48 C O N T E X T 1 5 0 : J U L Y 2 0 1 7 conference’s proceedings have been made available online to the public. The lengthy publication presents a compendium of knowledge for anyone seeking information about methods for improving energy efficiency of historic properties. It presents views, ideas and solutions for climate-sensitive heritage building adaptation that meets modern standards of energy efficiency while accommodating the needs of the building users. It highlights best practice methodologies for application and knowledge transfer. It features industry experts from across the globe, and presents case studies that we can all learn something from. Among its range of case studies, it discusses post-war buildings in Edinburgh, traditional English terraced houses, private residencies, public buildings and Unesco protected sites, and it looks at wider city systems. Some papers present technical solutions, while others consider how to incorporate these solutions through well-informed and appropriate governance and planning. Retrofitting buildings will continue to be at the forefront of government efforts to reduce emissions. This publication presents a rare opportunity to look at a variety of options available to buildings that respect and account for the historic value and unique characteristics of the traditional built environment. Regardless of the profession, anyone interested in improving energy efficiency of historic properties should be encouraged to read through these proceedings for a comprehensive selection of high-quality research. Pat Graczyk, sustainability officer, EdinburghWorld Heritage Flint and timber Traditional Homes of the South Downs National Park: an introduction Annabelle Hughes, Sussex Archaeological Society, Lewes, 2017, 86 pages, 68 colour illustrations, 7 black & white illustrations, ISBN 978 0 904973 26 6, £9.50 Traditional Homes of the South Downs National Park is a small book, but it punches well above its weight. The author, Annabelle Hughes, is well known in Sussex and Surrey for her research into vernacular structures with the Wealden Buildings Study Group. The breadth of her observation over the years shines through the pages of her book. Although intended as an introduction for the intelligent layman, the conservation professional will certainly find many nuggets that will surprise, entertain and inform. Her subject is the vernacular house between the 13th century and the early-Georgian period within that stretch of Hampshire and Sussex now covered by the South Downs National Park. Although only a few miles deep, the park describes a cross-section of a geologically complex band of England. Chalk is only half the story; the malmstone, ironstone, clays and greensands of the Weald complete the picture. This complicated geology contributes to a rich pattern of frequently localised building materials above ground. It is only really flint from the chalk that forms a unifier along a mostly narrow band, east to west. The other great unifier is the preponderance of timber-framing. Hughes is strong in identifying the variations in tradition, technique and chronology, often quite strident, evident between Hampshire and Sussex. She is particularly thoughtprovoking when discussing locations such as Harting,West Sussex, where these framing traditions meet. Such analysis is only to be expected in a study of this kind. However, the author goes on to guide her reader through documentary sources and, with them, the fundamental building blocks of the agrarian societies which created the buildings. She describes the importance of the manor and its distinction with the demesne, touches on relationships between the parish and early minster parishes and, exploring an urban context, outlines the borough, the burgage and the significance of the burgess. This analysis of human hierarchies, status and social structure is essential if we are to fully understand the built legacy of the medieval past, but it is easily overlooked in the dedicated study of buildings. The author excels in her skill in combining these two sides of the same coin, and arguably breaks new ground by doing so in a format so compact and concise. The book assumes next to no prior knowledge of the subject on the part of its audience; it even provides a list of kings and queens from Edward the Confessor to Victoria. However, it does demand a fairly high level of interest and general intelligence. It is to be hoped that the gentle reader will take the time and effort to engage with an authoritative, if intense, text and not simply be diverted by the illustrations, many of which are almost too attractive. Perhaps the only disappointment is a clear decision to stay within a tight interpretation of the chronological bounds of vernacular architecture and the local sourcing of material. Hughes does not attempt to take us very far into the 18th century, even though canals had a very limited influence in the south and the arrival of the railway was the real harbinger of change. Given the varied, enchanting and ingenious ways the Georgians found to lend a polite veneer to inherited ancient structures in southern towns like Lewes, this may be seen as a missed opportunity. However, this reservation is a quibble. Traditional Homes of the South Downs National Park is, in truth, rather more than an introduction and might be read with profit by most people with an interest in the built legacy of the medieval and early post medieval world, not only in the south of England but further afield. Michael Scammell, a conservation officer for the South Downs National Park Authority An amazing collec on of traditionally-built homes, ranging in age from 250 o over 700 years old, can be found within theboundsof theSouthDownsNationalPark.Thisguideaims toprovide the tools foranyvisitor tobecome theirown ‘HouseDetective’, throughunderstandinghow thesebuildingswere constructed,how theyhavealtered over thecenturies,howearlierown rsmighthaveused them,andby lookingat thedifferencesbetween townand countryside.Byappreciating thestoriesofsuchbuildingsyoucanhelp tomakesure theywillstillbe there for future generations towonderat. AnnabelleHughes has lived inHorsham since 1970, and has nearly thirty years’ experience of investigating, analysing and makingwritten recordsofbuildings,mostly inWest Sussex. In1980 she joined theWealdenBuildings StudyGroup,and then embarkedon the long road that led toherdoctorate (1989)ontimber-framedbuildings in theirhistorical setting. As aprofessionalhistorianwith a special interest in traditionalbuildings, shebelieves that through examining and recording thebuildingsof aparish,hamletor town, abetterunderstanding canbe gainedof theway a localityhasdevelopedover the centuri s,andhelps towards shapingandpr tecting ts future. In 1986 shewrote HorshamHouses,was a contributor to the SussexHistorical Atlas (2000), provided text for West Sussex Barns&FarmBuildings (2002)andediteda volumeon clergyprobate inventories for theRecordSociety (2009). Shehasservedon thecommitteesof theWestSussexArchiveSocietyand theSussexRecordSociety,and iscurrentlyPresident ofTheHorshamSocietyanda trusteeof the town’sMuseum. Shecountsherself luckytohavesatatthe feetofpioneers inthefieldsuchasRoyArmstrong,MarjorieHallam,RobinMcDowall, SylviaBright,KennethGravettandPeterGray. Traditional Homes of the South Downs National Park An Introduction by Annabelle Hughes TraditionalHomesof the SouthDownsNationalPark–An Introduction Hughes SouthDowns -TraditionalHomes - cover.indd 1 24/10/2016 09:12:08
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