the conservation and preservation of the historic environment. Our members include conservation architects, architectural historians, conservation officers in central and local government, planners, surveyors and other specialist consultants, as well as academics and educators, curators, conservators and craftspeople. CHARITABLE PURPOSE As a registered charity, the IHBC’s purpose is to promote for the benefit of the public: the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment the highest standards of professional skills in this field the education and training of professionals and specialists responsible for such work. CORPORATE OBJECTIVES The IHBC’s operations are planned in accordance with the three objects listed in its current corporate plan (see website for details): helping people by promoting the conservation and management of historic places as a unique and evolving resource for people, both today and in the future helping conservation by supporting specialists, specialisms and specialist interests across all conservation-related activities, because effective conservation demands skilled care helping conservation specialists by supporting, encouraging and challenging IHBC members and prospective members, because conservation specialists work most effectively with coordination, advice, inspiration and scrutiny provided by an informed professional body. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Cutting edge news and debate: Weekly NewsBlogs, IHBC Conservation Wiki resource at DesigningBuildings.co.uk, IHBC’s journal Context, IHBC Yearbook, The Building Conservation Directory and other conservation publications from Cathedral Communications Professional development: Reduced rates and priority access (as applicable) to regular CPD courses and sector events, IHBC annual schools and branch events, job notices (IHBC Jobs etc), career advice and support, national and regional networking opportunities Technical support: Access to technical advice and guidance through national, regional and web-based advice and advisory panels Business support: Access to business support and listings including (for full members) membership of IHBC’s Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition (HESPR) scheme (see page 46), guidance on project development, participation and CPD opportunities in panels and groups, access to advocacy, and tax relief on subscriptions Participation and volunteering: Opportunities for shaping national and regional legislation and guidance through regular consultations, and involvement in all aspects of the work of the IHBC through regional branch activity and, at a national level, through our Council.
7 STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE OF THE IHBC COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH COMMITTEE DAVE CHETWYN Chair communications@ihbc.org.uk EDUCATION, TRAINING, STANDARDS COMMITTEE CHRIS WOOD Chair education@ihbc.org.uk MEMBERSHIP & ETHICS COMMITTEE ANDREW SHEPHERD Chair membership@ihbc.org.uk POLICY COMMITTEE ROY LEWIS Chair policy@ihbc.org.uk COUNCIL MIKE BROWN President president@ihbc.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES See page 8 MEMBERS TRUSTEES COUNCIL COMMITTEES AND BRANCHES PANELS, WORKING GROUPS, SUB-COMMITTEES etc ← ← ← REPORTING UPWARDS CONTROLS DOWNWARDS → → → EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS NATIONAL OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NATIONAL OFFICE SEAN O’REILLY Director director@ihbc.org.uk FIONA NEWTON Operations Director operations@ihbc.org.uk LYDIA PORTER Admin & Company Secretary admin@ihbc.org.uk ANNA HART Education, Training and Application Support Officer training@ihbc.org.uk CARMEN MORAN Membership Services Officer membershipservices@ihbc.org.uk MICHAEL NETTER Professional Services Officer services@ihbc.org.uk RAMONA USHER Professional Development Officer professional@ihbc.org.uk JUDE WHEELER Support Officer support@ihbc.org.uk PANELS etc CONSULTATIONS PANEL FIONA NEWTON Convenor consultations@ihbc.org.uk GREEN PANEL CRISPIN EDWARDS Chair green@ihbc.org.uk LEGAL PANEL LONE LE VAY Chair law@ihbc.org.uk TECHNICAL PANEL JOHN EDWARDS Chair technical@ihbc.org.uk EDITORIAL BOARD MICHAEL TAYLOR Chair ihbceditorialboard@gmail.com
8 YEARBOOK 2023 ELECTED and APPOINTED OFFICERS The post-holders shown are correct at the time of printing but are subject to change. For the latest information please see ihbc.org.uk/page65/index.html MIKE BROWN, PRESIDENT is a chartered building surveyor with over 30 years experience of historic building repair and refurbishment. He is Director of Conservation & Design Ltd and currently heads the conservation service at East Herts District Council. A past IHBC Chair, he sits on a number of heritage bodies and is particularly active on the Historic Environment Protection Reform Group with Historic England. president@ihbc.org.uk REBECCA THOMPSON, VICE PRESIDENT is Senior Estate Manager at English Heritage and past President of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). She is an active committee member of both IHBC Yorkshire branch and the annual CIOB Conservation Conference, where she is a regular speaker and event chair. Rebecca has a keen interest in responsible retrofit of historic buildings, reducing our carbon footprint and supporting heritage craft skills. vpresident@ihbc.org.uk DAVID McDONALD, CHAIR is an independent historic environment consultant specialising in providing heritage training for other built environment professionals. He formerly led the Conservation and Design Team at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. He is the IHBC’s representative at The Heritage Alliance and a trustee of the Council on Training in Architectural Conservation (COTAC). chair@ihbc.org.uk LONE LE VAY, VICE CHAIR is a retired chartered architect who worked primarily in the public sector providing specialist conservation, design and urban design advice. She most recently managed the Design and Historic Environment team at Chichester District Council and is and is a Fellow of the RSA. vchair@ihbc.org.uk JO EVANS, SECRETARY is a director at RPS Consulting and has held a number of conservation posts in local authorities in Surrey and Hampshire. She was chair of the IHBC from 2010 to 2013. Prior to that she was the membership secretary and the chair of the Membership & Ethics Committee, following on from holding posts on branch and other national committees. ihbcsecretary@ihbc.org.uk JILL KERRY, TREASURER is a semi-retired chartered architect who has worked in the conservation sector for 25 years. She started her professional life in the public sector before moving to the private sector. She was the Northern Ireland branch representative until 2017. treasurer@ihbc.org.uk ANDREW SHEPHERD, MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY is the principal of Andrew Shepherd, Architect. A chartered architect and surveyor, his projects have included Grade I listed buildings and scheduled monuments. He has extensive teaching experience in the UK and abroad. His previous roles include president and education officer of the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association and convenor of the Conservation Course Directors’ Forum. membership@ihbc.org.uk ROY LEWIS, POLICY SECRETARY is a director of Grover Lewis Associates Ltd, a specialist town planning and built heritage consultancy. He has held planning and conservation posts in local government and he ran an undergraduate conservation programme at the University of Derby. For the IHBC he represented the East Midlands branch from 2006 to 2017, and he has represented the IHBC on the Urban Design Alliance. policy@ihbc.org.uk DAVE CHETWYN, COMMUNICATIONS and OUTREACH SECRETARY is managing director of Urban Vision Enterprise CIC and a partner of D₂H Land Planning Development. He is also chair of the National Planning Forum, a High Streets Task Force Expert, a Design Council Expert and an associate of the Consultation Institute. Previous roles include chair of the Historic Towns Forum, head of Planning Aid England and IHBC chair. communications@ihbc.org.uk CHRIS WOOD, EDUCATION SECRETARY was Head of the Building Conservation & Research Team at English Heritage. During his 26 years with EH and Historic England he led dozens of research projects prompted by casework priorities or other urgent issues and has written extensively on the findings. Now retired, he has worked in private practice architecture and was a conservation officer for over a decade. education@ihbc.org.uk
9 STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP 0 50 100 km Crown copyright 2001 BRANCH AREAS • SCOTLAND (ALL ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS) • NORTHERN IRELAND (ALL COUNTIES) • NORTH (CLEVELAND, CUMBRIA, DURHAM, NORTHUMBERLAND AND TYNE AND WEAR) • NORTH WEST (CHESHIRE, GREATER MANCHESTER, ISLE OF MAN, LANCASHIRE AND MERSEYSIDE) • YORKSHIRE (ALL YORKSHIRE COUNTIES AND N AND NE LINCOLNSHIRE) • WALES (ALL ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS) • WEST MIDLANDS (HEREFORDSHIRE, WORCESTERSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE, STAFFORDSHIRE, WARWICKSHIRE AND WEST MIDLANDS) • EAST MIDLANDS (DERBYSHIRE, LEICESTERSHIRE, LINCOLNSHIRE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE) • SOUTH WEST (CORNWALL, DEVON, DORSET, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SCILLY ISLANDS, SOMERSET AND WILTSHIRE) • LONDON (GREATER LONDON) • SOUTH (BERKSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, CHANNEL ISLANDS, HAMPSHIRE, ISLE OF WIGHT AND OXFORDSHIRE) • EAST ANGLIA (BEDFORDSHIRE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, ESSEX, HERTFORDSHIRE, NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK) • SOUTH EAST (EAST SUSSEX, KENT, SURREY AND WEST SUSSEX)
10 YEARBOOK 2023 MEMBERSHIP OF THE IHBC THE INSTITUTE offers membership opportunities and linked benefits to all those who care for the built and historic environment. Our members are drawn from many disciplines, including architects, town planners, building surveyors, estate and asset managers, structural engineers, landscape architects, curators, buildings and project managers, archaeologists, architectural historians, local authority conservation officers, officers from national conservation organisations, academics and private practitioners. Membership of the institute is aimed at being inclusive rather than exclusive, though all assessed categories of membership require the observance of our code of conduct (see page 12) in line with our charitable objects. There are three categories of assessed membership: Full membership (accredited) represents conservation accreditation open to all active in the conservation of the built and historic environment. Full members have demonstrated to the IHBC their skills, knowledge and experience as interdisciplinary conservation specialists able to offer services and advice in line with national and international standards and models in conservation and its management. As such, full members are required to demonstrate skills and experience in line with and across the institute’s four areas of competence (see page 12), while significant skills in one or more areas may be seen to outweigh weaknesses in one of the other areas. Anybody who satisfies these requirements and has at least five years’ relevant experience would normally be considered eligible to apply for full membership. For those who have gained a qualification from a conservation course that has full recognition from the institute (see page 91), the period of relevant experience required is reduced from five years to two years. Associate membership (accredited) represents conservation accreditation awarded to practitioners who have demonstrated to the IHBC their capability in specialist skills, knowledge and experience in conservation in a single area of practice or ‘competence’ as recognised by the IHBC, typically one that corresponds to their primary skills or discipline. Affiliate membership (assessed but not accredited) is available for those who have demonstrated an holistic ‘awareness’ of all aspects of conservation practice as described by the IHBC. They may later seek accreditation from the IHBC. The historic environment is constantly changing and evolving. To manage that process without losing what makes it special requires heritage professionals from many disciplines, and the IHBC is the professional body that brings them all together.
11 STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP RETIRED MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS For those who are less directly involved in conservation, including those with early career and late career interests, there are two further categories of membership that give access to the same core membership benefits, networks and activities all our members enjoy. Retired members are those accredited members (full or associate) who have formally retired from practice and pay reduced fees. Supporter membership is open to anyone, typically those in the very early stages of a career linked to conservation and those keen to support the IHBC’s charitable objects. FEE SUPPORT Membership is available at concessionary rates for those in need or on low wages. Members of any category who make a case for fee support may secure further reductions. All forms of concessionary membership last only for the subscription year in which they are agreed. Full details are on the website. Retired This form of membership allows a reduced subscription rate for existing members who are retired from practice but wish to remain in contact with the institute. Those wishing to apply for this form of membership should write to the membership services officer confirming that they are no longer practising conservation. Libraries This is a form of subscribing membership where an organisation, rather than an individual, may access our services and benefits. Those wishing to apply for this form of membership should contact the membership secretary who will advise them of the subscription rate applicable. All members have the right to receive notices, literature and Context. The Membership & Ethics committee, subject to the approval of council, will decide on eligibility for and category of assessed membership. All membership information is kept on a computer database and names and addresses can be used for mailing of appropriate information to members subject to stated preferences on the membership application form and careful control by officers. To apply for membership please see ihbc.org.uk/join/index.html. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS 2022 Subscriptions are due annually on 1 April and can be paid by direct debit, credit/debit card or by cheque (made payable to the Institute of Historic Building Conservation). NB: IHBC fees are tax deductible as a professional expense, and through tax relief can reduce the cost by 20 per cent (basic rate tax payer) to 40 per cent or more. Members, associates, affiliates and supporters £132 per annum Concessionary rate £66 per annum (available to those with an annual income below £18,500, subject to proof of income and renewed annually) Retired members £66 per annum Fee support If you are having difficulty meeting the cost of our membership fees you can apply for fee support (ihbc.org.uk/join/feesupport/index.html). Successful applicants typically have their fees reduced by 50 to 100 per cent of the full rate. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The IHBC specifies ongoing training and development as a fundamental duty for an active professional. Consequently, CPD is compulsory for full members and strongly recommended for affiliates, individuals intending to become full members and associates. See ihbc.org.uk/learning/ cpd for details and registration forms. How much is required? Full members must complete 50 hours of CPD over any two-year period and must supply CPD registration forms when requested by the institute. What qualifies? CPD must be planned on the basis of a personal development assessment related to the areas of competence (see page 12) and can include site visits, independent research, volunteering or other activities which broaden a member’s professional horizons. Where can I find CPD events? Sign up to receive the IHBC’s free CPD circular, or see events.ihbc.org.uk to find short courses and events, including many provided by IHBC regional branches. IHBC membership (all categories) stands at 2,415. Excluding those members who have retired (170), 55 per cent are employed in the private sector and 28 per cent in the public sector, with 485 in local authorities and 178 in national government bodies. IHBC MEMBERS BY EMPLOYMENT SECTOR NOTE These figures exclude retired members Third National sector 8% government 8% Local government 20% Private sector 55% Not employed 3% Students 4% Miscellaneous 1% Education 2%
12 YEARBOOK 2023 AREAS OF COMPETENCE AND COMPETENCES FOR IHBC MEMBERS The IHBC’s ‘areas of competence’, and their underpinning ‘competences’ provide an outline of the skills, knowledge and experience needed to fulfil the requirements of accredited membership of the institute. Prospective members are advised to refer to the institute’s current guidance for applicants, Membership Standards, Criteria and Guidelines (2008) which is posted on our website’s membership pages – see ihbc. org.uk/join/apply/index.html The following provides a brief summary of the principal headings: AREA OF COMPETENCE Professional 1. Philosophy: Knowledge and understanding of conservation theory and the social, cultural, political, aesthetic, economic and environmental values that underpin current conservation policy and practice 2. Practice: Knowledge and understanding of conservation practice and making of informed and authoritative conservation judgements, including knowledge of its processes and protocols and the ability to interact effectively with all bodies and individuals who have a significant role to play in the field AREA OF COMPETENCE Practical: Evaluation 3. Historic and architectural interest: Knowledge and understanding of the development of the historic environment including the remains of previous periods and cultures, historic buildings and settlements, work of engineering, parks, gardens and other elements of the historic landscape 4. Research/Recording/Analysis: Research, analysis and recording: Ability to carry out or commission research, recording and analysis of the historic environment, and to maintain records accordingly AREA OF COMPETENCE Practical: Management 5. Legislation/Policy: Knowledge and understanding of legislation and policy for the conservation of historic environments, their formulation locally and nationally, and awareness of other relevant legislation, policies and guidance 6. Finance/Economics: Knowledge and understanding of economic factors in applying heritage legislation and policy, including applications for statutory consents, and for procurement of conservation services for heritagerelated projects, including financial and viability assessments, valuation, cost planning and contracts AREA OF COMPETENCE Practical: Intervention 7. Design/Presentation: Ability to analyse and evaluate historic contexts and to secure appropriate designs in fabric, buildings, townscape and areas, existing and proposed, and to communicate results in ways accessible to professionals and communities 8. Technology: Knowledge and understanding of building construction of all periods, the characteristics of structures, the nature and properties of building materials, and appropriate methods of repair and alteration of historic fabric. CODE OF CONDUCT The object of the code of conduct is to promote those standards of conduct and self-discipline required of a member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation in the interests of the public and the protection of the built heritage. The main object of the institute is the promotion, for the benefit of the public, of the conservation of, and education and training in, the conservation and preservation of buildings, structures, areas, gardens and landscapes which are of architectural and historical interest and/or value in the United Kingdom. This heritage, which is part of society’s common heritage and which should be available to everyone, is, however, a limited and irreplaceable resource. It is therefore the duty of all members to act for and to promote its protection. Subscription to the IHBC’s code of conduct for individuals involved in the conservation and preservation of the built heritage assumes acceptance of these responsibilities. Those who subscribe to it and carry out its provisions will thereby be identified as persons professing specific standards of competence, responsibility and ethical behaviour in the pursuit of historic environment conservation work. This code indicates the general standard of conduct to which members of the institute are expected to adhere, failing which its governing body may judge them guilty of conduct unbecoming to a member of the institute and may reprimand, suspend or expel them. For further information see ihbc.org.uk/resources/A4-Code-ofConduct.pdf. AREAS OF COMPETENCE COMPETENCES PROFESSIONAL 1. Philosophy 2. Practice PRACTICAL EVALUATION 3. Historic and architectural interest 4. Research, recording and analysis MANAGEMENT 5. Legislation and policy 6. Finance and economics INTERVENTION 7. Design and presentation 8. Technology
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS Historic places of worship in Plymouth, with Catherine Street Baptist Church (1958, Grade II) in the foreground (Photo: Jonathan Taylor)
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REVIEW AND ANALYSIS 15 WELCOME! MIKE BROWN, IHBC PRESIDENT WELCOME TO the IHBC Yearbook, now in its 23rd wonderful year. Within these pages you will find a comprehensive guide to the world of heritage conservation, including a directory of our members and supporters, our HESPR members, details of local, national and international conservation organisations, suppliers of many valuable conservation products and services, and articles on climate change and the historic environment, which is our theme for the Swansea Annual School. I do hope you found time to attend one of the many IHBC Silver Jubilee events up and down the country, to raise a glass in celebration and share time, experiences and gossip with fellow members. The hot topic for the coming year will be the future evolution of the IHBC and whether we should decide to petition the privy council for a Royal Charter. The member consultation was launched at council in April and the board members and I hope to meet with as many of you as possible to debate this issue over the coming months. That could be at branch meetings, the Annual School, future council meetings or simply via email or online. This will be a member led decision and we plan to bring a resolution forward to the AGM at the end of the year. Do join in the debate. And so, to climate change and the historic environment, also the theme of this yearbook. Some say the modern environmentalist era was born in 1968 when Earthrise, the photograph of our planet taken over the lunar landscape by Apollo 8, was published. For the first time in history, we mere terrestrials could see our planet in all its lonely fragility. The human conflict and strife below had, for many young people in the West, a new and profound context. The old philosophy, that the Earth was a gift from God for the enjoyment and exploitation of men, now seemed both short-sighted and irresponsible. What began in the 1970s as ‘ecology’ grew from a much mocked minority view to the mainstream green issue it is today. And now an early adopter sits on the throne. Sadly, the lack of visibility and proximity of the harm being done (until recently), the enjoyment of consumerism and the weight of lobbying by vested interests have meant that changes in attitudes and policies needed have been all too slow. And now we find we are rapidly running out of time. However, there are grounds for optimism. Each year brings new hope of technological advances that might offer solutions. Breakthroughs in the development of fusion power with its potential for low cost, carbon free energy, the production of green hydrogen, and the expansion of wind and tidal renewables might yet secure future green energy supplies. Furthermore, developments in carbon capture might help undo some of the environmental damage already done. So, well directed human ingenuity might yet save the day. The IHBC and those practising within the historic environment are no strangers to concerns relating to the wider environment. We often state that preserving listed buildings and the historic environment are intrinsically green activities. Preserving, repairing and recycling buildings, the use of natural materials and encouraging the more efficient use of urban capacity are exemplars of how to end our throw-away society and lead more sustainable lives. But, as our political leaders wake up to the scale of the climate change challenge, we now find ourselves under pressure to do more to meet energy conservation driven political directives. So be it. But let’s not lose sight of the bigger and longer term picture. Many of the measures being developed to better insulate and more efficiently heat our homes (including many listed buildings) may prove to be only temporarily needed in order to slow the damage while new technology comes forward. Fusion power (which, to be fair, has developed a reputation of always being 25 years away) might make retrofit redundant. But it’s not here yet and in the meantime, we must do what we can with the tools available. Nevertheless, given the potential of green technology to make many of the energy conservation measures now being considered within the historic environment temporary, I do ask that we take care to ensure these measures minimise harm and are readily reversible. Always end on a song! Standing on the Moon by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead, a slow, stately ballad, has something of Earthrise about it. Mike Brown is IHBC President (president@ihbc.org.uk), Director of Conservation & Design Ltd.
16 YEARBOOK 2023 CHAIR’S REVIEW SOMETHING IN THE AIR? DAVID McDONALD, IHBC CHAIR OLDER READERS may know that Something in the Air was one of those iconic songs of the 1960s. It came out in 1969 by the now longforgotten band Thunderclap Newman. It captured the spirit of the age, post Flower Power. Today it suggests a more disturbing message with the title’s implications for climate change and net zero covered elsewhere in this yearbook. However, before I continue the environmental theme, I should reflect on two of the IHBC’s achievements in the past year. I was pleased to see the publication at the end of 2022 of a report on the Value of Heritage by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Conservation Places and People, for which the IHBC provides the secretariat. It has already been covered in Context No 174 which was accompanied by a copy of the full report. In brief, it had five recommendations: 1) a review of VAT to facilitate energy saving in listed buildings, 2) establishing a presumption against demolition, 3) introducing an energy efficiency amnesty for some of the most significant historic buildings, 4) continuing recent government funding for targeted investment for improvement of the historic environment, and 5) providing local authorities with greater control over levelling up and regeneration funding. I was particularly pleased to see the recommendation on VAT and the presumption against demolition. However, the recommendation to introduce an energy efficiency amnesty for ‘some of our most precious historic buildings’ is unlikely to receive such widespread support. While its overall aim might be laudable, it could be used as an easy excuse not to explore all options to improve energy efficiency. The other achievement on which I would like to reflect is the 2022 Annual School which was held in Aberdeen. It was certainly a venue whose location on the North Sea was more than appropriate for the school’s theme of Conservation on the Edge. Being the first hybrid school there were both challenges and opportunities. The local school committee took the opportunity of inviting an international cast of speakers from Norway in the north to South Georgia at the other end of the Atlantic. I had the privilege of chairing the Day School, which was on one hand an enjoyable interaction with the ‘live’ audience and the speakers, and on the other hand quite nerve wracking in trying to hold the whole event together in a smooth and seamless way. I’m sure all the attendees, whether in-person or online were impressed by the range and depth of the presentations. Having cut our teeth on the hybrid event in Aberdeen, we hope to build on the success in Swansea. Returning to my theme of something in the air, there does seem to be a mood in the heritage world for a more positive connection between the historic and natural environment. For many of us that has always been self-evident. Taking the village green as an obvious example, its special character can only be fully appreciated by assessing the architecture, spatial qualities and greenery together. It’s a clear example of where the quality of the place may be greater than the sum of its parts. Recent controversial and widely publicised tree removal by local councils in Plymouth and Sheffield show a public perception of the value of trees to the character of streets. On a more positive note, a recent press release from English Heritage, Chief Executive Kate Mavor wrote: “We’re creating more natural spaces at the heart of our historic properties, ensuring that wild flowers and wildlife flourish”. Local Greenspace Designation is becoming increasingly popular with local planning authorities. The criteria for designation include beauty and historic significance. Local Landscape Character Areas on the other hand, are more geologically and biologically defined, taking into account land use as well as visual and perceptual qualities. However, as the production of neighbourhood plans has shown, the perception of the value of open spaces and greenery is not confined to formally designated areas, and might include watercourses, agricultural land and green corridors for wildlife. While there is also scope for conflict between habitats and the historic environment, as illustrated by the difficulty of accommodating bats in church buildings, issues like these underline the importance of conservation professionals engaging with the natural environment sector. The issue of widespread tree removal provides both further proof of this need and the opportunity for greater co-operation, by calling into question the adequacy of existing controls such as tree preservation orders and conservation area designation. As we know, tree planting is an important part of climate change mitigation and we have common interests there. But there will be many other ways in which we might engage and influence which I will be considering over the next year. Truly, there is something in the air. David McDonald is the IHBC Chair (chair@ihbc.org.uk) and has been a member since its inception.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS 17 DIRECTOR’S UPDATE CHARTING TERRITORIES, OLD AND NEW SEAN O’REILLY, IHBC DIRECTOR IT IS with some relief that, from 2023, the IHBC can say ‘so long, and thanks for all the fish’, to the worst impacts of the pandemic, while still continuing to build positively on the many lessons offered by that global interregnum. This is extraordinarily good news when, as I write, we are both seeing out our highly successful 25th anniversary year, IHBC25, and looking to thoughts on adopting a more overt presence across both environmental and construction landscapes, as a body with a Royal Charter. As the pandemic’s impact on our patterns of work have waned over the last year and more, it may be hard to remember the sheer complexity of the concerns needing response or resolution. The ever-changing nature of the threats had to be written into plans, services and even experiences, and so generating substantial yet increasingly diverse profiles and levels of risk. For example, while preparations for our 2023 Aberdeen School were firmly rooted in 2021, from the start of 2022 the country opened out with much more confidence than was evident in the previous months. So, only as the school approached could we finally make substantial presumptions about detailed adaptations to a, by then, postcrisis environment. At every point in that planning, as a responsible charity and company, we were prepared to compact back into pandemic mode in case new threats arose. Impacts of that transitional management were best witnessed by the many delegates who came to enjoy our Aberdeen School in person. It was the first chance after Covid for us to re-engage with our historic training model, the now in-person school, and, with so many meeting up again at last, it also served as our traditional and de facto annual conservation festival. Delegates on hand could enjoy the splendid places (real and digital) on offer from local castles, cities and harbours to the vistas and live reports from the South Pole. Many also took the opportunity to both recognise and learn from the curious details being generated by our postCovid circumstances across the entire experience, both personal and professional. From overt masking to the more covert constraints at our first Annual Dinner, Gus Astley and Marsh Awards, evening receptions and more, all were borne with good will and grace as members delighted in their return to real life, in-person, and fundamentally human interactions. More importantly, we also delivered successfully on both immediate and long-term learning and training objectives. Most ambitious, pre-Covid at least, were the dual achievements of increasing access to our training, through our blended or hybridised format, while also reducing associated carbon footprints. At the same time, the 2023 School was by far the most logistically challenging IHBC CPD event in our history. Despite rapidly changing social, educational and political norms, it accommodated a range of pilot and experimental approaches, themselves essential tests for future event arrangements. The school also managed to respond rapidly to veering priorities around health, sponsors and costs, while still offering greatvalue, quality services equally to both traditional in-person delegates and to our digital participants. Its strategic success was confirmed by positive feedback, not least in the only entirely digital facet of the programme, our new (and still evolving) Heritage Marketplace. For all the learning in and from Aberdeen, the School’s real achievements will be felt most strongly in the future. For events, the lessons learned will filter through to branches and partners. At the same time the superb engagement by, and understanding support from, the Scotland branch’s school committee, led by Douglas Campbell and populated by an impressive array of Annual school delegates viewing a scale model of an oil rig at Aberdeen’s maritime museum. One of the most challenging topics raised by the school centred on the historic significance and value of the last remaining North Sea oil rigs.
18 YEARBOOK 2023 younger conservation professionals, presented the strongest testament to the vitality of the IHBC in the 21st century. Mindful as ever of the central roles for our branches and volunteers in that future, the board has continued to allocate resources to extend support there. Our new volunteer support, led by Jude Wheeler, now as our branch liaison officer, offers strategic updates, guidance and capacity to branch committees and events, as well as a new tie between the IHBC’s volunteers and their national office. We also extended support for members’ practice and career progress with consultant services supplied by Anna (Angharad) Hart, specifically focussed on training and applications. Anna’s recently-launched suite of forms, guidance and services to help in affiliate applications has already impressed lead volunteers and further clarified the purpose behind the new arrangements. The new thinking displayed there, including a screencast video and flexible online surgeries for applicants, is a sign of the future for the other service improvements seen already and on the way. These range from centrally supported local training via our branches to new practice areas linked to climate change issues, both ‘stand-alone’ as IHBC and in partnerships. The IHBC also took full advantage of the quieter spells in Covid to extend our conservation advocacy in the political field through the UK-wide, IHBC-supported and Westminsterbased All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Conservation, Places and People. That select group of parliamentarians opened its first inquiry in 2020 by interrogating an avowedly catch-all theme: ‘the value of the historic environment and how it can help to promote growth and regeneration’. Supported by the IHBC through our independent consultant David Blackman, the inquiry’s oral sessions were led from October 2021 by the newly elected APPG Chair James Grundy MP. Delayed by the pandemic, the launch of the report in December 2022 still laid a critical foundation for our future advocacy and research. The publication was also supported in part by our 25th anniversary programme, IHBC25, and our CREATIVE Conservation Fund, with both underpinning the first IHBC-led event in Westminster. The current yearbook sits at the end of our IHBC25 programme, and so marks in part the conclusion of the 25th anniversary of the Institute’s founding in 1997. Reflecting the IHBC’s default bottom-up approach for IHBC25, branches were encouraged to propose and bid for local and national anniversary initiatives. Through the National Office and Committees project, work has included a themed issue of Context, development programmes such as an upgraded archiving capacity, updates to key practice statements, including of our Competences and our Conservation Professional Practice Principles and much more. All were supported by the simple and functional web resource and social media interface at #IHBC25. Our anniversary year, even more than marking a moment in time, seems to have mostly tied our past to our future. The ongoing modernisation of governance, centred on the new Articles and Corporate Plan adopted at the 2020 AGM, has refined the best parts of our corporate legacies into a robust and modern entity fit for the ever-evident travails of the 21st century. These developments have also, ever more clearly, laid the foundation for the exploration (for now, no more than that) of a petition for the IHBC to become a chartered professional body. Chartering has loomed large, if mostly silently, across the anniversary year, as we commenced the recently launched consultation on the IHBC submitting a petition for charter. Before consulting on that, as per our Corporate Plan, we needed to know as much as we usefully could about the related facts and issues. So from mid2022 we enquired informally across our networks and later with the Privy Council Office, the administrative lead and helpful guide on the process. We also planned our own research and by December 2022 we had an outline brief agreed with consultant David Williams, now best known to readers through the recording of his presentation on the chartering process to the IHBC’s March Council. By the time you read this, our webbased consultation hub, inspired as anyone might guess by our IHBC25 hub, should be live and open to research, comment, interrogation and engagement. As a petition consultation hub, this should serve to inform our members, our networks and our stakeholders of the issues and impacts at play and in prospect, as well as take comments, concerns and suggestions to inform future decisions. Fittingly, the council that launched the petition consultation also marked the formal end of our 25th anniversary programme. This commences the most momentous discussions on our status since before 1997 (when we were looking at incorporating our association of friends and colleagues as a charity and professional body). Now over 25 years later we find ourselves looking at our future once again, while still seeking lessons from our past. Seán O’Reilly is the Director of IHBC (director@ihbc.org.uk), joining in 2005 after working at the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland. He has written, contributed to and edited numerous publications in architectural history and conservation. The launch of The Value of Heritage in the Palace of Westminster, the first report of the APPG on Conservation, Places and People, with David McDonald (IHBC), Lizzie Glithero-West (Heritage Alliance), James Grundy MP (APPG Chair), Duncan Wilson OBE (Historic England) and David Tittle (Heritage Trust Network)
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