ucati • • a1n1n so compromised as to render them meaningless. In extreme cases, a failure to understand the structural peculiarities of a historic property can lead to costly and inconvenient delays to a project, even imperil its future. All this can be avoided by achieving at the outset an analytical understanding of the relative and absolute significance of different parts of the structure; the form of its prima1y phase and the way in which other phases relate to it both temporally and physically. The ability to achieve such an understanding has now been identified as a necessary core skill for IHBC members. One of the areas of competence needed to fulfil the requirements for membership of the Institute is the ability to carry out or commission research, analysis and recording of the historic environment and to maintain records accordingly. It is a necessary part of this that members of the Institute are able to advise on appropriate techniques and levels of recording required in particular circumstances for sites and structures affected by development proposals. This basic knowledge is fundamental to the process of managing the historic environment, and underlies the second required competency in this category: that of the ability to make appropriate records ranging from rapid and emergency recording up to the planning and execution of detailed records including photography and the graphic representation of the structures or sites. The RCHME has been active in providing training in these skills for a number of years. Our involvement in this area takes a variety of forms, embracing both formal education programmes and the wider development of skills among our professional peers. As regards the former, RCHME Field Survey staff make significant contributions to the graduate teaching programmes of a number of UK universities. The courses which they run are primarily concerned with communicating the perceptions which inform their analysis and understanding of historic sites and buildings, rather than solely teaching the mechanics of measured survey. The underlying philosophy of the courses is that the act of recording is in itself an act of interpretation, and that the record made of any site or building should therefore re32 fleet a comprehensive understanding of the historical and physical processes which have led to its present form. The intention is to develop an awareness in the participants that the analysis of a building or site and the record made of it - ranging as it can from a simple description up to a full report and measured survey - should be part of a single process. Records made in the absence of the fullest understanding possible (within the time and resources available) are usually of limited utility and can be worse than useless. The courses therefore concentrate on the development of analytical skills as well as teaching the practicalities of measured survey and photography. They are taught by field staff from operational sections and vary from dayschools and weekend events up to five-day intensive courses. This activity is undertaken in partnership with a number of institutions, either as courses open to the public or as part of their own graduate or inservice study programmes. In this way, RCHME has provided a recording and analysis element to the Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies MA in Conservation Studies; Oxford Brookes University MSc in Historic Conservation Joint Certificate in Architectural Histo1y; De Montfort University JVIAin Conservation Studies; Bournemouth University School of Conservation Science MSc and Post-Graduate Diploma in Building Conservation; and Trinity College, Dublin. An annual intensive five-day course is conducted in partnership with Oxford University Department of Continuing Education at Rewley House and is aimed at those engaged professionally in the management and conservation of the built heritage. The emphasis of the courses is strongly on the practical, and is intended to provide or enhance a skill base in the techniques used in the processes of understanding or recording either for development or to inform the individual in subsequently commissioning work. More direct involvement in the professional development of the staff of other national bodies or members of professional associations concerned with Historic buildings and sites is a rapidly expanding field for both archaeological and architectural staff. RCHME now contributes to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Diploma in Building Conservation, taught through the College of Estate Management at Reading and is in discussion with the Education Committee ofIHBC regarding the provision of continuing professional development courses in the analysis and recording of historic buildings for Institute members. Additionally, English Heritage staff engaged on the Monuments Protection Programme have received training in air photo interpretation techniques from staff of RCHME Aerial Survey and we are at present in discussion with the National Trust regarding the provision of landscape survey training for its regional archaeology staff. As well as such initiatives designed to develop broader levels of expertise, RCHME is active in providing training in specific methodologies relevant to the conduct of particular bodies of work or surveys being carried out by other organisations. One such collaboration at present underway is a survey of survivingJewish monuments in the UK and Ireland conducted under the auspices of the Jewish Memorial Council and part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. RCHME is providing training in analysis, measured survey and photography to the core and volunta1y staff of the project which is intended to provide the first comprehensive inventory of structures associated with successive Jewish comm uniContext 56 December 1997
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