information on updating of addresses, changes of work location, etc. I hope my records are now accurate and that members will continue to ensure that this information is forwarded. • MEMBERSHIPQUALIFICATIONS Earlier this year,we analysed our membership qualifications, and the following results may be of general interest. RTPI 98 Conserv.Dip 26 RIBA 97 BSc 26 Dip TP 82 RIAS 8 Dip Arch 60 RICS 7 BA 35 Reg Arch 7 MA 28 These are only the bigger groups; there were 15 other categories, and of course quite a few of the members have multiple qualifications. GAPS IN ACOMEMBERSHIPIN ENGLANDAND WALES Although our numbers are steadily increasing, there are still parts of the country which are completely unrepresented as follows:'Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Powys, West/Mid/South Glamorgan. The following are poorly represented: Leicestershire (apart from Leicester City), Norfolk (apart from Norwich City and West Norfolk), East Sussex (apart from Lewes D.C.), Dorset (apart from Christchurch B.C.), Cornwall (apart from Caradon D.C.). Similarly, the GLC area is weak on representation south of the river, in boroughs such as Bromley, Bexley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Wandsworth etc Apart from the work of the Regional Contacts in enlisting new members, if any of you are able to spread the word this would be a ·great help. I can send application forms at short notice - telephone Chelmsford 352232 ext 296 (day) or Chelmsford 360102 (evening). John Davey Membership Secretary Page 21 Publications LOOKBEFOREYOUCHANGE- GUIDELINES ON KEEPINGOXFORD'SOLDERHOUSESIN CHARACTER Roger France Oxford Preservation Trust Occasional Papers No. 5, 1985 The introduction poses the problem: "In the last 15 years ... we have seen the blossoming of 'improvement mania', and the widespread employment of the 'freelance improver'. Terraces once a pleasing unity are disintegrating under the influence of new materials and bad practice; the traditional street scene is being devalued by personalization and ignorance. How can this damage be checked?" Roger France, Tutor in Conservation at Oxford Polytechnic, has collaborated with the Preservation Trust to try to check the damage, with the blessing (in an introduction) of John Ashdown, the City's Cons~rvation Officer. His answer is to analyse in detail for the reader how and why Oxford's older houses were built as they were, element by element; and in each case to give firm guidelines on how to carry our repair and improvement without damaging original features or losing harmony with neighbouring houses. The critical point, which many design guides and technical advice publications by local authorities do not s~ress, is that the traditional solution may often be to the owner's financial advantage, in both short and long term. In support of this, tables are give with cost comparisons·for a range of options: do nothing, simple repair, made-tomeasure replacement, off-the-peg replacement. Most importantly, the life of each option is calculated, and the validity of the 'good repair' option heavily stressed. An excellent initiative by Oxford. Of course it preaches to the semi-converted in many ways - the small print and detailed historical information are not going to be read at the counters of DIY emporia. But its effective combination of sound and reasoned technical advice, historical knowledge and financial awareness should be emulated by all similariyintentioned publications.
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