Paddington, London

Present

Chris Weeks, John Burbidge, Robert Gowing, Steve Sedwell, Ruth McNeilage

Apologies

Angus Lawrence, Ben Wild

Minutes from the last meeting were read and signed as correct

Agenda

Conservation News
RG said that Conservation News and Grapevine were to be revamped. They will now be combined. Section categories will not play such a prominent role. There will now be ‘themed’ categories to which people from all sections can submit material. It will be a bi-monthly publication.

The deadline dates for the next publications are: 15th March for the May issue and 11th May for the July issue

RM asked what had been decided for the ‘round robin’ debate. It was felt that it had not as yet really developed into anything. CW wondered if we should open the round robin to all members of the section via email. All agreed that it would be better if it were just a floor where people could make quite straight forward queries. RW suggested that we submit the idea of the ‘round robin’ discussion to Conservation News. He also mentioned the existence of a number of other conservation email networks; condist list and chin (Canadian heritage information network).

2. Lecture series

CW said that the Belgian conservator has backed down and he had not succeeded in getting anyone to replace her for the April lecture. A discussion followed as to who would be suitable. CW would like to expand the discussion of risk assessment of objects (Jonathan Ashley Smith) to stone and wall paintings and the role of the preventative conservators. It was thought that Sarah Staniforth (who among other roles is now chair of the accreditation committee) and Kate Clark (EH policy advisor on conservation management) who has written a book entitled ‘informed conservation’ would be possible speakers. It was agreed that the morning could be filled with theory followed by lectures from practising conservators in the afternoon. It was also suggested that we could have a specialist in ethics such as Jukka Jokilehto.

CW will contact Jonathan Ashley Smith and let him know that the lecture in April has had to be postponed but that we are now planning a whole day.

CW has already made contact with a number of the people on the Peterborough team when trying to get speakers for the April lectures. It was decided that he will try to arrange a visit there to take place in October. The information will be put in for the 11th May deadline (or earlier if it is ready).

RG has not yet arranged a time with Jean Marie Teutonico. This lecture will also be postponed until the beginning of next year so that there is time for publicity. The publicity will need to go out in the July issue.

SS said that he would organise a day at the British Museum. He would contact the architect (Foster) and scientist who wrote article on differences between Portland stone and the French Oolitic limestone that was used. This is planned for mid September.

RM will ask Madeleine Katkov if she is planning to organise another case studies day. She had mentioned one on painted wooden ceilings.

JB thought that we should ask AL about the work that they did on the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs.

ACTION:Chris weeks, Steve Sedwell, Ruth McNeilage

3. AGM

RW suggested that we have the AGM at St. Pauls where there is a major conservation programme taking place now. Nimbus is working on the stone and Stephen Paine is working on the Thornhill paintings in the dome. RW will contact the architect Martin Stanicliffe. The information must be ready for the 15th march deadline. The AGM will be held on Saturday 22nd June.

ACTION:Robert Gowing, Ben Wild

4. Mailings.

RM will send out a mailing that will include:- nominations for ordinary members and vice chair and treasurer; questionnaire asking for preferences for topics for conferences etc and a request for email addresses.

ACTION:Ruth McNeilage

5. Publicity

SS said that the most read magazine for conservation architects was Building design which does have an events list. Ther is also the architects jounal and the RIBA. There is an independent building conservation body for conservation architects. RM said that for previous conferences we had approached ABPR and SPAB to put out fliers.

6. AOB

CW said that he would like to resign as chair. RM said that the position should now pass to a wall paintings conservator. It was thought that it would probably be better to bring in new members as ordinary members so that the new chair could get accustomed to how things work before taking on the role. A list of possible members was drawn up; Tom Organ, Sasha Cosanova, Brian Cary, Jane Spooner, Richard Lithgow, Eric Miller, Caroline Babington. RM will approach some of these people. Ben and Angus will be asked to draw up a similar list of stone conservators.

ACTION:Ruth McNeilage, Ben Wild and Angus Lawrence

Louise Bradshaw has agreed to become an ordinary member.

The meeting closed at 9.oclock !

The next meeting will be on Thursday 4th April