{"id":39244,"date":"2024-03-05T16:05:42","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T16:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogsnew.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=39244"},"modified":"2024-03-04T18:01:51","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T18:01:51","slug":"testing-works-calls-for-conservation-trustees-etc-for-care-of-gii-london-engineering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=39244","title":{"rendered":"Testing Works calls for conservation trustees etc for care of GII* London engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Testing Works has asked the IHBC to post a notice to members and readers who might be interested in helping with the governance of its small volunteer-run charity, caring for and celebrating the work of Victorian engineer David Kirkaldy.<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

\u2026 both the building and – unusually – the working machine, are listed Grade II*\u2026.<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

Sarah Jarvis, Director and Trustee, writes:<\/p>\n

\u2026 Kirkaldy\u2019s Testing Works is a rare survivor in Southwark\u2019s Bankside – built and opened 150 years ago this year as the world\u2019s first purpose-built commercial independent testing works housing Kirkaldy\u2019s patented 47-ft Universal Testing Machine. The machine is still in working order (it still pulls metal apart) and both the building and – unusually – the working machine, are listed Grade II*. Much more info here https:\/\/historicengland.org.uk\/listing\/the-list\/list-entry\/1385928<\/a> and here https:\/\/www.testingworks.org.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Although we have pretty good knowledge on engineering, materials and education, we do not have any in-house expertise on the conservation side – and this is increasingly apparent as we are currently in lease negotiations for a new and longer lease, on more favourable terms, to ensure the Testing Works has a viable future.<\/p>\n

\u2026 We are not an Accredited Museum but see ourselves as a heritage site and education space and hope, once the lease is secured, to build further on this with a funding application to National Lottery Heritage Fund. We know this will require a substantial understanding of conservation issues and management planning, and while not looking for a trustee to do this work themselves, we would be glad to have that understanding and expertise to help us commission (and find funding for) the necessary work in future.<\/p>\n

We would be very pleased to talk further with anyone who\u2026 feels they could help us and would like to find out more about Kirkaldy\u2019s and our mission and vision.<\/p>\n

Hopefully our website is a good place to start but please do direct anyone who would like to, to get in touch with me directly.<\/p>\n

\n

Testing Works writes:<\/p>\n

A small team of trustees and other volunteers continue this work, keeping the Testing Works open for regular monthly visits and demonstrations as well as encouraging experts and non-experts alike to discover this remarkable place in the heart of London\u2019s Bankside.<\/p>\n

Our trustees are:<\/p>\n