4 EDITORIAL This. issue of Context looks closely at architectural salvage and its implications for historic buildings; both those from which materials or features are taken, and those to which they are ~dded. From a small scale and largely mnocent trade 20 years ago, the 'rescue' and sale of the fabric of buildings has become a widespread, profitable, and fashionable business; and, ~s with any lucrative activity ~especially one where the commodity mvolved is a diminishing resource), there are moral and legal issues, and practitioners at and beyond the boundary of legality. There are also h~mse~owners whose urge to acquire h1stonc features for their properties operates with as little historical relevance as a Cecil B de Mille early 1950s biblical epic. As always the conservation officer is in the thick of it: advising owners, chasing miscreants, and possibly also running his own salvage yard for the local authority. John Fidler initially looks at the rights and wrongs of the business, and Steven Parissien gives a more specialise?. view f~om the Georgian Group. Philip Davies of Westminster City Council and Micky King of Liverpool City Council review the problems of combatting architectural theft in the cities. Moving on to the practical problems of re-use, John Preston desc_ri_besthe experience in Ely of trad1t1~malsalvage practices, re-using roof-ules, and a code of practice for reuse. Keith Murray and Norman Smith both run their own salvage schemes for their respective County Councils, and explain how it's done. David McLaughlin examines a well-run and successful commercial yard, Walcot Reclamation in Bath. Many thanks to all the contributors. I hope that we have covered most of the issues; if not, keep the discussion going with further contributions and reactions. Also in this issue, we hope to commence a debate on the future of conservation area legislation. Andrew Saint of English Heritage focuses on the problem of the protection of early 20th century planned housing estates. Next issue: Conservation and Information Technology Can I remind members that the next issue of Context is concerned with Information Technology and will look at the way in which national and local authorities are using their systems to improve the accessibility and completeness of records; to monitor their results and performance; to administer ~rant sc_hemes;or any other applicat10n which was impossible in practical terms before the widespread adoption of computer systems in local authorities. If you have experience from which you think others could benefit, please write in now so that I can assess, the likely range of applications to be covered. I am interested in hearing of any specialist software which may have proved useful, of any instances of collaboration between authorities - and of course also any instances of disasters, pointless exercises or applicati_onsto be avoided, knowledge of which may save others time and money. I expect a very great disparity in the experiences of members; some lik~ me_still struggling to grasp the basic J?nnc1plesof word-processing or adoptmg the Luddite position, while others crouch gleefully over their terminal at 3 am, hacking into the Royal Commission's mainframe in search of confidential survey details. Whate~er your interests, please be user-friendly and input your data to the usual address ... ADVERTISEMENT The Conservation Portfolio In the November/Decen1ber 1989edition of the portfolio are: 1 Dorothea Restorations LtdRestoration services for historic structures and equipment James Hetley & Co LtdPeriod glass for old buildings KeymerTraditional hand made clay tiles Kingswood ServicesLtdArchitectural lighting, fountains & furnishings MetalockA complete service for the cold mechanical repair of cast iron and other metals Richard Quinnell LtdArchitectural metalworkers, Wrought Ironworkers, Blacksmiths NEWS SETTING UP BUILDING PRESERVATION TRUSTS The Architectural Heritage Fund plans to publish by December a much needed booklet on how to set up and run a BPT. Provisionally titled How to rescuea ruin the booklet will replace a similar publication dating from as long ago as 1972 and will draw on the experience gained by established trusts in the intervening years. Its eight chapters illustrated by photographs and drawings will deal with the background to the BPT movement and the s~ope for expansion; the legal formalit~es_and _pr~c.ticalitiesof starting up a limited liability company with charit- • able status; outline the management of a first project and offer advice on VAT ~nd fund raising. Appendices will mclude a prototype project and guidance on historic building legislation. T~e likely price inc postage in the UK will be about i'.4.00.More information in the next issue. To encourage the formation of new trusts and to revive interest in moribund trusts, the AHF has very recently appointed a Development Officer to be based in Manchester but operating nationwide. If you want to get a BPT off the ground you should contact: Maria Perks, Development Officer, The Architectural Heritage Fund, Environmental Institute, Greaves School, Bolton Road, Swinton, Manchester M27 2UX tel: 061794 8035. PROMOTION OF NATURAL YORK STONE PAVING ~embers proposing to organise Regional or County based events in the near future might like to bear in mind that Marshalls Mono Ltd has offered to do presentations to ACO groups around the country on the production and use of York Stone paving. It takes the form of slides showing current quarrying and cutting methods and completed schemes. If you want to book it, contact: Mike Astin, Natural Stone Division, Marshalls Mono Ltd, Southowram Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 9SY tel; 0422 366666. CONTEXT24
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