NEWS COUNIRYSIDESTEWARDSHIPSCHEME: REPAIRTSO1RADITIONALFARM BUILDINGS The Countryside Stewardship Scheme will be transferring from the Countryside Commission to the Ministry of Agriculture in April. MAFFintends to introduce a number of new elements to the scheme including grants for repair of traditional rural buildings. Rather than Countryside Stewardship's usual system of standard payment rates for specified work, building restorations will be treated as one-off special projects because they are likely to be highly variable. Grant payments will be based on a percentage of actual costs against an agreed restoration plan. MAFF is currently considering criteria for assessing acceptability and local priorities for grant: ACO will be involved in this process along with ACAO and English Heritage. MAFFwill be introducing new consultation arrangements to seek CORRECTION Myapologies for incorrectly naming the author of 'The Glazier's Role' ( Context 48) asAlbert Fisher views on applications involving traditional buildings. It will be writing shortly to all local authority Conservation Officers and archaeological officers to explain these in detail. It is intended that all such applications will be copied to the Conservation Officer and archaeologist for an initial rapid response as to whether the building is a suitable candidate for restoration and brief comments on proposals. Officers will also be given the opportunity at that stage to request further involvement in the case. If so, they will be consulted in detail on the restoration plan. listed buildings consent will still be required and the Conservation Officer will clearly play a role in such cases, but these additional arrangements give greater opportunity for local and specialist views to be considered in all cases. when it should have been Alfred Fisher. My apologies. Mr Fisher, who is the Conservation Advisor on stained and leaded glass to the National Trust and was co-founder TIIE CONSERVATION PORTFOIJO In the March 1996 edition of the Portfolio are: Clement Brothers - Steel Window Manufacturers and Glaziers Sibert TechnologyManufacturers and Suppliers of Decay Detection Equipment D. W. WindsorHeritage Style lighting and Street Furniture Peter Cox Scientific Services - A Division of Peter Cox Group Specialising in New Technologies using Non Destructive Techniques such as Thermographic Surveys and Dry Rot Management Cranleigh Brick & Tile Company LtdRestoration products CONTEXT49 and Partner of Chapel Studio, has recently changed address and is now in practice at 9 The Highlands, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 3EW. Tel: 01923 770891. Unfortunately, the paired illustrations on page 9 of the article were printed on their sides, but Mr Fisher has also pointed out that he intended his caption for the top illustration to read: "The superb texture of 18th century Crown Glass mixed with earlier Broad Glass". Editor. RESURGAM Hutton &Rostron Environmental Investigations Ltd has recently formed a new division, Resurgam, to manage the Historic Building and Site Services of the Department of Conservation Sciences of Bournemouth University to provide a combination of diagnostic and advisory skills, laboratory facilities and information systems for the care of historic buildings. Resurgam will offer a comprehensive service in building performance investigations, especially in historic structures and their materials, conservation planning, maintenance management, archaeological site conservation and the conservation of decorative features and finishes. For example, currently, monitoring systems are in place to take regular telemetric readings of critical building performance characteristics at Windsor Castle. There is also a partnershipunder the European EUREKA project to develop environmental methods of controlling building decay and, with Bournemouth University, operate a DTI Teaching Company Scheme for the development of movement sensors and an on-line knowledge-based method for the diagnosis of masonry decay. A SHORTHOIIDAY FOR'M'LEARNED FRIEND' It would appear that at the risk of considerable disruption to the Government of the United Kingdom, the Courts of Justice decided not to sit, and the current Parliamentary session was suspended to permit 'M'Learned Friend' a short break. This enables Conservation Officers to sit down and read his excellent book knowing they will not have to worry about missing any significant legal developments in the last quarter! 'M'Learned Friend' will return refreshed in June. COVERSTORY Conservation Officer having just heard of English Heritage's expenditure plans for 1996-97! THINGS SEEN Spotted in Kreuzberg, Berlin, by Tim Penton, this security grille shows that it is still possible to make witty additions to old buildings. LE1TERS CHOICEWORDS Dear Editor Forgive this attempt to bring a little levity to the earnest pages of ourjournal. Throughourfrequent appraisals of the lists we come across some intriguing and obscure references to architectural details, one of which I include below. Do any other Association members have some similar examples to offer? Spencer Cottage, Coleford, Devon Grade II*- "Hall has late C 16-early C 17 fireplace built of stone rubble including many squared blocks of volcanic stone. It has a C20 replacement timber lintel, an CJB inserted cloam oven and a hearth of upended states" (sic). David Morgan, Exeter 5
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