38 C O N T E X T 1 2 2 : N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 caring and sharing way.We don’t want it to end sounding like an episode of Oprah or be left with snivelling wrecks. But we do need the revelations. The Book Programme will feature the latest publications with Mariella Frostrup, Bob Kindred, our government liaison officer and past editor of Context, and Context reviews editor Peter de Figueiredo. Bob will also host the Book Group, where readers will question authors about their work and motivation, recorded and broadcast from Bob’s front room. Great Lives will be a programme in which Matthew Paris and the vice chair invite members to discuss their personal inspirations and the great lives of conservationists of the past. The Food Programme might be a problem, although I could host a review of restaurant choices submitted by members and visit them to sample the offerings and report back. Economics must be represented, though, so Stephanie Flanders and Dave Chetwyn, our immediate past chair, will present a programme which picks apart the economic arguments around the historic environment. Dave will conduct some hard-hitting interviews with civil servants and policy makers who have not quite accepted the obvious connection between a cared-for and maintained historic environment and economic prosperity. Dave will also have a spin-off programme to set out the sustainability issues called Costing the Historic Earth. All this is quite serious and learned, so for the afternoons we may need some lighter offerings. Radio 4 has the Archers and I am a devoted follower. I am sure there is mileage in a story line around the lives and doings of everyday conservation folk. I know we don’t have the drama of unpredictable milk yields, prize-winning Herefords, Borchester Land’s bid to build a livestock market in Felpersham or galloping e coli. But I am sure we could supply numerous diverting storylines based around the antics of conservation officers, English Heritage advisors or eccentric clients. It could be an Archers/James Herriot fusion, with tales from the planning department or conservation consultancy, and engaging building owners and quirky crafts people on site. I can imagine film deals. The Afternoon Play will have to be conservation- and building-focused: a serialisation of A Tale of Two Cities, or A Town Like Alice, Night at the Museum, Historic Mill on the Floss, Listed Bleak House, Abigail’s PartyWall, Life is Sweeter with a Conservation Officer, The Importance of Being Earnest About Brickwork and so on. The early evening schedule will feature a few comedy slots, including the News Quiz, hosted by a short woman with experience of handling funny people with strong opinions (IHBC council, perhaps) and finally Book at Bedtime. This will be a selection of soothing stories read by branch representatives in rotation to help us all relax at the end of a hard day. All in all, I think it’s a riveting schedule which would combine beautifully my two passions. If anyone fancies joining me, I think I can get hold of an almost seaworthy boat offered for sale by a Mr T Blackburn and a Mr Lee Travis. Radio IHBC is born! Jo Evans, chair@ihbc.org.uk PRACTICE AND THEORY: MANAGING CHANGE IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS Helen Hughes 16-18 January CONSERVATION AND REPAIR OF ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL METALWORK Geoff Wallis 30 January-2 February METALWORK - OPTIONAL DAY OF PRACTICAL WORK Geoff Wallis 3 February MORTARS FOR REPAIR AND CONSERVATION Colin Burns 13-16 February A development of the former English Heritage Programme CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BURSARIES ARE AVAILABLE T: 01243 818219 E: cpd@westdean.org.uk West Dean, Chichester,West Sussex PO18 0QZ www.westdean.org.uk/college To advertise situations vacant in Context, please phone Cathedral Communications on 01747 871717 Looking for the right professional for the job?
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