REGIONAL NEWS London The London Region has not been as dormant as their lack of appearance in the Regional news column suggests! A reasonably regular series of meetings h~s taken place, including 'walkabouts', since the beginning of May. London members also have had the opportunity to attend the GLC Historic Buildings Division's lunch time lectures. Perhaps because these events are topped up by the National Amenity Societies' offerings, some of our members are very irregular attenders. We hope in the New Year to inveigle all those 'hibernating' out in the Outer Boroughs to join us in the '85 programme ... more of which, later. Two Saturday walkabouts took place in May, led by redoubtable member, Graham King ex Royal ·Borough of Richmond and now City of Westminster. The first visit concentrated on the Green, the town and the riverside of Richmond upon Thames where members saw the Quinlan Terry Riverside development site, examples of infill, Conservation Improvement schemes and Article 4 examples. The second walk at Kew Green viewed the works, finished and proposed, at the temperate and palm houses and the Reference Collection scheme. An evening meeting in May heard Mathew Saunders, Secretary to the Ancient Monuments Society and ACO member, presenting a slideshow and talk on Ecclesiastical exemption and the draft circular. Mathew's lively talk was followed by a discussion on the London Region's response to the circular. Our June meeting attracted an audience to hear John Yates talk on 'Our Canal Heritage ... Death by Attrtition!' John, an ACOmember, lives, restores and carries cargo on narrow boats when not working in the GLC Historic Buildings Division. His slides illustrated the vulnerability of our canal heritage and pointers, alternately depressing and exciting, of BWB & LA attitude to canalside architecture. 9 In July John Fidler, ACO National Publicity Rep., ex Historic Buildings Architect to the City of London and now Conservation Officer 'Buildings at Risk' for the Comnission, addressed us on International Conservation Policy, Philosophy and Practice. Case studies bizarre, inventive and topical kept us amused and our guest for the-evening - Professor Norman Weiss of Columbia University. August saw Paul Davies, Architect to the Civic Trust and ACOmember, describe the Trust's approach to and activity in Halifax. The audience heard a presentation of the new face of this city of architectural delights where the Trust's involvement has galvanised local activity and garnered grants to arrest its physical decline. Malcolm Tucker of the Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society and ACO member, spoke to the London Region in October on Industrial Archaeology and Architecture. A controversial talk maintained that many central and local government Historic Building officers failed to recognise rare and early examples of Industrial architecture nor understood their historic interest in the development of industry. We are deeply indebted to all these members who took such trouble to present stimulating talks, slides and walks. The last two months have offered an indulgence of meetings from the Georgian Group, SPAB and ASCHB. In late November a small group of regular members met to discuss the '85 programme. We hope to cover the Role and Activities of the Commission; the CCC and Redundant Churches Fund; the National Heritage Fund; Fire Protection in Listed Buildings. We also intend to start a series of 'self help professional seminars' on structural problems; roof extensions; enforcement; shopfronts etc. North West i.rhe relisting of Liverpool is now complete. :Members of amenity organisat-
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