IHBC Context 144
Context, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation's membership journal and key heritage sector resource offers contents that span the full spectrum of practices and principles, as well as sector updates: reports, reviews, events, briefings and more.
The May 2016 edition is available to read online.
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘We’ll put this issue online immediately, to help extend conservation awareness as far as possible. That said, the most accessible way learn to about conservation principles, practice and thinking is to explore this issue in hard copy, as an IHBC member.’
‘From now on we’ll also be using social media posts to help people focus on CPD and accreditation issues too, so there’s an easier route to the skills covering our Areas of Competence. Already we give pointers like these in our events postings, but now we are extending this service to Context.’
Context144 includes:
- More about local listing, with PlaceCheck, or WHS fires… or pub values.
- Periodically: Distilled heritage periodicals from Bob Kindred IHBC and 2013 Student Awardee Lisa McIntyre on medieval bishops’ palaces in the JAC.
- Aimée Felton, IHBC’s first Associate Member, on Restoring Kew’s Temperate House.
- Scaffolding – ups and downs: Interventions, covering technology competences and more
- HGV vibrations – time for re-assessment, says Champion.
- Conservation in the round with high points of high Streets: ‘Putting shops to viable uses consistent with their conservation should seek to encourage maximum use of the building for modern purposes, while also maximising the heritage value.’
- Richard Bate on conservation services and officers: ‘The paltry savings on modest salaries seems wholly misplaced in relation to the potential benefits of retaining and augmenting conservation staff.
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.
RTPI calls on government to issue planning guidance to prevent development delays
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has called on the government to urgently issue planning guidance to prevent unnecessary delays to development from the pandemic.
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.