CONTEXT The Association of Conservation Officers Problems of rural non-domestic buildings Centre pages: Conservation courses update •
ffiubor ~oof Wile @o. 1fiimiteb Manufacturerosf HANDMADCELAYROOFTILES StrengthandFrosttestedto BS402 @~ ~ IATIONII ACCREDITATION DICERTIFICITIDI BDDl!S Certificate No. FM 11616 B.S. 5750 Registered Company Suppliedwithfullrangeof fittings,OrnamentalsO, astand KentPegs,Flat andCrossCamberedAvailablein fivecolours,SussexRed,SussexBrown, Red,MediumAntiqueandDarkAntique. NOWAVAILABLE TudoruniqueINVISIBLUENDERTILEVENTINGSYSTEM. Theessentialcomplemento a HandMadeclaytileroof. Countryhouseandoutbuildingsrefurbishedin TUDORTraditionaHl ANDMADECLAYROOFTILES in a mixtureof MediumAntiqueandDarkAntiquecolours. Acceptedin sensitiveareasand regardedbythe mostdiscerningspecifiersas the finest handmadetileon the market.Tudorgivethe highestgradeof serviceto our customerswho cantakepleasurein theirinvestmenkt nowingthat theyare addingto the qualityof the environmenat nd our heritage. TUDORROOFTILECO. LIMITED DengeMarshRoad,Lydd,KentTN29 9JH 1991 Telephone01797 320202 Historic Houses Association Award Winner Fax01797 320700
CONTEXT Editor: Bob Kindred (Ipswich Borough Council, Tel: 01473 262934, Fax: 01473 262974) 4 Henley Road, Ipswich IPl 3FS, Tel: 01473 259441 Deputy Editor: Liz Marten (North Herts District Council, Tel: 01462 474411) 10 Kristiansand Way, Letchworth, Herts SG6 lUE Production Editor: Jonathan David, Tel: 01582 763415, Fax: 01582 467480 Context is published quarterly and is distributed to all members of the Association of Conservation Officers. © Association of Conservation Officers 1996 ISSN: 0958-2746 Published for the Association of Conservation Officers by Hall-McCartney Ltd, Heritage House, PO Box 21, BALDOCK, Herts SG7 5SH. Tel: 01462 896688 Fax: 01462 896677 Nonmember subscriptions to Context Context is available to nonmembers of ACO at an annual subscription rate, including postage, of: United Kingdom Elsewhere £36.00 US$93.00 Subscription orders, together with remittances payable to HallMcCartney Ltd, should be sent to the address shown above. OFFICERS CONTENTS No50 News June 1996 5 REVIVING CRAFT SKILLS What do we mean by craftsman? Philip Venning 8 Solid foundations. Historic Scotland's development work. lngval Maxwell 10 Woodchester Mansion.Jamie Vans 13 Craft training in the building industry. Bob Bennett 16 An enduring structure: companies and training in historic building. David Linford l 7 The Brooking Collection.Julie Wakefield 18 'Supporting Columns': Craftsmanship in Bali. Brian Morton 21 Whatever happened to Conservation Advisory Panels? Bob Kindred 24 Courses in historic building conservation in the United Kingdom. Prepared by John Selby and Rob Pickard, ACO Education Committee The SPABAutumn repair course. Andrew Vines Salvation and conservation. Dr Thomas Cocke on the work of the Council for the Care of Churches I'm sure it's leaning more. Monitoring structural movements. Part 2. Ian Hume A time to think and plan. The conservation problems of rural non-domestic buildings. Part 2. Carole Ryan M'Learned Friend. Charles Mynors on two recent decisions relating to objects in listed buildings Sponsorship and the built environment. Geri Morris Gazebo: the National Lottery and the nation's parks. Judith Roberts Sir Titus: Local listing. David Morton ACONews Book reviews 26 28 30 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 THE ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION OFFICERS fll Ri Ri PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS ISSUE Front cover: Woodchester Mansion. Photo: Margaret Lister p 6: special bricks. Photo and diagrams: Ron Martin pp 8 and 9: craftsmen in action. Photos: SPAB pp 10-12: photos Historic Scotland pp 14 and 15:Woodchester Mansion. Photos: Margaret Lister p 18: trainee carver. Photo: Linford Bridgeman/Tony Evans p 19: the Brooking Collection. Photos: Roy Furness pp 21 and 22: craftsmanship and construction in Bali. Photos: Brian Morton p 32: I'm sure it's leaning more. Photo: Ian Hume p 46· instruments for monitoring structural movement. Photos: Ian Hume p 38: repairing a waterwheel at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. Photo: Sheffield Newspapers Ltd p 39: Sydenham recreation ground. Photo: Judith Roberts jJ 43: Chris Smith. Photo: Charles Green The views expressed in Context are not necessarily those held by the ACO or the publishers. Neither the publishers nor the ACO shall be under any liability whatsoever in respect of contributed articles. The products and services advertised in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the Association. Chairman: Mary King (Liverpool City Council, Tel: 0151-225 5678), 24 Beech Road, Holt Green, Ormskirk L39 6SJ Consultations Co-ordinator: Graham Arnold (Sefton Borough Council, Tel: 0151-934 3574), 13 Sefton Drive, Liverpool LS 3SD Vice-Chairman: Alan Taylor (Staffordshire County Council, Tel: 01785 277282), 15 Village Gardens, Walton on the Hill, Stafford STl 7 OLL Secretary: Dr Richard Morrice (English Heritage, Tel: 0171-973 3132), PO Box 301, Brighton, E Sussex BN2 lBQ Treasurer: Robert Parkinson (West Oxfordshire District Council, Tel: 01993 770247), The Old Priory, Priory Lane, Bicester, Oxon OX6 7BG Membership Secretary: Gus Astley (Bath City Council, , Fax: 01225 477674), Manor House, Wells Road, Hallatrow, Bristol BSl8 5EJ, Tel/ Answerphone: 01761 453047 BRANCH OFFICERS North: Keith Murray, Tel: 0191-383 3237 ext 2237 North West: Graham Arnold, Tel: 0151-934 3574, Fax: 0151-934 3587 Yorkshire: Bob Scriven, Tel: 0113-266 8782 CONTEXT 50 West Midlands: Roger Cullimore, Tel: 01926 450000 ext 3107, or Peter Davies, Tel: 01782 742402 East Midlands: Graham Beaumont, Tel: 0115-982 3823 South West: Paul Dadson, Tel: 01823 255425 Education Co-ordinator: John Selby (South Cambridgeshire District Council, Tel: 01223 443000), 77 Deacons Lane, Ely, Cambs CB7 4PS Technical Panel Co-ordinator: Marion Brinton (Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Tel: 01256 844844), Development Department, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, Hanes RG21 4AH. Publicity Officer: Kathy Baird (North Shropshire DC, Tel: Business: 01939 232771; Other times Answerphone/Fax: 01691 656516), Edinburgh House, New Street, Wern, Salop SY4 4DB South: Julia Smith, Tel: 01296 382823 East Anglia: John Preston, Tel: 01223 463341 ext 2630 South East: Rob Fraser, Tel: 01273 712619 London: Rosemarie MacQueen, Tel: 0171-798 2455 Scotland: Bernard Dee, Tel: 01334 12796 Wales: Neil Sumner, Tel: 01222 820028; Claire Deacon, Tel: 01437 764591 ext 5195 Northern Ireland: Laurence Manogue, Tel: 01232 23500 ext 279 3
4 PRESERVINGOURHERITAGE Ourpropertiesincludesix ScheduledAncient Monumentsand23 ListedBuildings. SevernTrent Water Ourachievements wererecognised bya BritishArchaeologicalAward. Wecarefor over20,000hectaresofland at reservoirs and treatmentworks. SevernTrentWaterare pleasedto support the 1996 BuildingConservationConference. If you would like a copy of our Recreation & ConservationAnnualReviewpleasewrite to The MarketingDepartment,SevernTrentWater, 2297 CoventryRoad, Birmingham826 3PU, or telephone01217224000. HAND CRAFTED ~ he beauty and durability of ~ patterned Door and wall tiles has been appreciated since the 12th Century. During the Victorian period encaustic tiles wi:re in common use around the world - a time regarded as the golden age of ceramic tile design. With a continued appreciation of this era, H & RJohnson present Minton Hollins ...The finest collection of period rq,roduction tiles ever assembled. THE MINTON HOLLINS COLLECTION The Minton Hollins Specialist Products Department is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of period tiled floors and wails. WIth an unparalleled portfolio of p-estigious worldwide commissions the department offers a unique service encompassing hand craned bespoke tiles. murals, renovation and technical advice, complemented by a complete in-house CAD and design facility. Recent commissions have included: Capitol BuJlding,Washington, USA, Palace of Westminster, St Saviours, London, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, USA, New Zealand Parliament Building, Hurlingharn Club, London, Melbourne Club,Australia, St Aidan's, Eire. Manchester Crown Courts, Liverpool Town Hall to name a few. MINTON HOLLINS ~ • H & R f/A\~11 JOHNSON~ AIIIOHCIIOSc~ FM2a1, Forfurtherinformation Phone 01782 575575 or Fax 01782 577377 or write to the address below: Minton Hollins Specialist Products Department CX, H & RJohnson Tiles Ud., Highgate Tile Wori<s, Tunstal~ Stoke-On-Trent ST6-ijX. TRADITIONAL HAND DECORATED WALL TILES CONTEXT 50
NEWS COMMENT Is a little self-satisfaction in order? We have reached our 50th issue and almost at the point when ACO reaches 15 years of existence. Well, actually that would be September, but ACO has never been characterised by that degree of formality! These are momentous times, particularly after the decision at the OxfordAGM to continue towards Institute status. This is covered by Mary King's Notes from the Chair elsewhere in this issue. prognosis is not quite as apocalyptic as presented in the April/May 1996 issue of Perspectives in Architecture. The encouragement and promotion of craft skills has no easy solutions and here ACO members can perhaps have less room for self-satisfaction. ACO was formed in a room at the Crafts Council and the preservation of craft skills and the fostering of high standards of repair for historic buildings has always been one of the most fundamental day-to-day concerns of Conservation Officers. Have our actions borne much fruit? Without the continuous development of training, the hands-on skills and experience of crafts-people and the knowledge transfer to the new recruits, all our professional expertise and all the policy making in the world will not protect our heritage. It is a matter we ignore at our peril. Although topicality is always difficult in a quarterly journal, we aim to continue to maintain the high standards the Association has set for Context as we more forward confidently on the long road toward Issue 100! ARE THE CRAFTSIN CRISIS? The answer must be yes, but perhaps the SELLINGON PROBLEM BUILDINGS? The Association of Preservation Trusts has introduced a new initiative to its BPT members which may also be of interest to Conservation Officers. This involves offering a facility where an organisation entitled Pavilions of Splendour could act as agents for properties restored by BPT members of the Association. These could be jointly marketed by Pavilions of Splendour as a centralised agent, working in collaboration with the appointed local agents. Pavilions of Splendour was founded four years ago as a specialist estate agent and heritage consultancy, concentrating on listed buildings and dilapidated properties, to fill the market demand for buildings which in most cases, because of condition or architectural significance, departed from the normal remit of estate agents. The properties which they handle have to be listed, or ruined (i.e. at present uninhabitable), or thatched, or exceptional in some way by virtue of history, architecture or location. Its standard terms are 2·5% as a sole agency and 3% as joint sole agents. It prefers to work in conjunction with a local agent, which can arrange viewings. If appointed sole or joint agent on a property which sells for under £80,000 it charges a flat fee of £2,000 or£1,200 as a joint agent. CONTEXT 50 Pavilions of Splendour has a mailing list of 829 applicants looking for listed or otherwise rare properties. It prides itself in being able to get exceptional national and international media coverage for the properties it represents. Full particulars and photographs in colour of all properties are posted on the World Wide Web Heritage pages of the Internet, which can be, and are, accessed world wide. While the arrangements apply initially to property on APT's Property List, they may well be able to help Conservation Officers with other problem buildings outside the usual format of Buildings-at-Risk Registers. For further details about Pavilions of Splendour contact: Gwyn Headley, Managing Director, Pavilions of Splendour Ltd, 22 Mount View Road, London N4 4HX Tel: 0181-348 1234, Fax: 0181-341 0748. APT sees this initiative as a useful link between potential purchases of historic properties and BPTs but Conservation Officers should also bear it in mind. HELPWANTEDON MALTINGSANT ITS MACHINERY In December 1993 the William Jones & Sons' 1907 Mattings, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, building was provisionally entered in the Heritage Register established under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. The owners are currently appealing this decision in the Planning and Environment Court. In researching the case, it was established that the site with two earlier mattings constructed in 1897 and 1899, respectively, was acquired in 1904 by William Jones & Son (Maltsters) of Shrewsbury, and subsequently sold around 1922-23. In 1907 they constructed an additional floor maltings on the site, allegedly based on the design of an existing maltings in Shrewsbury. (now converted to offices). It has a single malting floor with storage for the barley and malt on the first floor and two kilns at one end. In the 1960s all buildings on the site except the 1907 maltings were demolished. The building was used intermittently for malting until the mid 1970s. It still contains all the original machinery supplied in 1907 by Robert Boby Co of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Experience to date has shown that the Planning and Environment Court will set very exacting standards in relation to the appeal, with the Department having to demonstrate clearly to the Courtthat the building is worthy of inclusion in the Heritage Register. Research to date indicates that the Toowoomba floor mattings is not only unique in Queensland (only one of five to survive) but, as an almost complete 1907 floor mattings with all original machinery, is a very rare, if not unique, survival in Australia. However, to assist the Court case, I would also like to try and place the building and its machinery in a United Kingdom context. Accordingly, I would be very grateful if readers of Context could supply details of any surviving floor maltings of this period, and in particular any information on surviving malting machinery from Robert Boby & Co. I would be more that pleased to supply further details of the Toowoomba Mattings to any person interested. Information should be sent to Ray Osborne, Manager, Historic Section, Cultural Heritage Branch, Queensland Department of Environment, PO Box 155, Brisbane Albert Street, Queensland 4002, Australia. THE LANDMARK ANDLUTYENS The Landmark Trust has recently signed a 99 year lease on Goddards, the Lutyens House at Abinger Common, near Dorking, Surrey. The house was given to the Lutyens Trust in 1991 by its former owners, Mr & Mrs M W Hall, as a memorial to their architect son Lee Hall. The Lutyens Trust accepted this generous gift without an endowment hoping to be able to make ends meet by opening the house to the public - particularly as so few of Lutyens's buildings in the Surrey style were easily accessible. After a gallant struggle in opening Goddards for three seasons on a limited basis, the Trust recognised that it needed outside help if it was to avoid the prospect of having to sell the building. By leasing the building to The Landmark Trust, the Lutyens Trust has maintained ownership, will still maintain an office there and at the same time the House will be open to the public one afternoon a week from 1997 onwards. (The Common Room and garden will be open on Wednesday afternoons between2.00and6.00pmfrom now to the end of October). Goddards is one ofLutyens's most important early houses. Built in the traditional Surrey style, it is constructed of stone, brick, roughcast and oak. Its courtyard garden was designed by Lutyens and planted by Gertrude Jekyll and remarkably the house has remained little 5
6 altered both inside and out. The house was built for Frederick Mirrieleesin 1898-1900andwas enlarged, also by Lutyens, in 1910. This later addition is a fine example of the work of Lutyens' middle period. Houses designed by Lutyens have remained disappointingly inaccessible, which is probably testimony to their success, in that they still make excellent family homes. Most are too small to be open to the public as a stately home might be, and yet they are of great interest to the enthusiast. Mirrielees wanted to build a house, or two cottages linked byaCommonRoom, "as a Home of Rest to which ladies of small means might repair for holidays". It therefore seems very appropriate that after a few repairs and minor alterations to update the services for modern use, parties of up to 12 people may be able to use it again as a place to repair to for a holiday, and to play skittles. A STRANGE REBATED BRICK FACING Following up my interest in Mathematical Tiles I was recently told of a house in Bexhill covered with bricks of a pattern which I have never seen before. The house was built in the 1850s and is a good class twoFront view ···v NEWS storied detached house. All elevations are covered with yellow bricks laid in stretcher bond each being 315 X 155 mm on face. The colour and texture are similar to other bricks found in the area. The quoins and window surrounds are all rendered so there are no edges of the tiles visible. I have been given a sample which was removed when some work was carried out. The material of the brick is 30 mm thick along one edge and 35 mm thick along the other edge. There is a 35 X 35 mm nib along one back of the thickest edge. In the back face there are 15 conical recesses each 10 mm diameter and about 10 mm deep. The sample that I have shows signs of mortar on all the internal faces and edges so it is difficult to determine how the bricks were laid. They were probably laid with the nib at the bottom with a 35 mm cavity between the facing and the brick backing but it is not known whether there was any form of tie. Presumably the indentations in the back face would be to form a key although this would seem pointless with the cavity. It is unlikely that the facing and backing were bonded together as the facing is not of normal brick course heights. Has anyone come across any similar type of brick facing and knows how they were used? Ron Martin, Secretary, Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society 3p1 ~-::>, lo,~-"-- 35,,-:J_ ' 0 Q '•,"-.. 35'f t,,'·, 0 0 0 "--. -~-. --::;~.;~-~~----,~- : : r- ----. '•,, ,, ........__._ D I I ·, ·, ' ·, ;[55mm 315 ,,;·~·<"-:"~ Rear view ··,·<:,~, --l. CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN BRITISH VERNACULARARCHITECTURE The University of Birmingham states that its unique part-time course will provide a detailed understanding of all aspects of British vernacular buildings; how, and by whom, they were built; what they were used for; and how they can be researched, surveyed and conserved. Aimed at the architect, historian, conservationist, teacher or those who act as a guide within a surviving vernacular FORTHCOMING ISSUES: DEADLINES ANDTHEMES Copy deadline for the Summer 1996 issue will beWEDNESDAY 17 July. Please adhere to this deadline. Issue 51 will concentrate on the 'Building Bridges' theme of the ACOAnnual School in Oxford. Other contributions, experiences, technical notes and case studies are welcome (space permitting) but articles under 2,000 words are much preferred. Copy in word processed form on 3.5" floppy disk would be appreciated where possible building or work in some other area of the 'heritage' industry. The course will be taught as a series of meetings once a month on a Saturday. For a further information booklet contact: The Marketing and Publicity Office, School of Continuing Studies, The University of Birmingham, 58EdgbastonPark Road, Birmingham B15 2TT. Tel: 0121-414 5607/5932/7259 Fax: 0121-414 5619. but please be sure to indicate what software it is written in on the label! If in doubt, the Editor or Deputy Editor will advise on what is desirable. Despite the miracles of modern computing, potential contributors are reminded that it is NOT possible to read floppy disks written in Apple Mackintosh format; only Windows (or well known DOS format) disks can be read. Furthermore/axed copy cannot be scanned in to Context or the Newsletter as the text at the Editor's end will be blurred. Any faxed copy not immediately followed up in the post with a clear hard copy_will be rejected for publication. THE CONSERVATION PORTFOLIO In the June 1996 edition of the Portfolio are: Eurocom Enterprise Ltd Uginox lead-free terned stainless steel I.C.I. Paints Heritage colours from Dulux Trade Keymer Handmade Clay Tiles New technical leaflet London Crown Glass Ltd Glass types and trade prices Orion Imaging Ltd Heritage Management System The Metal Window Co Ltd Conservation rooflight CONTEXT50
I D.C. & S.BROADBENTENGINEERING I Architectural and Restoration Ironwork Specialist The GardenArbour,MelbourneHall,Derbyshirec.1710 Committed to the highest standards of quality in the art of ironwork conservation D.C. & S. BROADBENTENGINEERING I THE FORGE, PAVEMENT LANE, MOBBERLEY,KNUTSFORD, CHESHIRE WA16 7ED TELEPHONE, MOBBERLEY01565 873743 FAX, 01565 872067 Glta§§for peiriod window§ The London Crown Glass Company specialises in providing authentic glass for the windows of period buildings. This glass, handblown using the traditional techniques of the glass blowers, is specified by English Heritage, The National Trust, the Crown Estates and indeed many others involved in the conservation of Britain's heritage. Specify authentic period glass for your restoration projects. • THE LONDON CROWN GLASS COMPANY Pyghtle House, Misbourne Avenue, Gerrards Cross, Bucks. SL9 0PD Tel/Fax 01494 871966 CONTEXT 50 Paint Removal Problems? use steam I>O:F"":F"" STONEHEALTH who introduced JOS now present you with I>OFF DOFF is a unique new steam system which removes oil based, thermoplastic and masonry paints, bitumastic coatings, heavy deposits of oil and grease etc. - and even chewing gum - without damage to the substrate for further information contact STONEHEALTH LIMITED, 73 London Road, Marlborough, Wiltshire. SN8 2AN Telephone & Fax: 01672 511515 THE TRADITIONAL LIME Co. • matured lime putties • mortars • renders • plasters • lime washes • pigments TRADLYM© TODAY'S RON{) WITH THF. PAST Church Farm, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Glos GL51 5:XX Telephone: (01242) 525444 Fax: (01242) 237727 7
8 REVIVING When William Morris died I 00 years ago, the future of the building crafts was perhaps looking a little less gloomy. He had after all started a revival in their appreciation. Today it is often said that there is a shortage of craftsmen. Paradoxically the blame for this is sometimes placed at the door of Morris, or more precisely the conservation approach he promoted through the SPAB, which, it is said, stifles opportunities for creative craftsmen to practise their skill. This complaint is principally heard from stone and wood carvers. In a limited sense this is true: we no longer recarve all the Mediaeval statues on the west front of a cathedral. But it goes to the heart of a much wider issue about the training of craftsmen and the failure of many courses to make a distinction between conservation and traditional craft skills. That in turn touches on even bigger questions: what is a conservation craftsman, what skills and qualities should he or she possess, and how do we identify such people? There has been a welcome increase in the number of courses which claim to offer craft training in conservation, but which in practice concentrate on executing new work. Most good historic buildings projects involve a careful mixture of repair, conservation and renewal, requiring a broad range of skills. Outside the rather specialised area CRAFT SKILLS To introduce this feature, Philip Venning considers what we mean by the term craftsman and discusses ways in which craft training is being improved of what we might call 'high' craft, in some parts of the country there appears to be a shortage of normal building contractors capable of carrying out good, traditional repair work to ordinary historic buildings. This is where Conservation Officers so often face the biggest problems and where they already play an important, though unofficial, educational role. Whether a man ribbon points or Robin George and Charles Smith, William Morris Craft Fellows, trying leadwork for the first time. flush points a wall is not normally a matter of skill: he can usually do either. It comes down to knowledge and understanding, perhaps his, perhaps the client's, perhaps the architect's or surveyor's The advice given by the Conservation Officer is critical. In turn the Conservation Officer needs to know how to judge good practice - a tall order. We only hope that more local authorities will be able to send staff on the SPABsix day courses (which always include a number of craftsmen) and other practically based ones. Much of it depends on attitude and approach. We know from experience that many tradesmen have the potential for good repair work. Plenty of skilled carpenters, given a chance to try it for the first time, quickly discover that repairing an historic widow, for example, is perfectly within their capabilities. We have probably all been to building sites where an initially sceptical contractor has been forced to try something new - lime plastering perhaps -and once he's got the hang of it has acquired the zeal of the convert. It is 18 years since the SPABheld its first Lime Day and we have been modestly pleased to see that an awareness of lime has slowly been moving out from the arcane inner circle of specialists to more general builders. This depends on a greater willingness of architects, surveyors and diocesan advisory committees, and indeed local CONTEXT SO
planning authorities, to specify it or advise on its use. The Society has not been alone in its efforts to revive traditional materials and repair methods, and several local authorities such as Essex County Council run an impressive list of training days on subjects like thatch and timber repair. These are admirable and deserve every encouragement. But however much a good Conservation Officer can coax out skills that may be in embryo, it is not true that anyone can simply pick up the ability to do work of the highest quality. Many skills can only be achieved after a lifetime's experience, which is why many existing craftsmen are highly dubious about the title 'Master craftsman' being developed as a qualification for new higher level courses. In spite of the terrible savaging the building industry has suffered recently, and in spite of the relentless downward pressure on standards caused by uncontrolled competitive tendering, there does at last seem to be a new awareness of the importance of craftsmanship The founding of the Heritage Contractors Group (see page 17), made up of the principal specialist historic building contractors, is a step towards maintaining quality. At the same time there are new NVQ qualifications emerging, matched by a growth of courses claiming to offer conservation in some form. Sadlyit is not clear that those running some of these courses understand what conservation is, believing it to be no more than teaching tuck pointing or some other special skill. Through the efforts of William Morris and his friends, the Arts and Crafts movement helped reinforce the role of craftsman as artist and not merely the skilled imitator. The SPAB Manifesto speaks out against the wasted effort of feeble and lifeless forgery. Much of the best Victorian 'restoration' was technically highly accomplished but uninspired. For the conventionally trained craftsmen, historic buildings work can fly in the face of all that he or she has been taught about the 'best' practice. To make something new may seem better than to repair it; to straighten up an uneven roof may seem preferable to leaving it distorted; to renew a worn but sound piece of stone may seem better than ignoring it. What is essential is that craft training inculcates an understanding of philosophy to enable the craftsman to make his of her judgement about the approach to adopt in a particular case based on much wider issues than simply the textbook answer. In an ideal world CONTEXT50 we believe that a craftsman's skill should depend on thorough training, proper experience, an understanding of philosophy, a love of old buildings and the work of past craftsmen, an appreciation of beauty, pride in workmanship, an awareness of other crafts, and artistic sense. Morris would of course have added freedom from industrial society to this list. Ten years ago the Society helped set up the William Morris Craft Fellowship as an advanced training for outstanding young craftsmen and craftswomen. This is a six month training programme, based on the SPAB's 66 year old Scholarship scheme, during which the Fellows travel the country studying onsite repair methods, the production of materials, craft techniques and so on. Its aim is to help craftsmen and craftswomen widen their knowledge and understanding of their own craft and that of others to prepare for them for supervisory positions in historic building projects and develop their own skill. It is run by a Committee chaired by SirPatrick Cormack MPand is funded entirely by benefactors. We are convinced that as the pool of former Fellows continues to grow there will be a steady raising of standards and awareness throughout the industry. More importantly we hope it will rajse the status of craftsmen to the point where their real skill is valued and where the building owner is happy to pay for the quality they will get. Philip Venning is Secretary of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Ockley Icebouse, Surrey. Fellows and Scholars (architects & surveyors) have rescued it and have been repairing it jointly. 9
10 SOLID FOUNDATIONS Ingval Maxwell describes Historic Scotland's development work on winning traditional Scottish building materials and fostering craft skills BACKGROUND To undertake effective conservation work it is critical that properly trained craftsmen have appropriate traditional building materials at their disposal. Through an integrated approach, Historic Scotland aims to encourage industry, and the education and training providers, achieve this objective. Against this framework Historic Scotland established a Technical Conservation, Research and Education Division in 1993. The Division is charged with the responsibility of researching appropriate issues, developing skills relating to the built heritage, and raising the standard of conservation practice among owners, contractors and professional groups. To achieve this it has been identified that there is a need to: D Undertake a programme of research initiatives relating to historic structures. in conjunction with others where relevant. D Disseminate the products of scientific conservation research and analysis through a structured and integrated approach to publications, lecturing and training. D Develop and improve training in conservation skills with Scottish educational institutions and colleges. D Devise standards for accreditation of professional competence and quality control D Investigate the supply of traditional building materials to encourage the revival of key industries. To be successful in the future, it is recognised that conservation projects must be driven by an integrated researched understanding, an improved education and training base, and the assurance that appropriate materials are going to be available when required. CURRENTAREASOF CONCERN A number of key issues can be established which have a direct bearing on the health of the existing building stock, and its future well being. Among these can be identified: D The poor level of external 'housekeeping' maintenance; D Age of building stock: a high percentage is Georgian and Victorian and the first major repair cycle is underway; D A reduction in the number of Scottish building stone quarries, from 1,200 to 19 has occurred in the last 150 years: Scottish slate, stone and lime are not available in the same original range; D There is a lack of: understanding of the geology of materials used, matching skills to the original, and awareness of how to build traditionally Perhaps, inevitably, there are a number of associated knock-on effects, the visual impact of which can contrive to reduce greatly the overall value of historic structures. Among these the following consequences can be noted: D adoption of modern and synthetic materials; D a high level of foreign imports used; D a loss of scale and character; D short term decision making; D life cycle costs are not taken into account; and D the economies of scale argument is misplaced. Against these difficulties, a steadily increasing awareness of a conservation approach in the building industry has been gaining ground over the last two decades. With this has arisen a deeper acknowledgement of our built heritage, and a growing understanding of the need to re-learn much of what we have lost. STONE The last strategic study into the use of stone as a building material was commissioned in 1977. This led to a Department of the Environment and Stone Federation report, published in 1980, entitledA Future for Stone. However, the study findings are now out of date, and many other changes have occurred in the interim. To obtain a comprehensive current overview of Scottish stone supplies, and their potential for use in future conservation and new build projects, Historic Scotland has commissioned the previous authors, Hutton and Rostron, to update their database and produce a new report. This will involve undertaking a study to examine ways in which the Scottish stone industry might arrest the decline in the use of indigenous natural stone, and give pointers on how the industry might reverse the trend of being a net importer of stone on an increasing scale. With the imported level of dimensional stone currently standing 27% higher than 1994, a total of 127,000 tonnes was brought into the CONTEXT 50
UKin 1995. Globally the trade increased by over 14% during that period, and is at present standing at 12 million tonnes/ annum. Increasingly, stone is being supplied by developing Far Eastern and South American countries, with European producers gradually losing their market dominance. Against that trend, the new survey of the Scottish scene will be timeous in its findings. SLATE No slate has been produced in Scotland since the early 1950s. As a result, current demand is being part satisfied through the import of slate into the country to the value of approximately £½ million per month. The majority of these imports come from the Iberian peninsula, although some come from as far afield as China and North America. With a view to assessing the extent of Scottish slate reserves, Historic Scotland has commissioned Glasgow University to undertake a major geological study. This will investigate quarry sources and update data last presented in 1944 with the publication of Wartime Pamphlet 40 on Scottish slate resources. In support of this exercise, a separate study has been initiated with Dundee University to try to quantify the extent of change which has taken place in the use of alternative roof covering materials. This is the inevitable result of not being able to find sufficient indigenous slates for our present building repair needs. The study will also attempt to assess the loss of local character, and value, in our historic building stock. Both studies aim to provide a strategic overview of the issues involved, with the underlying hope that the submitted information will assist decision makers and specifiers on the available, and future, potential for the material. LIME Over recent years there has been a steadily increasing awareness of the significant damage being caused to historic buildings as a result of the inappropriate use of cement in repair work. While a number of Scottish outlets still produce lime, none of that is readily available for use in building conservation work. To assess the quality of what is to hand, Historic Scotland has commissioned a scientific analysis of lime from 15 locations around Scotland. This information will be used to encourage industry to restart lime burning and slaking, as these two processes form a critical part of achieving appropriate traditional building techniques. If it is CONTEXT50 successful, this project will greatly enhance the ability of specifiers to choose the correct material to undertake sensitive repairs on the exterior and interior of historic buildings. Underlying this approach, Historic Scotland's conservation aim in the future use of lime is to achieve on-site solutions which effectively conserve and sensitively stabilise historic fabric. To achieve this fully there must be adequate: D professional and technical specifications, planning, and management of the works; D practical craft skills to carry out the work; and D understanding of the behaviour of the materials used by all those involved. To assist in this process, Historic Scotland has recently published three relevant technical publications: Preparation and use of lime mortars -Technical Advice Note 1 Conservation of plasterwork - Technical Advice Note 2 The repair of historic buildings in Scotland A supplementary publication, promoting the results of case studies into traditional lime harling, has also been produced. An associated consultation period based on that production is in progress until mid 1996 following which a more definitive document will be published. As part of the education process, Historic Scotland held a successful international conference on Lime in September 1995. This attracted 170 delegates, with representatives from 15 different countries. The event was used to launch the Repair of historic buildings and Use of lime mortars (Technical Advice Note 1) Which Scottish quarry will now supply appropriate stone? publications and was organised in conjunction with the Buildings Lime Forum and the Scottish Lime Centre. The Scottish Lime Centre Trust is a non profit-making private sector body which was established in 1994 to promote understanding of the benefits and properties of traditional lime-based materials and the techniques of their use. The Trust does not rescue or repair individual buildings but concentrates on providing specialist advice, training and technical information to architects, contractors, owners and others involved in the conservation and repair of traditional buildings. As such, it provides a valuable role in the private sector. The Centre runs a series of one day practical hand-on 'workshops'. These provide a good general grounding in the principles of using traditional limebased materials in the conservation and repointing of masonry and in protective and decorative coatings such as plastering, harling and limewash. The 'workshops' offer an opportunity for practical work in slaking lime, investigating aggregates and making and using lime mortars, and provide an introduction to the techniques and skills required for the use of lime in building repair and conservation. They are normally held at Charlestown in Fife, a location closely associated with the history of limeworking in Scotland. The Trust also provides specialist advice on specific conservation and repair projects, including inspection and reporting, analysis of original limebased materials, and recommendations for remedial works. Technical Advice Note 1, Preparation and use of lime mortars, was written for Historic Scotland by the Centre. It has also been commissioned to prepare further advice notes on building sands and traditional lime renders. EARTH STRUCTURES With a greater researched awareness of Scottish traditional building details has come a fuller understanding of the widespread use of earth and clay as an indigenous building material. Currently, Historic Scotland is researching this area with a view to producing a further technical publication. It is planned that this should be launched at an international conference on the topic, due to be held at Dundee University in August, in conjunction with the ICOMOS Out of Earth conference series. ATechnical Advice Note on earth structures is in the course of production and it is hoped to launch this during the Con~ ference. 11
12 THATCH An increased understanding of the wide variety of natural materials used in traditional Scottish thatching techniques has steadily developed in recent years. Much of this information has been rediscovered as a result of grant-aiding thatched buildings around the country under Historic Scotland's Historic Buildings Repair Grant Scheme. This has given the ideal opportunity to analyse the practical aspects of these projects, and to link this to an increased historic understanding. As a result, a Technical Advice Note on Scottish Thatch and thatching technique, written by Dr Bruce Walker, was published in April. TIMBER In recognising that the quality of timber available today does not readily match that which was used in 18th and early 19th century building construction, any loss of historic joinery or carpentry is of concern. Primarily, the threat is twofold, but the speed at which loss occurs is vastly different. Insect and fungal attack can be insidious and slow, whilst the consequences of fire are dramatic and swift. With a view to slowing down this level of threat and loss, Historic Scotland is working in two parallel areas. In conjunction with English Heritage a suite of publications is expected which will better inform practitioners on the natural decay processes of timber, how to avoid them and how to treat them in the most sensitive and effective way. At the same time, attempts have been made to better inform building owners and agents of the need for sound external 'housekeeping' maintenance. The message is clear. Many associated decay problems could be totally avoided if the most elementary of building needs were routinely attended to. Cleaning out gutters, keeping downpipes running free and preventing water ingress will do much to stop fungal attack from occurring in the first place. On a similar practical level, research work is also ongoing into the effects of fire on historic buildings. With one listed historic building in Scotland being lost to fire every 3-4 months, this area of research work will have a critical impact on increasing the awareness required to stem this unacceptable, devastating and traumaticreduction in the historic value of our building stock. This work has been commissioned from Edinburgh University and is being guided by a Steering Group set up by Historic Scotland. TRADITIONALMATERIALSAND SKILLSSUPPLY:STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS The problems involved in turning round such a complex and less well supported area of the Scottish building industry are considerable. It can only be achieved with the full co-operation of all involved. At the outset there needs to be a recognition that a difficulty exists and that future demands will emerge. Although education will be at the heart of this process, the diverse needs of the conservation, restoration and new build markets will each require its own particular emphasis. With conservation will come the need to understand the associated philosophy and ethics, how material performs, and how to limit imposed stress and damLoss of craft skills, loss of traditional materials, loss of character . .. age. Restoration occasions the need for a fuller understanding of original construction techniques, whilst new build requirements need to distinguish more between the aesthetic and structural use of traditional materials. To assist in this process, Historic Scotland has initiated a Scottish Conservation Forum in Training and Education. With invited representation from professional, industry and accrediting bodies, the universities and colleges, this Forum meets twice a year to share in the exchange of information and to cooperate across the industry boundaries to develop the best in Scottish education and training in building conservation. In addition, the Rural Buildings Conservation Initiative is a group set up by Historic Scotland and includes representatives from the Association of Conservation Officers, the National Museums of Scotland, the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and the Scottish Civic Trust. It was formed to look at issues affecting rural buildings, their repair and conservation, and in particular training in conservation, the availability of traditional materials and advice to the public and professionals. The forum allows a ready exchange of information between its members about current developments and available advice. It aims to identofy unwelcome gaps in our knowledge in this area and enable valuable links to develop associated topics. Both networks provide excellent communication links with those directly involved in conservation matters outwith Historic Scotland. To get the right quality and standards, specifiers must have the assurance that those involved in the construction process are adequately trained. But, there is little point in concentrating on CONTEXT SO
that aspect if appropriate materials are no longer available. The need, therefore, is to ensure that supply of trained individuals and traditional materials run hand in hand. The structured approach of emerging Vocational Qualifications in Architectural Conservation provides an ideal framework upon which to target the need for this read-across arrangement. Organisations, such as the Stone Federation, have a key role to play in this equation. Through embracing the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, at the core of which are the competencies set out in SVQ and NVQ Standards, the Federation can do much to encourage and improve the skill base and standards of the stone industry. Others can follow this lead. Considerable opportunities are also presenting themselves. Over the past year, Historic Scotland has awarded grants totalling £12 million to Scottish building conservation projects and, nationally, some £5·2 million of National Lottery monies have been specifically awarded to natural stone projects. This is enabling much needed conservation and restoration work to proceed. With it comes the need for traditional material supplies, where relevant type, colour, texture, performance and weathering characteristics all feature in the specifying stages. It is also a critical time in the establishment of European Standards although much still has to be done in that area. With slate, for example, the industry has long been claiming that a considerable amount of inferior natural material is being imported, where the life expectancy is expected to be no more than 20 or 30 years at most. The associated work by the Committee for European Standards should, ultimately, help resolve the issues by determining which performance standard is best. But, meantime, the predicted life expectancy of some imported slates has to be judged against the proven life of over 150 years for indigenous material. Getting the match wrong can only stack up increasing repair bills for the future. What might appear to be an attractive low replacement cost can readily turn into a major financial burden if the consequences of full life cycle costing is taken into account. TCRE RESEARCHPROGRAMME With a commitment to promoting the results of the commissioned research programmes, it is expected that the following reports will be made available for sale over the next 1224 months: Granite stonecleaning Stone industry study Lime source analysis Graffiti treatment Fire prevention in historic buildings Carved stone mapping study Slate study roofscape changes In addition the ongoing related research programme will be working towards producing future reports on: Laser stonecleaning Windows life cycle costing Stone consolidants/decay Lime microstructure Earth structures exposure trials Lime plaster application techniques CONCLUSION In taking a key role in the promotion of the need to use appropriate traditional materials, Historic Scotland is playing a major part through its Historic Buildings Repair Grant Scheme to pump prime the industry in this area. With repair and maintenance output in Scotland now amounting to over 40% of all construction spend, this input has considerable influence. By promoting the results of its research programmes through publications, conferences, seminars and lectures, Historic Scotland also aims to take forward with industry, the professions, and the education and training providers, an integrated approach to the future development and use of Scottish traditional building materials. In the expected success of doing so, the value of Scotland's protected historic building stock should remain high. IngvalMaxwellDA(DunRIBA) FRISASFSA Scot, is Director, Technical Conservation, Research & Education with Historic Scotland. All of Historic Scotland's Technical Conserva• tion Research and Education Division research publications are available from: Scottish Conservation Bureau, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 lSH. Tel: 0131-668 8668, Fax: 0131-668 8669. WOODCHESTER MANSION Jamie Vans describes conservation training in practice. At Woodchester Mansion, an extraordinary, unfinished Victorian country house hidden in a Gloucestershire valley, the Woodchester Mansion Trust is pioneering an approach to training in building conservation which it believes will bring about lasting improvements in craft skills and technical expertise. The courses are based on the use of the Mansion building as a vehicle for practical training, using every step of the repair programme to provide hands-on project work and detailed masterclasses on the materials and structures inCONTEXT50 volved. The projects and courses which we are developing are intended to address some of the fundamental weaknesses in the training of craftsmen and women and of building professionals by giving them the shared experience of working as part of a team on an actual historic building under real site conditions, led by experts in their field. Built of local stone, Woodchester Mansion is a remarkable architectural blend of Cotswold vernacular, Victorian Gothic revival and the work of the French architect Viollet-le-Duc from which many details were directly borrowed. Those who have visited the Mansion since the Trust took it over will know that we are repairing the building step by step as funds become available, matching as closely as possible the original work in order to preserve the unique character of the building. Because of its unfinished condition, the Mansion is an important educational tool and its use for training and education is one of the Trust's priorities. The building is regularly used by 13
14 ■ amenity groups and local schools as a resource for architectural and other studies. The Trust's emphasis, though, is on the use of the repair programme to provide practical training in the skills of building conservation, particularly, owing to the nature of the building, in the structural repair of stonework. The Trust is now carrying out the fifth of its practical training projects which give students from masonry courses an experience of work on historic fabric which is unfortunately not part of the normal training course. When I trained as a mason ten years ago, I felt that a reasonable proportion of the syllabus dealt with the conservation, maintenance and repair of buildings and I was fortunate in having a lecturer with a real appreciation of the importance of this work. Today the skills required to qualify a student as a Mason, Banker Mason or Fixer Mason are contained in the CITB's Stonemasonry Training Specification; in this, Repair and Maintenance Work occupies only two paragraphs out of 36. At the same time, qualification (for a National Vocational Qualification or NVQ) is now based on the demonstration of a 'Level of Competence' with little emphasis on theoretical knowledge. This may sound desirable, and in some ways it is. Unfortunately, the change coincides with ever increasing pressure on training colleges to cut costs. As a result there is time to give trainees only a brief introduction to geology, geometry and architectural history, which have been part of the body of knowledge of stonemasons for millennia, and to the philosophy and practice of conservation .This trend in training with its emphasis on day-to-day craft skills at the expense of a wider education is particularly regrettable because of the timing of the changes. The repair and restoration of historic buildings carries on at a great pace and there is a continual need for high quality work in stone conservation and repair. The stone trade has frequently been criticised for its failure both to understand the ethics and to accept the practices of conservation. Even now, stone contractors are often opposed to, suspicious of and ignorant of lime Vaulting on the Grand Stair. mortars which for many of us are almost a sine qua non of good practice, at least where limestones are concerned. It is more important than ever that all craftsmen should have an understanding of at least the basic principles of conservation. Conservation is not easy to teach; it is an approach rather than a set of techniques and to teach it is not just a matter of rote learning and demonstration. At Woodchester Mansion we try to involve the students in the whole process of the jobs they work on; they assess and measure up the damage to the building, saw and mason the stone and carry out all the fixing work; they slake the lime which next year's group will use, crush their own bricks and mix their own lime mortar. The work on site is supervised by an experienced mason chosen for his skills and experience both as a fixer mason and in teaching and conservation. The project architect and I are also available to give guidance to the students and they are encouraged to ask questions and discuss freely whatever issues are important to them as well as our chosen subjects. It is an essential feature of the projects at Woodchester Mansion that they are carried out without any pressure on the students to work at a commercially viable rate. This allows for each step to be assessed, re-done, demonstrated and re-done again as many times as is necessary to ensure that the result is correct. One of the lessons which is learned, and which runs contrary to the teaching of many masons, is that good work on a historic building may not be perfect by the standards of modern new-build masonry. Joints at Woodchester vary considerably in width; surface finishes to the stones also vary in style and the stones themselves are often irregular in shape. Where they do not seriously effect the weathering of the Mansion, all these little eccentricities of the building are repeated, so that its CONTEXT50
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