IHBC’s officers, members and delegates offered enthusiastic congratulations to its South Branch for organising and hosting yet another highly successful and challenging Annual School for the institute.
IHBC President Trefor Thorpe said: ‘The great speakers and fascinating site visits highlighted just the sort of challenging thinking around the School’s theme, ‘significance’. And as Winchester has been my first School as President, naturally it has a special significance to me. While the theme has a slightly different place in policy outside England, the issue of how we assess value in heritage is central to all conservation advice’.
‘We are also hugely grateful to the City Council at Winchester for its support in helping out on this major UK conference. The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ernie Jeffs and the City Council’s Heritage Champion, Cllr Patricia Stallard gave well-informed welcomes to the School, while the council’s energetic support and dedicated staff demonstrated just how successful partnering can work for everyone.’
IHBC Chair Jo Evans said: ‘The South Branch did a wonderful job in planning and arranging our Winchester School. All the delegates I spoke to were hugely impressed by the entire experience, from the fantastic venue and visits, to the wonderful Annual Dinner, and the great value to be had overall! Our remarkable network of volunteers has once again helped show how the IHBC’s strengths lie not only in the special skills and understanding our members have in managing places, but in the members’ own dedication to the IHBC’s cause.’
Seán O’Reilly, IHBC director, said: ‘Each School involves a partnership between the Branch volunteers and the national office. As we look to future Schools – with Carlisle in 2013, themed around skills, and Edinburgh in 2014 – each year provides us with invaluable new ideas, and ever higher ambitions. At the same time our sponsors and exhibitors help ensure that we keep our focus on the practical world of conservation, while the continuing support and input of English Heritage makes sure that we don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.’
Fiona Newton, project officer at the IHBC, said: ‘We’ve already got the feedback web survey out to delegates, so please be sure that, if you were able to come along, that you complete the survey as it really does make a difference. Also anyone interested in sponsoring in 2013 should get in touch with me at the IHBC’s National Office, and get their name down for one of the best opportunities to raise profile with our members, their colleagues and this hugely important sector.’
For enquiries about sponsorship at IHBC’s training and educational events contact Fiona at projects@ihbc.org.uk
For the web records of the 2012 School and previous events see: LINK , and reports on our Branch and Context web pages.
