CONTEXT 178 : DECEMBER 2023 7 of an uncompleted urban plan, and a disconnected and foreign element in the rest of the local built environment. This lack of formal heritage recognition meant that many subsequent interventions in the form of maintenance and renovation were often performed without the necessary care. The paper is worth reading in the context of modern buildings, not yet considered worthy of formal protection, that may be altered in the interim to make them insufficiently intact and for future statutory protection. Bulletin of the War Memorials Trust The Bulletin of the War Memorials Trust (for example, No 98, August 2023) highlights the many examples of the exemplary grant-aided repairs to memorials throughout the UK. Each case is illustrated with before and after photographs of the sensitive and appropriate works. The trust continually seeks public engagement, not least in seeking assistance from the conservation team to identify mystery war memorials. It frequently publishes photographs of examples still unknown to it (seven in the August issue), asking for help and identifying them and their locations. Bob Kindred MBE OBITUARY Gordon Sorensen, publisher Gordon Sorensen (1959–2023) was for more than 20 years the publisher of Context, his work behind the scenes doing much to make it the journal that it is today. Working with him was a delight. Nothing was too much trouble for him where Context was concerned, and always his gentle sense of humour shone through. He shared our mission to make the journal as readable, accessible, entertaining, attractive and informative as possible. Members of the editorial board have been deeply saddened to learn of his death at the age of 64 after a cancer diagnosis. Gordon was managing director of Cathedral Communications, which he founded in 1993 with Liz Coyle Camp and Jonathan Taylor. Cathedral began by publishing The Building Conservation Directory, which brought free information about conservation technology, materials and specialist skills to thousands of practitioners. Other publications quickly followed, and Cathedral published for several organisations in the heritage sector, including the ASCHB, CIfA, HB&P and, of course, the IHBC. Before founding Cathedral, Gordon had been enjoyed success as an accountant with Price Waterhouse (PwC). His business experience and the skills he acquired were invaluable in running a new company, and developing it over 30 years. Cathedral became publishers of Context in 2002, introducing innovations such as full colour throughout, progressive improvements in design and layout, and recruiting the advertisers who help to make the journal viable. Gordon was a much-loved pillar of his local community in Tisbury, near Salisbury. He was chair of the local community transport service and treasurer of the medieval St John’s Church. He was a formidable sportsman on the tennis court, and in the ice hockey and roller hockey arenas, having come to ice hockey growing up in Ottawa. He represented Great Britain in the Roller Hockey World Cup and played for Tidworth Titans inline hockey team. Gordon leaves a widow, Liz, and two daughters, Shona and Maisie, to whom we send our condolences. (Painting by Rob Cowan) St John’s Church, Tisbury (Photo: Rob Cowan)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=