IHBC NewsBlog

IHBC Virtual School 19 June: Heritage Reflections & Speculations from a Pandemic

How the current pandemic will shape historic urban areas and their surrounding communities across the globe is impossible to tell. Join us to reflect on the implications for our current approaches to caring for valued places, and even speculate on future strategies and responses.

How to Enjoy Heritage from Home, from the Heritage Fund

The Heritage Fund has put together a list of heritage-inspired activities to be done from home.

Listed Property Owners Club’s Spring Checklist for Buildings

Spring is a good time to stand back and consider any building repairs that are required over the next 12 months, notes the LPOC, and regular inspection and maintenance is the key to keeping homes in good repair, as per its accessible step-by-step guidance.

Firefighters tackle blaze at converted Grade II listed former mill

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said “rapid and effective firefighting” had saved three quarters of the mill – which is now apartments.

Thieves take advantage of lockdown to steal lead from church roof in Halsham

Police have appealed for witnesses after thieves stole lead from the roof of All Saints Church in Halsham near Hedon during the coronavirus lockdown.

IHBC's CPD Circular provides info on digital CPD opportunities

The regular newsletter showcases the IHBC’s own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) content as well as online opportunities from ‘IHBC Recognised CPD Providers’ and other conservation related training and events.

Frank Lloyd Wright houses offer virtual tours

To make sure the public still has access to twelve of those famous works, #WrightVirtualVisits has been launched, which offers virtual tours of 12 iconic houses.

CIC’s Coronavirus Digest review and survey

The Construction Industry Council’s (CIC’s) ‘CIC Coronavirus Digest – Issue 8’ surveys the latest government advice with updates from the construction industry.

COVID-19: Advice and Updates collated from the Heritage Sector

Organisations with conservation links have been collating resources on COVID-19 impacts, including Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS), Historic Environment Forum, The Heritage Alliance (THA), and Historic England, on cleaning surfaces.

Councils considering ‘executive powers’ as measures to avoid planning gridlock

Councils are reported to be considering taking up rarely-used executive powers to keep the planning and development system moving during the coronavirus pandemic.

Historic England provides updated flood recovery advice

Historic England's 'After a Flood' provides timely advice on how to dry walls properly and avoid further damage to the building fabric.

Conservation of Timber Buildings: an example of evolving conservation techniques

Context Issue 162 offers a peek into an archive of timber conservation history through the records of the practice of FWB and Mary Charles Chartered Architects.

Call for VAT rates for Refurbishment to be Reduced

To meet the government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2050, we must recycle, reuse and responsibly adapt our existing historic buildings, according to this year’s Heritage Counts report, so Historic England and partners are calling for a reduction in VAT rates to incentivise this more sustainable option.