The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the UK’s professional body for conservation specialists, has successfully concluded the annual September tour of its Council, this year to Newcastle, with a reception attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Newcastle with other key players, and a conference at which John Grundy, Pevsner co-author and media spokesman for the area, delivered the keynote introduction in a day examining how the sector might address imminent cutbacks.
Stewart Ramsdale, IHBC North Branch chair, said: “It was hugely encouraging that the reception and conference were so well supported by delegates and guests drawn from across the UK. I was especially impressed with the strong sense of teamwork achieved by the Branch in partnership with the National Office, contributing in no small way to a successful series of events.
Such gatherings are always an opportunity to build the membership of the IHBC, and our conference, ‘Bridging the Recession’, was no exception. Already we’ve had several enquiries about membership as well as members wanting to be involved in Branch voluntary activities.”
Seán O’Reilly, IHBC Director, said: “Successful partnership between all the sectors that work together to deliver conservation distinguished these two days.
The IHBC, as a professional body that is also both a charity and a pro-active voluntary organisation, drew support from key government and community interests – Newcastle City Council and the North of England Civic Trust – to ensure that both ends of the conservation sector informed our advocacy and planning. No simple answers were reached, but the willingness to think radically on quality outcomes for our valued places confirmed that the sector is prepared to respond to this huge challenge.”
The conference will be reported on in the IHBC’s journal, Context, and preliminary perspective from IHBC member Richard Majewicz is available HERE
