News (most recent items first):

Message from the Chair

Despite the offer of free admission to the Natural Stone Show, and access to a 3-day conference devoted to the issues of stone conservation (see review below), the turn out for the section AGM was somewhat poor this year. That said; the meeting provided an opportunity for frank and positive discussion on convergence, and on the future direction and remit of the section. I am pleased to welcome Chris Weeks back onto the committee in the capacity of web site editor. In addition, Simon Swann was elected as the newest ordinary member, and we hope that his involvement will help in demonstrating and expanding upon the wider interest of the section in field of architectural conservation.

Lastly, I am disappointed to be announcing, yet again, that the recently planned Guildford Castle site visit was cancelled due to lack of interest. This was the third attempt to offer section membership the opportunity to see recent site-based conservation projects. Both the project conservators and the committee put a considerable amount of time and energy into planning these member-driven events, and we would therefore welcome your views on how we might approach these in the future.

Robert Gowing

Of interest to section members................

The following message was lately recieved by the Section Editor:

-----Original Message-----
From: Rachel Sabino [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 13 March 2004 04:58
Subject: Conservation News

Hello Everyone,

The editorial committee of Conservation News has created a new section to be called 'The Private Sector,' and I have recently been appointed editor of
this new section. I, along with the rest of the committee members, am very
excited about this new section, as private sector dialogue has been rather
absent from UKIC for a while. These days there are plenty of issues which
concern not only existing practitioners but also recent graduates facing a
dearth of institutional positions: health & safety legislation, insurance/ indemnity, business plans/marketing, employees, professional  development. I could go on and on. These are topics of general interest,
but I am also eager to highlight individual conservators, private studios,
and exceptional treatments or projects.

Although we are facing some possible changes in the months ahead with the possible convergence, I feel that the time is right for private sector
issues to hold their own alongside those of the public sector. So I am
writing to both introduce myself and to let you know about this development
so that you may put me on any mailing lists that might be relevant. I would

also be grateful if you would communicate the existence of this new section
to your chairs and members. I encourage you and any of your members to
contact me at any time if there is any information you would like to
contribute or add to the section in the months ahead. Suggestions for copy
are always welcome.

We have a copy deadline on the 19th of March, so if you or any of your
members are burning to put something into the next issue, please get in
touch.

Many thanks. Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards,

Rachel Sabino-Gunaratna, PgDip

If you have any copy for Rachel, or comments to make, please contact her by email to [email protected]