The major event in the year for the conservation professional has been launched with the opening of the website and booking for the IHBC’s 2012 School, to take place in Winchester on 21-23 June, and which will tackle one of the biggest challenges for conservation today, ‘significance’.
IHBC President and architect Trefor Thorpe said: ‘This is a great moment in the IHBC’s calendar. The launching of the School website is the first step in our progress towards the sector’s major learning and networking opportunity of the year. For 2012 we have a most challenging theme, ‘significance’, as we examine just how and why we assess value in conservation, in close discussion with those responsible as well as those affected.’
‘Context is essential, of course, and with Winchester as the location, we will have a spectacular range of practical cases and site visits to complement the stimulating perspectives our speakers will bring to the discussions. As the Day School on the Friday is a fully-fledged CPD opportunity in its own right, anyone with an interest in the built environment or managing places will have a unique and cost-effective learning opportunity, so be sure to tell your colleagues about the Day School too!’
‘If you or your colleagues want to explore some of the most challenging areas for conservation today, or to meet the people responsible for shaping the care of our places, or to bring your own thoughts and expertise to these matters, be sure to come to Winchester this June.’
Alison Davidson, lead organiser with the IHBC’s South Branch, which is hosting the 2012 School, said: ‘The Winchester experience is best summarised in our city’s strapline: ‘vibrant, ancient; cultured’. We’ll be looking at how this mix of energy, history and culture is managed through our consideration of significance, as well as our responses to it, and we all look forward to welcoming you here in June.’
IHBC Education Secretary John Preston said: ‘Each year our School provides our inter-disciplinary membership and their colleagues with a unique opportunity to examine, explore and investigate current issues in conservation, at first hand and under expert guidance, as well as the chance to develop their networks among some of the most senior professionals across the UK. As we have practitioners from the Branch lead the organisation of the School, you can rely on the coverage being relevant, inclusive and practical. And as we map the School’s learning opportunities to our professional development models, you can also be sure that you will receive some of the best targeted CPD opportunities around.’
‘Also, as the Day School is a free-standing day of CPD – with up to 7 hours CPD including networking and trade stands – it provides a special opportunity for non-members, professional colleagues, amenity interests and any third sector figures interested in our places and their management to come and learn about the first step in conservation, valuing heritage.’
‘Do remember too, when seeking employer support to attend the School, that IHBC members ought to use their personal development plan and CPD resources to highlight the professional value of attending this key event. Anyone concerned with current trends in valuing places, insights into how it works or should work, and first-rate guidance on current issues for their decisions, should make their way to Winchester this June.’
IHBC Treasurer Richard Morrice said: ‘As well as keeping overall costs as low as possible while also ensuring a viable event – early bird Day School rates start at a very competitive £125, and the non-residential full School at £270, all plus VAT – the IHBC will be offering up to ten bursaries of up to £200 each for delegates needing extra support. Details are provided on the School website. Remember also that separate bursaries will be offered by some IHBC Branches, so if you do need support please be sure to contact your local Branch as well to see if there are any opportunities there.’
‘The IHBC will also support the attendance at the School of those winners of the 2010 and 2011 IHBC Gus Astley Student Award able to attend. They will be presented with their prizes at the IHBC’s Annual Dinner on the Friday night, accompanied by a brief commentary from the 2011 judge, Rory Cullen, IHBC member and Head of Buildings at the National Trust.’
Fiona Newton, IHBC’s Projects Officer, said: ‘Clearly there’s a huge amount happening in the conservation world in Winchester this June. If anyone is interested in raising their profile with our members and their colleagues at the institute’s major annual event, whether through sponsorship, exhibitions or literature, please do use the website to let us know, or get in touch with me direct, or with the South Branch. We’re very keen for the sponsors to see what great opportunities there are to present their business to our members, and just what good value we offer.’
Early bird booking rates apply until 20 April.
For the School website and bursaries see: 2012school.ihbc.org.uk
For the Gus Astley Student Award see: gasa.ihbc.org.uk
For sponsorhip contact Fiona at: projects@ihbc.org.uk
For links to previous School web sites and on-line School reports see: LINK
