Pam Moore reports on the first two years of the CBA South Eastern Region Industrial Archaeology Panel DIGGING IN The past few years have brought major changes co industrial archaeology, and co perceptions of its place in che archaeological world. Increasingly, IA is being accepted as covering the period from the onset of industrialisation co che more recent past. The Association for Industrial Archaeology recencly published an important policy document Industrial Archaeology - Working for the Future* which provided a statement of the scope of the discipline, together wich recommendations for priorities for action. Another major initiative has been che establishment, by che CBA of six Industrial Archaeology Panels for England (IAPs already existed in Scocland and Wales). The background co the formation of these Panels was ouclined in Context 29 pp 39-40. The South Eastern Region Industrial Archaeology Panel (SERIAP) held ics inaugural meeting on 7 June 1990, at The Cascle, Winchester, with representatives from English Heritage, RCHM(E), che AIA, the IFA, and the lnscicucion of Civil Engineers Panel for HistoJical Engineering Pam Moore is Convener of SERIAP. * Copies available from Dr Marilyn Palmer, Department of History, The University, LeicesterLEJ 7RH - pleasesendA4 SAE POTMOLEN PAINT, 27 Woodcock Industrial Estate, WARMINSTER, Wiltshire BA 12 9DX, England. 8 Telephone: Warminster (0985) 213960 Telefax:0985 213931 Works, as well as several County Planning Departments and industrial archaeology societies. One of che most important functions of che Panels has been co facilitate liaison between those involved professionally and those in a voluntary capacity. The membership of che SERIAP has grown steadily and now includes representation from archival and museum bodies, specialist groups (such as che Newcomen Society) the Victorian Society; SPAB; RTPI; National Trust and the ACO (John Davey is your representative). A welcome recent development has been the nomination by Wessex Archaeology of a representative, the first on the SERIAP from an archaeological unit. The Panel's terms of reference were drawn up soon after its establishment. As well as confirming structure and administration, it defined the body's role, function and priorities for action. In the two years since, progress has been made in a number of areas. Liaison between local industrial archaeology groups and SMR officers has increased, with efforts being made in several counties to enhance the SMR with additional sites of the industrial period. A 'contact list' for the SE Region is being prepared, as is a bibliography for the area of IA-related publications. Other copies which have been discussed by the Panel include che COSQUEC initiative; legislation relating co the establishment of registers of contaminated land; and the threat posed co some sices of industrial archaeological significance by the privatisation of public utilities. One of the benefits of the improved communications facilitated by the formation of the panels, has been the provision of a forum where specific concerns can be raised. Through che auspices of che SERIAP, a record has been made of the Snowdown Colliery site in Kent, and a new home was found, in Hampshire, for machinery from Woodnesborough Water Pumping Station in Kent. Although SERIAP has made a good beginning, and is now in a period of consolidation, its first two years have not been without their problems. The area covered by che Panel-Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Hampshire, Herefordshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey and Sussex-is a very large one, with a diversity of character in terms of industrial archaeology. le had been hoped, originally, co hold meetings in each county by rotation; this did not prove possible and the panel now meets twice a year in Central London. le has also been necessary co emphasise the role of the panel as a forum co facilitate closer co-operation, rather than as a 'pressure group'. The intention is chat the panel should feed into the policy-making process, rather than itself being a policy-making body. Comment from ACO members about the CBA panels would be welcomed. If you would like co suggest subjects which you feel should be addressed, or ways in which liaison might be improved still further, please contact (for the South-Eastern Region), either myself (20, Stourvale Gardens, Chandlers Ford, Hanes SO5 3NE), or your representative, John Davey (Department of Technical Services, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford GU2 5BB). For other areas of Britain, contact can be made through your ACO representative, the appropriate panel convener, or c/o the Secretary of the panels' parent body, che CBA IA Committee (Mr M Sissons, 1 Far Coton, Markee Bosworth, Nuneaton CV 13 OPJ). John Davey writes: Ac the meeting of the South East Region Industrial Archaeology Panel, held at Fortress House i'n October, concern was expressed that with che privatisation of the public utilities there is a growing threat to a whole secror of industrial archaeology. Many pumping stations, power stations, gas works and so on, are being sold off by the privatised industries, and generally they have no statutory protection. Where a district has a Conservation Officer there is less concern as che spot listing process is likely to be taken advantage of. However, in the 'gap' areas there is more opportunity for these buildings co go unnoticed, and che panel has asked that all ACO members maintain a vigilant role in both their own and adjoining areas. CONTEXT 36
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