C O N T E X T 1 1 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 29 IHBC Annual School 2010 IHBC Annual School 2009 IHBC Annual School 2010 Annual School reports by bursary winners Nourishing fare at the start of a career The IHBC’s East Midlands branch offered bursaries to the IHBC Annual Day School to students and newcomers to the industry from the profit from the successful Annual School the branch organised in Buxton last year. Two recipients reflect. I would like to thank the IHBC’s East Midlands branch for offering the bursaries, and for choosing me. There were two conditions for the bursary.The first was to become more active in branch events and the second, to write an article which may be published in Context.The latter nearly put me off applying. Having spent 14 years as a kitchen designer, my writing was limited to the occasional compliments slip, and the assignments for my degree were read only by my lecturers. The day was daunting. I left Derby at 6.30 am (a time most students do not know exists) and arrived in a room of complete strangers. I found myself staring at name badges, hoping to find someone from the East Midlands branch. By luck, in the lecture room I found myself sitting next to the other bursary winner. The presentations were very interesting. I was asked to compare them to university lectures, but those were three hours long and the presentations were 25 minutes each. Because the talks were aimed at people working in the profession, some acronyms and trade talk did pass me by. Rosemarie MacQueen’s inspiring whistlestop tour of Westminster projects led me to include brown roofs [roofs covered with a layer of locally sourced material such as gravel, rubble or spoil, which will in due course become colonised by flora and fauna, improving biodiversity] in the regeneration scheme for my final year project, so thank you. Mike Harlow’s look at PPS5 with regard to a project carried out under PPG15 could have been more confusing to someone lacking a working knowledge of either policy, since his talk was aimed at the conservation professional. Luckily the case study used was a building that we had a discussion about in a lecture, so it did make sense to me. I was looking forward to Ian Dungavell’s talk on swimming baths because I studied baths for an assignment. I was not disappointed and fully support getting these buildings back into use – where possible as swimming pools. Roberts Elms’ talk about London had me both confused and enthused, not knowing the areas he was discussing but recognising his obvious his passion about London and its buildings. Some of his viewpoints were controversial in conservation terms, but where would the movement be without controversy and passion? The breaks offered a chance to speak to various like-minded people. It was an especially good networking opportunity for a student or someone starting their career. For that alone the Annual School is well worth any member attending. The trade stalls were useful for my final assignments and indeed hopefully in my future career. The bursary is a great idea.We all need a little help as we enter a new career. Lastly, as someone living off student loans for the past three years, the food was great. Thank you. Lynda Tomkins, studying the IHBC-accredited BA Hons in architectural conservation at the University of Derby Learning about excellence As an employee of a buildings preservation trust, I found the IHBC Annual Day School to be a great opportunity to learn more about excellence in the provision of conservation services. I was pleased to see that Chris Sumner of the London Parks and Gardens Trust was flying the flag for the contribution that the voluntary sector can make. Loyd Grossman, in his keynote speech, noted that the current reduction of government expenditure may require English Heritage to adopt a more enabling role. I felt that the achievements of the London Parks and Gardens Trust demonstrated what can be achieved if voluntary sector organisations are supported and enabled to contribute to heritage-led regeneration. Rosemarie MacQueen promoted excellence in involving and engaging local amenity societies, charities and community groups as stakeholders in the historic environment of Westminster. Her view that the economic and social resilience of a place was enhanced by the quality of this environment is one I think all delegates would agree with, and one that should be highlighted to decision makers at this time. Overall, the Day School showed how historic building conservation can both inform change and adapt to it. The case studies illustrated the value of the range of professionals working within the sector. Liz Bates, historic buildings manager, Heritage Trust for Lincolnshire
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