IHBC NewsBlogs

A church in Derbyshire has had £20,000 of lead stolen from its roof, and in the same week Historic England offered training for Hertfordshire Constabulary Police Rural Operational Support Team on heritage crime, highlighting this serous threat to our architectural heritage.

The Derby Telegraph reported that All Saints Church, Sudbury has lost a whole section of roof to metal thieves.

Historic England has a dedicated Twitter account for discussing heritage crime and have called on Twitter users to help increase understanding of metal theft by sharing information using the hashtag #HeritageMetal

Follow the HE Heritage Crime Twitter account (HE Heritage Crime), including images and news from the Hertfordshire Constabulary Police Rural Operational Support Team workshops

View the Derby Telegraph article on the All Saints Church theft

IHBC newsblogs on heritage crime

BBC news reported this week on the news that the Dounreay nuclear reactor is to be demolished, which was previously considered by Historic Scotland for listed building status and had a number of inventive proposals for re-use.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority business plan for 2015 states that the Dounreay site will be suitable for demolition by 2022, and works completed on the 70 hectare site by 2029/30.

In March 2015 the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority also announced that a national nuclear industry archive was to be constricted in Wick following the granting of planning approval from Highland Council, with the North Highland Archive being transferred to the new site.

View the BBC news article on Dounreay, including images of the interior of the building

View information on the proposals for a nuclear industry archives in the Scottish Highlands

View the NDA 2015 to 2018 Business Plan

Office workers in east London could soon be hanging out among the trees now Hackney Council is providing temporary office space for up to eight people in the canopy of a tree in Hoxton Square from June.

The council said the booking fees would help maintain the park and other open spaces, and community groups could book the space free of charge at weekends. Between six and eight people will be able to hold meetings or work on laptops in the weather-proof structure, which will be built around the tree.

The tree office has been designed by Australian-American artist Natalie Jeremijenko along with ‘collaborative artists’ Shuster and Moseley, and architect firms Tate Harmer and Gensler.

View more information about the TREExOFFICE

Planning Portal Blog

The Welsh Government (WG) has launched a consultation on the development of a new law to give power to communities to run their own community assets, with the closing date for responses set as 11 September 2015. 

The Welsh Government writes:
The Welsh Government is considering developing a bespoke Welsh law to help communities bid for, own and run assets transferred from the public and private sectors, such as halls, churches, playing fields, pubs and post offices.

Alternative proposals set out in the Protecting Community Assets Consultation include strengthening existing guidance on community assets, or mirroring the current situation in England through enacting the Assets of Community Value Measures in the Localism Act 2011.

Developing a bespoke law would provide the maximum flexibility to suit the specific needs of Welsh communities and enable the Welsh Government to build on the strengths and weaknesses of the English system.

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, said: ‘Community halls, playing fields and post offices all play a central role in providing crucial services and keeping people connected in our communities. However, the current challenging financial climate has placed great pressure on such facilities.  When buildings and services which are working well and are important to the community are at risk of closure, we want to enable communities to take over ownership. This will not only ensure these key services continue, but also create jobs and skills opportunities for local people.

‘The consultation I am launching today, sets out ways we can help protect important assets across Wales. This includes exploring whether introducing a new law, specifically tailored to Wales, would best serve communities across the country. I believe in the power of our communities and I look forward to hearing people’s views on this important topic.’

Lesley Griffiths will launch the consultation at Monwel Signs, a successful social enterprise in Ebbw Vale which has been run by the local community since 2013, when ownership was transferred from Blaenau Gwent Council. Monwel, which is the largest manufacturer of road traffic signs and signage in Wales, provides employment to disabled people and to those who have previously been out of work for a long time or faced barriers to employment.

Leslie Barr, Managing Director, Monwel, said: ‘It is a pleasure to welcome Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty to Monwel.  This will allow her to see the good work which is being done following an asset transfer, the safeguarding of employment of 29 local people and a further employment of 5 more.’

Blaenau Gwent Council is a forerunner in community asset transfer, taking positive steps to help transfer facilities to third sector organisations where appropriate. Councillor Steve Thomas, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Business Services said:  ‘In Blaenau Gwent we are working towards becoming a more modern authority and we have been able to use Community Asset Transfers as a positive way of maintaining some services and keeping them at the heart of our communities. Facilities that have been transferred to community groups, social enterprises and charities have ranged from sports halls and community centres to park lodges and even a cinema and we are looking to build on this success over the coming months.’

View the news release

View the consultation

IHBC newsblogs on localism

In response to the expected Queen’s Speech inclusion of a Cities Devolution Bill the Local Government Association (LGA) has proposed radical reforms which could lead to up to £20.6 billion in potential public sector savings.

The LGA writes:
Devolution must reach all corners of England in order for communities to share in the Government’s ambition to address the nation’s economic and social challenges, according to a report by local government leaders. 

The Local Government Association (LGA) white paper on devolution includes a warning to the new government that the principle of cuts without reform could stifle growth and development and challenge the sustainability of vital local services.

Today’s publication builds upon the evidence of three independent commissions that all conclude devolution must reach non-metropolitan England, responsible for 56 per cent of national output, and sets out a roadmap to achieve this.

The paper also brings together views from across the LGA’s 372 member councils and acknowledges the Cities Devolution Bill, expected in next week’s Queen’s Speech, but argues that devolving only limited powers to metropolitan regions does not go far enough.

In response, the white paper and its fully-costed supporting documents argue that if radical reform is pursued, up to £20.6 billion in potential public sector savings could be identified, as well as more than £80 billion in economic growth, 700,000 new jobs and many other benefits from devolution, including:

• Supporting the elderly to live independently and addressing a £1.9 billion adult social care funding-gap that is rising by £400 million a year with the ageing population.
• Building 500,000 more homes by incentivising and reforming house building programmes and catering for some of the 1.7 million households currently waiting for an affordable home.
• Providing every child with a place at a good local-school, halving the number of jobless young people and investing in training and education to close the gap on a skills shortfall set to cost up to 25 per cent of growth, by 2022.
• Increasing employment by replacing the £620 million Work Programme with two devolved schemes dealing with the long-term unemployed and the 2.5 million disadvantaged claimants separately.

Cllr David Sparks, Chair of the LGA, said: ‘Local councils recognise the need for change and are proposing a new partnership with government to strengthen our country from the ground up and establish an equitable settlement for England.  The evidence is overwhelming and devolution within England is the most effective way to create jobs, build homes, strengthen healthy communities and protect the vulnerable in all parts of the country.  Now is the time for bold solutions to help revive local democracy, strengthen our nation and deliver better and more efficient services over the course of this next parliament and for the parliaments to come.  If we are to rebalance our economy ultimately all places, from our great cities to the powerful engines of our economy in non-metropolitan areas, need greater freedom from Whitehall.’

Recent public opinion polling found that in every part of the country, eight out of 10 people of those surveyed supported giving more decision-making powers on issues such as tax, education and policing to local areas.

Modelling by Ernst & Young shows that devolving more decisions over public services to local areas would save between £9.4 billion and £20.6 billion while Key Cities estimates devolution could save £12 billion over the next parliament.  While the Government’s Cities Devolution Bill offers cities with an elected mayor new powers the LGA is calling for an English Devolution Bill and a fair Spending Review settlement that enables local fiscal retention while allowing people to choose an appropriate system of governance.

Cllr Sparks continued: ‘Local government’s offer to the new government is simple, give local communities the freedom and powers to play their full role in economic and social prosperity.This would improve the outcomes for local people, families and communities, maximise the value for money of public spending and strengthen democratic accountability for public services.  We are certain that by working together, we can provide the foundations on which the country’s success can be built.’

View the news release

Download the LGA Devo Next proposal document

The future of a turf-roofed roundhouse in Pembrokeshire, dubbed the ‘hobbit house’, has been considered by a planning inspector who will determine whether the scheme should enjoy retrospective planning permission as a development that meets government guidelines on sustainable development under the so-called One Planet Development policy.

Megan Williams and Charlie Hague, both 27, have now spent more than three years fighting against the demolition of their distinctive home.

Planning Portal Blog

The Royal Horticultural Society have launched a campaign aiming to reduce the impact of the loss of garden space to driveways and paving, following the publication of its report which analyses the plant coverage of garden spaces and concerns relating to flooding and health. 

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) writes:
Greening Grey Britain is a new campaign to tackle the growing number of grey spaces spreading across our comunities and transform them into beautiful green places. It is an RHS call to action to get the nation growing, to address the creeping loss of green spaces across our towns, cities and villages.

In 2015, parks face a crippling lack of proper funding, and gardens continue to lose out to paving for cars. This trend for grey replacing green degrades the living environment, increasing flood risk and reducing air quality. It also has dire consequences for wildlife and has been linked to growing mental and physical health problems.

Greening Grey Britain sets out to challenge this. We want to work together with Bloomers, community groups and schools to see thousands of grey spaces transformed into great green places for people and wildlife. 

View information on the campaign

Download the report

Neighbours of the Kensington town house painted in red and white stripes to annoy opponents of plans to demolish it and replace with a new house plus a basement are mounting a legal challenge over consent for the scheme, won on appeal.

The owner of the town house also faces action from Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council, which wants the stripes removed as the planning authority claims they adversely affect the amenity of a conservation area. 

Planning Portal Blog

SAVE have issued a statement welcoming a holding direction that suspends planning permission for Kings College’s plans while ministers consider whether to call in the application for public inquiry, and Historic England’s change of position on its assessment of the harm the proposed works might cause, which is now considered to be ‘substantial’. 

SAVE writes:
SAVE welcomes Historic England’s reviewed stance on the Strand: they now conclude that King’s College’s proposals to demolish four buildings and retain only the façade of a fifth causes substantial harm to the conservation area.  This renders null and void their original letter that supported the scheme and would have been key to the decision that was made by Westminster Council when it approved the demolition and development scheme in April.

The revised position follows almost a month of public outcry reflected in the numerous articles, letters and leaders in The Times, the Evening Standard and other media. SAVE’s petition addressed to the Principal of King’s College and the head of its estates committee, gathered 9,000 signatures in 3 weeks and is still growing. Latest supporters of the campaign include Michael Palin who said in a statement to SAVE this week: ‘I’m against the destruction of these properties and the proposed replacement.’

Historic England wrote today in a letter to The Times, that is supported by an online statement:  ‘As we originally said, the loss of the buildings would damage a historically important part of London, which is clearly cherished by all those who have spoken up. We stand by this view, but have further tested the harm against Planning Practice Guidance and our review has found that the degree of harm would be substantial. This group of buildings is integral to the character and appearance of the wider conservation area.

‘It is for Westminster City Council or, should the case be called in, for the Secretary of State, to weigh up the public benefit of the proposals. But we would like to acknowledge the high level of public interest in this case, and look forward to the best outcome for the Strand and the conservation area.’

This change of position from Historic England redoubles the case for public inquiry. SAVE is appealing once again to the Secretary of State Greg Clark MP to call the case in.  Historic England had originally weighed up the public benefits of the scheme themselves, but now make it clear that that is the role of the planning authority or the Secretary of State.

In the light of this changed position SAVE calls on King’s College London to revise its position.

We thank all our supporters who have written to Greg Clark MP requesting a call in and urge those who have not yet done so, to write to him.

SAVE’s grounds for requesting a public inquiry can be found in our previous press release 

View the news release

The National Assembly for Wales has now passed the Planning (Wales) Bill, and the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee (CELGC) have invited submissions of written evidence to assist in its consideration of the Bill (closing date 19 June) 

The Welsh Government writes:
The Welsh Government’s Planning Bill has been passed by the National Assembly for Wales and, subject to Royal Assent, will soon become law.

The Bill provides a modern, flexible and streamlined planning framework, improving resilience and encouraging consistent, timely decision making whilst engaging with local communities at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Minister for Natural Resources, Carl Sargeant said: ‘I’m delighted that this Bill has been approved by the National Assembly and that the people of Wales can soon look forward to a world class, more streamlined planning system which is fit for modern Wales.  The Bill has always had fairness and positivity at its core, and through listening to, and working with, stakeholders and the Environment and Sustainability Committee today’s Bill strikes a delicate balance between enabling development, supporting the economy and supporting our communities.’

Cllr Andrew Morgan, WLGA spokesperson for planning said: ‘Local planning authorities in Wales work hard to ensure Wales’ planning system works effectively for businesses, communities and for our environment.  Local councils in Wales will play a vital role in the implementation of many elements of the new Planning Bill, and in delivering on the bills ambitions for planning reform. We look forward to working with Welsh Government on implementing the reform process, which must be delivered in a way that recognises the significant financial challenges currently faced by local planning authorities and local government in Wales as a whole.  It is vital that the right level of support is provided and that we all work to ensure that there is capacity in the system to deliver these reforms effectively.’

View the news release

View information on the Planning Bill 

View information on how to respond to the call for evidence

Discussions on city devolution and creating a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ have moved a step further, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne confirming that the Queen’s Speech will contain ‘a bill to enable a radical new model of city government’ 

Chancellor Osborne’s speech states:
We will hand power from the centre to cities to give you greater control over your local transport, housing, skills and healthcare. And we’ll give the levers you need to grow your local economy and make sure local people keep the rewards. But it’s right people have a single point of accountability: someone they elect, who takes the decisions and carries the can.

So with these new powers for cities must come new city-wide elected mayors who work with local councils. I will not impose this model on anyone. But nor will I settle for less.

View the full speech

The owners of a Welsh ‘holistic’ retreat established on a small-holding near Llandrindod Wells have appealed an enforcement notice requiring them to remove structures that include three shepherds’ huts, an eco classroom and a ‘tree house’ which has a kitchen, a lounge, off-grid electricity, a hot tub and shower.

Powys County Council served the order on the couple who have lived at the site for nine years arguing the developments required planning permission.

Planning Portal Blog

‘Golden’ – at 21 (69ft) metres tall, one of the tallest sculptures in the country and costing some £130,000 of Section 106 monies – is set to dominate the North Staffordshire skyline, replacing the Potteries Pyramid, which will be moved to the nearby Chatterley Road roundabout when Golden is officially unveiled. 

The city authority writes:
Designed by award-winning artist Wolfgang Buttress, it has been unveiled on the old Goldendale ironworks site, in Chatterley Valley. Locals for many years referred to the ironworks as ‘the flame that never dies’ due to the amber glow that would be coming from the factory, and the sculpture aims to recreate that sense of atmosphere.

Made from corten steels which links to the steel previously manufactured in the area, Golden features 1,500 hand blown glass prisms attached to the column of the artwork. Each one contains a memory or wish written on handmade paper by hundreds of people in the local community. The sculpture includes powerful LED lights which will shine at night to symbolise the flame and act as a prism during the day to reflect sunlight around the piece.

Paul Bailey, the council’s culture and events manager, said the sculpture reflects the history and environment of the area. He said: ‘The community has been heavily involved with this project from the start and that has been really important because the sculpture is all about telling the story of the history of the area. A lot of people will still remember when the steelworks were here, know people who worked there and still picture how it was lit up at night because of the flames.

‘Visually and contextually, Golden holds strong cultural significance as well as being used to engage and unite the local community. We want it to provoke fond memories of the area but also act as a landmark for hope and a bright future across the city.’

The sculpture – one metre taller than the Angel of the North in Gateshead – has been funded using £130,000 of Section 106 monies through planning agreements secured, following developments in Chatterley Valley. The money was ring-fenced, meaning that it could only be used on new public art or maintaining existing public art in the area. The landscape surrounding the sculpture will also be completely transformed with new benches, paths and access gates due to be fitted.

Megan Ryan, chairman of Nash Peake Street Residents’ Association, has been involved with the project since the beginning.

She said: ‘There has been a lot of excitement about the sculpture arriving and when I saw it on site, it almost brought a tear to my eye. Once all of the landscaping work is complete, it will be an area where people of all ages can come and relax, have a picnic and enjoy the stunning views for miles around.’

Each prism is held out from the main body of the sculpture by a short stalk, giving the artwork a bristly appearance. Local arts group Letting In The Light were commissioned by artist Wolfgang to collect the wishes and memories, and although people won’t be able to see the actual messages, the not-for-profit organisation plans to publish them online and in an accompanying book to be released shortly.

Sarah Bonam, project and community development officer for Letting In The Light, said: ‘We worked in lots of places across the community from the market to schools and supermarkets to get people’s memories and wishes for the future, which have been incorporated into the sculpture. It’s been a great project to be involved with and one which has really engaged with the local community.’

On a previous site visit the Wolfgang found a piece of iron from the old works which has a remarkable resemblance to a human heart. This will be suspended in the interior of the artwork to represent the beating heart of the community.

Speaking after the installation, Wolfgang said: ‘I’m really happy that Golden has been installed. It’s been a lovely journey working with some amazing and supportive local people which has made the whole process worthwhile. I’m looking forward to seeing Golden illuminated and the space opened up for the enjoyment of local residents and visitors alike.’

Golden will take pride of place in the Stoke-on-Trent sculpture trial, which features a collection of 40 important, imaginative and fascinating public art sculptures, each with a unique story to tell. An officially opening and switching-on ceremony for Golden will be held in the summer at a date yet to be decided.

It will replace the Potteries Pyramid – which will be moved to the nearby Chatterley Road roundabout when Golden is officially unveiled.

Stoke Gov press release

The first ever female winner of the Skills Build awards was awarded at this year’s Skills Build awards, as Demi-Leigh Graham won the Joinery New Entrant category. 

CITB writes:
Demi-Leigh Graham was ‘amazed’ when she became the first woman to win a prestigious newcomers award at SkillBuild – and says she will be in it to win it next year too.

The 17-year-old from Whitefield, Greater Manchester, was named regional winner of the Joinery New Entrant category during the 2015 construction skills competition.  ‘I am definitely going back to SkillBuild next year,’ says Demi-Leigh, who is studying carpentry and joinery at Bury College. ‘I don’t know if I’ll win but I’ll definitely give it a go!’

The SkillBuild 2015 North West heat took place at Stockport College. The challenge was to build a wooden frame using different kinds of joints in just four hours.

‘I was nervous at the beginning, but when I finished I knew I’d done a good job,’ says Demi-Leigh. ‘I was amazed when I won and felt really happy.’

Demi-Leigh decided on a building career after studying for a Construction GCSE at Castlebrook High School. She started her NVQ Level 1 at college in September and hopes to continue studying construction at university. ’I am thinking of architectural model-making as a career,’ she says. ‘I really enjoy construction because it’s all hands-on. It isn’t like school. It’s practical and I prefer that.’

Demi-Leigh says more young women are joining the construction industry and is proud of being the first female to scoop the New Entrant title.  ‘There are only three women in my class of 18 but more women are interested in construction careers and my friends aren’t surprised by what I do,’ she says.  ‘It’s difficult for a woman in a competition because it tends to be all guys, so you do feel you’re under pressure and people are looking at you. That’s why I was so proud to have proved myself.’

Demi-Leigh couldn’t wait to tell her grandad the good news about her success. He was a joiner before he retired and she is following in his footsteps.  ‘I rang my grandad in Cornwall to tell him I’d won and he was really pleased,’ says Demi-Leigh.

‘When I was growing up I remember seeing the things he made, including a fish tank and some cupboards, and thinking it looked an interesting job. I was right!’ 

View the news release

Information on Skills Build

This week a series of events were held throughout Scotland to raise the profile of apprenticeship opportunities and careers, with many construction and built environment events, support from CITB for pledging apprenticeship placements and a £125,000 funding boost for female STEM apprenticeships. 

Events included:

• Apprentices working on Historic Scotland funded Saltcoats Town Hall
• The Scottish Federation of Housing Association (SFHA) Apprentice Challenge
• Falkirk Council Traditional Building Skills showcase and workshops
• Historic Scotland Craft fellows working on sculptural projects 

The Scottish Government writes:
Women will receive further help in taking up careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from a new programme to support Modern Apprenticeships (MAs).

The Scottish Government is investing a further £125,000 in the CareerWISE initiative to raise awareness of STEM MAs to girls and their parents, break down barriers to women taking them up and showcase employers taking action to address gender diversity in MAs.

CareerWISE, which is delivered by Equate Scotland at Edinburgh Napier University, was created in 2013 to raise awareness of STEM careers for girls from school age onwards. The announcement coincides with the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2015, the annual showcase to highlight the benefits of MAs to both employers and potential trainees.

Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham said: ‘The CareerWISE programme has made a considerable impact over the last 18 months however there remains the need to address gender balance in the STEM sectors in Scotland.  The Scottish Government still firmly believes that there is no such thing as a job for a boy or a job for a girl. Our continued support for the CareerWISE programme and its new focus to support young women access STEM MAs sits at the heart of our drive for a more productive and fairer work place.

‘I am very pleased to be able to fund this very specific piece of work that CareerWISE will take forward. This is further illustration of our determination to respond positively to recommendations of the report into Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.

‘We need more women to take up non-traditional career paths to achieve gender equality in the workplace. We are also committed to creating 30,000 new MA opportunities every year by 2020 and more women placed in STEM sectors will help us move towards that goal.  This year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week looks like being the biggest yet with dozens of events up and down the country with a number of Scottish ministers getting involved in both local and national initiatives. BT have already seized the initiative by announcing 90 new MA posts on Friday, and I hope the next week’s activity encourages even more employers to consider the advantages of MAs to their business and the wider economy.’ 

View the Scottish Government news release 

More information on the work of EQUATE initiative

Information on support from CITB for apprenticeships in the Pledge Campaign

View more information on the construction events which took place as part of Scottish Apprentice Week  

IHBC newsblogs on construction and heritage skills

One of the innovative actions proposed as part of the Farrell Review is due to be launched  later this year, with PLACE professionals being embedded in local authorities. 

Tony Finn of the GLA advocated the proactive planning and public service section of the Farrell Review, his report suggested embedding PLACE professionals (including Urban Design and Regeneration professionals) in Local Authorities).

The Public Service report states that ‘The initiative would be to the built environment what Teach First is to education, and Frontline is to social services. Its mission would be to build a better everyday environment for all’ (p.3)

Building Design Magazine reported that the scheme is now due to launch later this year in Greater London.

Read the article on the launch of the scheme  (registration required)

Download the full report

IHBC newsblogs on Farrell

A new website which is designed to record all UK war memorials (including modern conflicts) has been launched this week in a partnership between English Heritage, Civic Voice, The Imperial War Museums and War Memorials Trust. 

Civic Voice writes:
First World War Minister Helen Grant today visited the Grade II listed Watford Peace Memorial and announced an ambitious four-year programme to create ukwarmemorials.org, a one stop shop for information on all UK war memorials along with where to go for advice and funding.

The move means local people will once again be at the heart of protecting and conserving war memorials.

Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport from the fines paid by banks that attempted to manipulate the LIBOR, the initiative draws resources together from across the UK.

The website will allow easy access to what specialist organisations know about war memorials and tap into expert advice on how best to look after them. This includes how to get grants for conservation and how to get memorials listed. It will expand in stages over the next four years so that by the end of the project ukwarmemorials.org will be easily searchable, helping people track down historical information, listed status, condition and inscribed names.

The website will eventually cover war memorials commemorating all modern conflicts up to and including Afghanistan.

Visiting Watford Peace Memorial, successfully restored by the local community with a grant of almost £5000 from the War Memorials Trust, Helen Grant said:

After the First World War, war memorials were erected across the country in a huge wave of remembrance. They were and remain records of our nation’s sacrifice, our personal and collective memories carved in stone. Our part in this ongoing story is to learn, record, restore and protect them for the future.

Drawing attention to a series of new listings, from the Tintagel Cross War Memorial in Cornwall to the Alnmouth War Memorial in Northumberland, Helen Grant said:

I am delighted these monuments have been listed and protected. It is wonderful to see how deeply people care about their local history and want to preserve it.

Chair of Civic Voice, Dr Freddie Gick said  ‘This initiative demonstrates the importance we attach to remembering the contribution made by millions of men and women who gave their lives during the First World War. We are delighted that Civic Voice and the civic society movement will be playing a major role in helping to ensure that the country’s war memorials are in a fitting condition to reflect the price paid by earlier generations. We are pleased to work with our partners English Heritage, War Memorials Trust, IWM and DCMS on this project’.

View the news release

View the website

IHBC newsblogs on war memorials

This week the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced details of £98 million investment into nine projects, while a guest blog written by the HLF chair Sir Peter Luff discusses the value of industrial and scientific heritage to the UK.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) writes:
Nine projects benefit from nearly £100m National Lottery investment – boosting scientific, industrial and cultural heritage for future generations.

Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced support worth £98m for nine major sites in England and Scotland. The stories to be told include that of the UK’s ground-breaking role in science and industry from the invention of radio astronomy at Jodrell Bank to our unique railway heritage; from one of the world’s earliest factories at Derby Silk Mill to the world’s largest medical collection at the Science Museum. They will increase awareness and understanding of our scientific and industrial heritage, inspiring the scientists and engineers of the future.

• £12.1m to revitalise Jodrell Bank, Cheshire’s internationally-renowned centre for astronomy and home to the Lovell Telescope
• £8m to reimagine the Science Museum’s extensive Medicine Galleries
• £9.3m to restore and open up Derby Silk Mill in the Derwent Valley
• £10m to make Great Central Railway, a unique double-track ‘preserved’ railway between Loughborough and Leicester, the home to a new railway museum with a working track
• £9.5m to help the British Library save the nation’s endangered sounds

HLF is also giving new life to three further museums and a cathedral:

• £10.3m to redevelop Dorset County Museum, a geological and palaeontology treasure trove on the Jurassic Coast
• £12.4m to restore and open up Lincoln Cathedral, one of Europe’s most spectacular medieval cathedrals
• £15m to refurbish one of Glasgow’s most popular museums, the award-wining Burrell Collection
• £11m to transform an East London gem, the Geffrye Museum, into a more vibrant and welcoming site

Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said: ‘National Lottery money continues to make an absolutely vital contribution to our culture and heritage in the UK. I’m thrilled that nine exciting projects across England and Scotland will benefit from this significant £98m investment.’

‘Whether it’s a new railway museum in Leicester, the Lovell Telescope at Cheshire’s Jodrell Bank or saving the UK’s most vulnerable sound recordings at the British Library – these grants will not only make a lasting difference to local areas and the UK’s wider heritage, but will also use culture to inspire young people to learn more about science and technology for generations to come.’

View the HLF news release

See details of all nine heritage attractions in England and Scotland via DCMS’s Immersive website

View the DCMS blog entry written by HLF Chair Sir Peter Luff

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) today released figures on volunteering in culture and arts by adults in Northern Ireland in 2013/14, revealing the top reasons why people volunteer and the profile of events which take place (such as fundraising, museum related opportunities and governance). 

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) writes:
Just over one in ten adults (11%) had volunteered in culture and arts within the last year while less than one in every twenty adults (4%) had ever volunteered at a major culture or arts event.

About two-fifths of volunteers carried out fundraising roles, while around one fifth were involved in teaching and event management. More than four-fifths of culture and arts volunteers (83%) stated that having fun/ enjoyment was a benefit of volunteering in culture and arts.

The publications are available on the DCAL website

View the news release

Volunteer with the IHBC 

English Heritage (EH), has launched a search for its first ever CEO- a Child Executive Officer: under-13s only need apply, and must do so by 7 June as excuses for late or missing submissions cannot be accepted. 

English Heritage writes:
English Heritage, the charity that looks after over 400 historic places across England, from Stonehenge to Hadrian’s Wall, has today launched a nationwide search for its first ever CEO (Child Executive Officer).

The new role has been created as part of its Kids’ Takeover season this summer and English Heritage is now looking for a CEO with a difference to lead this season of events and fun activities. The charity is calling on all children aged 12 or under who love castles and forts and battlefields and who have lots of imagination to put themselves forward for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The first task in the new Child Executive Officer’s in-tray will be making the wishes of thousands of children come true. The CEO will ask kids from all over the country for the fun historic activities they have always wanted to do, whether it’s a sleepover in a castle, leading a Roman army into battle, or locking their Dad in a dungeon. The Child Executive Officer will then work with English Heritage to make this History Wish List come true as part of its Kids’ Takeover season.

The Child Executive Officer will provide a kid’s eye view on English Heritage’s summer events programme and on some of English Heritage’s most iconic sites, including Stonehenge.  The CEO will be supported by a special Roundtable of six children who will help spread the fun across their local sites.

Emily Sewell, Head of Events at English Heritage, said: ‘We want to get a kid’s eye view of history and let them takeover this summer. We already have a wealth of fun and exciting events for families at our sites but our first ever Child Executive Officer will put children firmly in the spotlight and give them the opportunity to get hands-on with history and do things they’ve never done before.’

‘We’re looking for someone who is imaginative, who can be a kids’ champion, and who can play their part in bringing history to life. We can’t wait to see the entries.’

To apply for the role of English Heritage Child Executive Officer, children will need to say what period in history they would most like to travel back to – and why – and tell us what fun activity from the past they would most like to do. Shortlisted children will be invited to a fun audition at an English Heritage site near to them. The successful Child Executive Officer and Roundtable will be revealed at the beginning of July.

The successful Child Executive Officer will receive lifetime membership of English Heritage, a birthday party with their friends at their favourite English Heritage castle, a stay at one of English Heritage’s holiday cottages, and much, much more.

Children can apply at English Heritage sites or online. Applications open on Thursday 21st May and close at midnight on Sunday 7th June.

View the news release and find out more about the CEO competition

Submit an application online

The BBC show ‘24 hours in the past’ has transported participants to a challenge to live within a particular time period for 24 hours, adopting roles typical of that time, a recent episode had one participant thinking about building design.

On a recent episode, one of the participants Alistair McGowan is brought to tears by the splendour of Victorian architecture, and pondered why some current buildings do not quite have the same standards.

View the article on Alistair McGowan and a clip of the show on the BT TV website

View all of the episodes on BBC I-Player