The Rebuilding Heritage support programme has launched this September. This free programme, coordinated by the Heritage Alliance and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will provide support to individuals and organisations to help them to respond and adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delivered in partnership, it will draw on expertise from Clore Leadership, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, Creative United, and Media Trust, to offer a programme of tailored support that will respond to sector feedback and changing circumstances.

The first wave of support is themed 'Ways Out Of Crisis' and the details of webinars and support sessions will be announced at the end of September and available in October via the website at www.rebuildingheritage.org.uk.

If you would like to receive updates on the programme development please sign up to the Rebuilding Heritage mailing list here.

We are delighted to announce two new staff members who have joined our team as part of the Rebuilding Heritage programme: Sarah Murray and Vanessa Moore.

Sarah is the Project Manager for the Rebuilding Heritage programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Her role supports heritage organisations to thrive in the changed landscape as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. She will be working closely with the programme partners: Creative United, Clore Leadership, Chartered Institute of Fundraising and Media to deliver a programme of support and training for the sector.  Sarah started her career in the sector working on the London Cultural Improvement Programme, a multi-strand programme that supported the cultural sector to innovate services. She has worked at national, local authority and independent heritage organisations, which has given her an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that are particular to the independent heritage movement.

Vanessa is the Project Engagement Officer for Rebuilding Heritage. She supports the programme development and delivery, and focuses on consultation, communications, and participant liaison. Vanessa has worked previously in a variety of different roles across the cultural and heritage sectors, designing and delivering public engagement programmes for museums and libraries, and coordinating sectoral knowledge exchange and training activities whilst working on the University of Oxford’s National Trust Partnership and Oxford Cultural Leaders programme.

Our revitalised Heritage Funding Directory has now launched and provides a free, easy-to-use guide to financial support for anyone undertaking UK-related heritage projects.

Please share this very useful source with the sector, and easily update or add new funding opportunities to the website through our simple new online form.

Read on to find out what’s coming up on our National Lottery Heritage Fund supported Heritage Digital project. For regular updates on this programme, sign up to the project mailing list by clicking here.

#HeritageDigitalNow: Putting the Digital into Your Strategy – 1st October (virtual event)

Heritage Digital’s virtual conference day will be happening on 1st October. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, project partners The Heritage Alliance, Charity Digital, Media Trust and Naomi Korn Associates will be hosting practical webinars and inspiring discussion on how you can start planning your organisation’s digital future now. Sign up and find further information here.

Get involved! If you are a small or medium-sized heritage organisation that has written or successfully implemented a digital strategy, then we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with Carmen at HeritageDigital@theheritagealliance.org.uk

New webinars and guides

• NEW WEBINAR Copyright and suppliers: How to get the rights you need in new digital content (17th September, 11am)
• NEW GUIDE A beginner’s guide to digital technology for the heritage sector
• Communications Guide A guide to growing and engaging audiences online
• Introductory Guide How digital skills can transform the heritage sector
• Webinar Recording  Growing and engaging audiences online (captioned)
• Webinar Recording Getting started with data (captioned)

The virtual launch event for our Heritage, Health and Wellbeing report will be taking place on 28 September.

The culmination of almost three years of work for the Alliance, the report explores the positive impact heritage can have on individual and community wellbeing, analysing existing work and several case studies, to put forward recommendations.

Don't miss out, tickets are going fast! Click here to book your place.

We are looking for themes to be discussed in the future Heritage Chats on Twitter! If you want to suggest a topic and/or to run a chat, please contact Francesca Benetti at HEFsteering@theheritagealliance.org.uk. From October onwards, Heritage Chat will take place on the third Tuesday of every month, so the next one will be on 20 October (13.00-14.00).

The last #HeritageChat took place today (13.00-14.00) and was entitled ‘Ways out of crisis’. This topic was suggested by the team of the project ‘Rebuilding Heritage’ managed by the Heritage Alliance. A summary of the discussions will soon be published and shared in the next Heritage Update.

The Heritage Alliance is opening a call for tender for a web developer & designer to work on the redevelopment of a website for the Historic Environment Forum. The developer is expected to deliver the website by the end of 2020.

Please find more details and a full job specification here. To apply, please send your websites/web pages portfolio, short cv and quotes (up to £6,000 incl. VAT) to HEFsteering@theheritagealliance.org.uk by 30 September at noon.

Iona Popat, our new Projects Officer, is the guest editor for this edition of Heritage Update. Iona has joined us from the Civil Service Fast Stream. Before that, she read Philosophy with Economics at university. 

Iona will be helping to take forward our report on heritage and diversity (following our 2018 debate: ‘Diversifying heritage in the 21st century’). Alongside this project, she will be working with our Policy and Communications team to deliver a range of policy consultations and briefings.

We understand what challenging times heritage organisations are facing at the moment. If you are not yet an Alliance member, this might be the right opportunity for you to join, as alongside a range of free support, we would:

• Represent your asks, needs and concerns with DCMS and fortnightly ministerial meetings;
• Connect you to other organisations across the sector through our advocacy groups and networks;
• Promote your events/jobs/content through Heritage Update for free- reaching over 14k inboxes in the sector, to give you visibility at this critical time.

To find out more, please contact the Heritage Alliance's Development & Membership Manager, Delphine, at development@theheritagealliance.org.uk.

This week’s header image is of YHA hostel Snowdon Bryn Gwynant- a Victorian mansion by Snowdonia National Park. YHA [Alliance member] is a leading national youth charity with a proud heritage that goes back to 1930. It was founded on the principle of making adventure accessible to all and that principle stands today.

A leading social enterprise and a 90-year-old movement, YHA is a modern charity on a mission to enrich the lives of all, but especially young people, and improve physical health, mental wellbeing and life skills through the experiences it creates. Operating a network of more than 150 hostels throughout England and Wales, its hostels are located in city centres, coastal communities, National Parks, Areas of National Beauty and other amazing places. These form a community of shared spaces, open to all and for the benefit of everybody.

Rule of Six

From Monday 14 September, the Government has changed the limits on the number of people you can see socially. When meeting friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) you must not meet in a group of more than six, indoors or outdoors. 

Controlled coronavirus-secure premises (e.g. restaurants, pubs, attractions, hotels) can host more than six people, but individual groups visiting these premises must not be larger than six people. This means all heritage organisations operating in accordance with the Government’s Covid-Safe guidelines can continue to operate at their current safe capacity provided that individual parties of customers obey the Rule of Six. More information can be found on the Government’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

Updated Guidance for Heritage Sites

The Government’s guidance for people who work or volunteer in heritage locations has been updated on social gatherings of more than 6 people and Test & Trace (section 1), heritage sites and visitor attractions open to the public, and collecting data for NHS Test and Trace (section 2.1). You can read the full heritage focused guidance here.

Indoor Performances to Continue

With the recent changes in social gathering rules, DCMS have confirmed that indoor performances with socially distanced audiences continue to be permitted.

Local Lockdown Grants for Businesses

HM Treasury has announced that businesses in England that are required to shut because of local interventions, will be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks. To be eligible for the grant, a business must have been required to close due to local Covid-19 restrictions. Any businesses still closed at a national level will not be eligible. Payments are triggered by a national decision to close businesses in a high incidence area. Each payment will be made for a 3-week lockdown period, with each new 3-week lockdown period triggering an additional payment. Find out more here.

NHS COVID-19 App

Businesses across England and Wales are being urged to ensure they have NHS QR code posters visible on entry so customers who have downloaded the new NHS Covid-19 app can use their smartphones to easily check-in. The move comes ahead of a national launch of the NHS Covid-19 app across England and Wales on Thursday 24 September.
The Government will be supporting businesses and venues to display the QR codes, which can be downloaded via a website to display as posters in premises. In England, using QR codes will help businesses meet the new legal requirement to record the contact details of customers, visitors and staff on their premises. Venues can read more FAQs on the COVID-19 app website.

Government Letter to National Museums

In a Government letter leaked to The Art Newspaper, Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary, has urged national museums in England to cut executive pay and make greater efforts to commercialise in order to continue receiving state funding. Nationals have reportedly expressed “dismay” over the tone of the letter. You can find more details here.

A back-benchers debate took place in the Commons last week to consider support for the tourism industry after lockdown. There was a generally united view that more must be done to support tourism businesses. Read the full transcript here.

The Department for Education is encouraging organisations to apply for cash incentives to help them take on new apprentices. The funding could be worth up to £2,000 per apprentice hired. You can find out more here.

The Charity Commission has launched an “improved” public register of charities, which makes more information about individual charities available to donors and the public.

HMRC has now issued Revenue & Customs Brief 13 (2020): VAT charity digital advertising relief to confirm that VAT is no longer considered due on internet search browsing advertisements, except where they appear on personal social media accounts. HMRC also now accepts that ‘Location Targeting’ is also within the zero rate.

The 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review was launched in July and will allow the Government to consider its priorities across all spending over multiple years.

Prior to sending in a representation on behalf of the sector, The Heritage Alliance are refreshing our Backing the Bedrock Manifesto, which covers our current fiscal and funding priorities as part of our representation to the Treasury. In light of the drastic impact of COVID-19, our representation will also cover Government support for heritage organisations on the path to recovery. Members are encouraged to email any suggestions for the representation to Hannah at policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk. 

The Heritage Alliance’s Spatial Planning Advocacy Group (SPAG) is working on responses to MHCLG’s changes to the Current Planning System Consultation and Planning For The Future White Paper. We will also be writing to Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to ensure the sector’s views are considered.

If you are a member and want to contribute to these submissions or join SPAG, please contact Hannah at policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk.

If you are not yet an Alliance member, please consider joining to ensure your voice is heard. To find out more, please contact Delphine at development@theheritagealliance.org.uk.

Arts Council England have published three new pieces of research recently:

• Value of arts and culture in place-shaping, which looks into how an area's arts and cultural offer attracts individuals and businesses to settle there and shapes a place’s local identity as retail moves away from high streets.
• Arts Council Funded Cultural Infrastructure, a report analysing experimental high streets data showing cultural buildings are located at the heart of our high streets.
• Arts and Place Shaping Evidence Review, which points to a body of evidence that demonstrates how culture-led regeneration and investment can help drive local economic growth, help regenerate the high street, and promote social cohesion.

VisitEngland's £5 million #EscapetheEveryday UK-wide campaign has launched today and highlights the quality destinations, visitor attractions and experiences on offer across the UK’s cities, countryside and coast to boost tourism across the shoulder season and beyond. The campaign is also calling for tourism businesses, visitor attractions and destinations across the UK to get involved. You can access a campaign toolkit with marketing materials here and find out more about the campaign here.

DCMS’s latest Taking Part survey shows that participation in both the arts and heritage decreased between June and July. For example, 43% of people spent less time visiting a historic park or garden to walk or exercise (10% more time). You can read the full findings here.

What turns a building from a functional construction into a coherent environment? How does a building serve its purpose with elegance and efficiency? Such are the conundrums that challenge architects and, of course, their clients. The unsung hero is often the under-appreciated solution - the invisible element in plain sight is the furniture.

‘Furniture in Architecture’, published by Thames & Hudson on 17 September, explores the relationship between space, function, design, craft, economic drivers and the ‘sense of place’ expressed in the widely varied work of one of Britain’s most significant contemporary furniture designers, Luke Hughes & Company.

Luke Hughes describes himself as ‘something of a social anthropologist’ and has devoted a lifetime to designing elegant furniture solutions for the UK’s most prestigious buildings, while developing a philosophy that defines Arts and Crafts in a contemporary context. He learned the intricacies of cabinet making in school holidays with an expert harpsichord maker; assisted the Chinese carpenter on a Chinese cargo-ship during his gap-year in the Merchant Navy; dived on the Tudor warship, the ‘Mary Rose’; worked on building sites as a ‘chippy’ before realising his vocation. In 1981 he established his furniture and cabinetmaking workshop in a banana warehouse in Covent Garden.

Anyone interested in the relationship between furniture and architecture will relish this book. You can purchase a copy at the Luke Hughes website. Exclusive to Heritage Update readers, the code FURNITURE15 will give you 15% off the book. 

The National Trust has welcomed its five millionth visit to its houses and gardens since lockdown, opening even more of its historic places to the public last week. 

A full list of houses that are currently open can be found here. Tickets should be pre-booked by 3pm the day before via the online booking system. Tickets for the coming week are made available every Friday. In line with government guidance, visitors are required to wear a face covering inside the houses.

Bates Wells [Alliance's legal partner] has released a new free Crisis Decision Tool. If your organisation is facing financial difficulties and you’re looking for guidance on the options available, you can find the tool here.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is pleased to invite applications to the Capability for Collections Fund (CapCo). The Fund will support a series of targeted, capital investments to renew and upgrade research facilities within UK galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAMs), including university collections, focusing on conservation and heritage science facilities, digital capture equipment and specialist study spaces and reading rooms. Please find details on the call announcement webpage.

A historic country station in Suffolk at Brandon has been designated as a grade II listed building after a 14-year battle by local people. When the battle seemed lost and the local council had given Greater Anglia the go-ahead for demolition in May 2020, SAVE Britain's Heritage [Alliance member] initiated and won a High Court action which resulted in a quashing order of the permitted development. Read more here.

The York Foundation for Conservation & Craftsmanship [Alliance member] has appointed experienced paintings conservator and founding Chair of the Institute of Conservation, Carole Milner, as a trustee. Carole is former Head of Conservation & Collection Care at the Museums & Galleries Commission (MGC), was VSO’s Head of Returned Volunteer Programmes and served as Executive Secretary for the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

The Gardens Trust [Alliance member] celebrates five successful years as its first Chair, Dr James Bartos, hands over the reins to Peter Hughes QC. Peter was a senior barrister and judge, and since his retirement has studied for a master’s degree in Garden and Landscape History. He lives in the Lake District, where he cares for an Arts and Crafts garden. Read more here.

The Victorian Society [Alliance member] is very pleased to announce Joe O’Donnell as its new Director. Joe was previously Head of Policy at The Heritage Alliance where he worked with key heritage sector figures to lead on policy issues such as the revised National Planning Policy Framework. Joe, who trained in law before writing for Thomson Reuters, re-joins the Society from his role as Rail Freight Group’s Head of Policy.

Talent Exchange is a new platform that provides training and know how to transfer your skills into other sectors. Supported by The Creative Industries Federation, McKinsey and developed by Eightfold.ai, Talent Exchange works by understanding a job seeker's skills and experiences, and using matching algorithms to connect them with relevant jobs in companies that are hiring. Find out more here.

Experts have developed a Virtual Reality (VR) reconstruction of the Mayflower that will mark the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for America. Led by VR experts at the University of Birmingham, the project was six years in the making and uses computer-based interactive technologies, such as Virtual and Augmented Reality (AR) to recreate history.

The project will be live online at www.1620mayflower.co.uk to coincide with the anniversary of the Mayflower’s departure from Plymouth on 16 September 1620.

On 10 September, the British Napoleonic Bicentenary Trust [Alliance member] officially launched Napoleon 200 - a project which aims to consider the significance of Napoleon’s death on Saint Helena and to preserve the built and cultural heritage of the island.

If you missed out on the launch event, you can still watch a recording here on YouTube.

The Department of Christianity and Culture, University of York Culture is undertaking a piece of research into the impact of coronavirus on churches. The Project Partners with the University of York are Historic England, the Church of England, the Association of English Cathedrals [Alliance member], the Historic Religious Buildings Alliance [Alliance member] and the National Churches Trust [Alliance member].

The survey will provide the opportunity to describe that impact, what happened (both negative and positive) and in the short-term help to identify priorities in the event of a second wave, and in the longer term to help support future decision-making around church buildings.

The survey is called 'Churches, communities & buildings during COVID and beyond' and you can read more about it, and complete it, on the HRBA website. The closing date for completion of the survey is 30 September.

Archaeologists will be returning to investigate the protected shipwreck at Dunwich Bank, Suffolk this week to uncover more about this significant site, which has so far yielded impressive Tudor period weaponry, thanks to further funding from Historic England. The team from Wessex Archaeology [Alliance member], in collaboration with local divers, will be working to survey and record the site, including a mysterious mound of material, and locate the ship’s bronze cannons and any remaining wooden material to try and identify the ship and how it came to founder off the Suffolk coast. They will also recover small amounts of material and artefacts from the seabed for specialist analysis at Wessex Archaeology’s head office.

When Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum reopens its doors to the public on 22 September, visitors will see changes to some of the museum’s more contentious displays. These changes are part of a comprehensive programme of work being led by the iconic museum to deeply engage with its colonial legacy.

The review identified and prioritised displays that required urgent attention because of the derogatory language used in the historic case labels or because they played into stereotypical thinking about cultures across the globe that, as part of the colonial project, were seen as ‘primitive’ or ‘savage’. Some cases were chosen for review as they include looted objects, or featured human remains on display. Others included objects considered sacred or secret by Indigenous Peoples, such as the Shuar tsantsa (shrunken heads).You can read more about the internal review and changes here.

With clear blue skies, and without the crowds, Oxford Preservation Trust (OPT) [Alliance member] has scored another success with this year’s new-look Oxford Open Doors.

The weekend (12-13 September) saw an exciting programme of events, from the virtual, through to self-guided walks and some booked events at venues, all carefully planned with controlled numbers so that everyone could be suitably safe and distanced.
Although the 30+ virtual tours, talks and exhibitions were only available to view over the weekend, you can still explore Oxford with 20+ ‘Hidden Heritage’, ‘Green Spaces’ and ‘Partner’ walks, with a great range of family activities here.

Consultations/surveys which are currently open include:

• Fisheries Bill: call for evidence - 17 September
• HM Treasury Fundamental Review of Business Rates - 18 September
• Ofqual Consultation on New Statutory Guidance for Condition F1 - 30 September
• Changes to the Current Planning System - 1 October
• Amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regime for Offshore Oil and gas Projects - 2 October
• Supporting Veterans' Transition to Civilian Life Through Employment - 5 October
• BEIS - Review of Consents for Major Energy Infrastructure Projects and Special Protection Areas - 9 October
• Fire Safety (Home Office) - 12 October
• OTS Capital Gains Tax review call for evidence and survey - 12 October
• The Scope of Qualifying Expenditures for R&D Tax Credits - 13 October
• BEIS - Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Regulation of Professions - 23 October
• Planning for the Future (MHCLG) - 29 October
• Public Health England Social Prescribing Approaches for Migrants - 30 October
• Marine Strategy Part Two: Monitoring Programmes - 17 November
• HM Treasury VAT Grouping - Establishment,
  Eligibility and Registration - 20 November
• Law Commission Consultation on Weddings Law - 3 December
• The Defence Infrastructure Organisation's Vision for RAF Halton - 19 December

HM Treasury has published a call for evidence on VAT grouping. It examines how VAT grouping provisions operate in the UK and looks at potential changes, including on establishment and compulsory grouping. More information on the call for evidence can be found here. Responses should be sent to HMTVATandExcisePolicy@hmtreasury.gov.uk by 20 November 2020.

The Law Commission has just published its consultation document on governing how and where couples can get married. It proposes allowing tourism businesses to host weddings outside at venues like historic houses and visitor attractions or in venues where they are currently prohibited such as on heritage trains or sightseeing boats.

Written submissions to the consultation must be submitted by 3 December 2020. Find out more here.

Please note that owing to the coronavirus pandemic, many events have been postponed. Please check individual websites for more information.  

• 3 September - 17 September: B'nai B'rith UK European Days of Jewish Culture & Heritage
• 11-20 September: Heritage Open Days
• 11-20 September: A Festival of Landmark
• 19 September: The British Archaeological Trust -  ‘Digging Into The Future of Digitisation: what does this mean for Archaeology?’
• 21 September: Georgian Group - Thomas Archer: Architect of the English Baroque
• 21 September: Civic Voice South West Network: Discussion on the Planning White Paper
• 23 September: Civic Voice Wednesday Webinar: Planning White Paper and Zoning
• 24 September: Castle House: Rescuing Early Concrete from Ruin, (SPAB online lecture)
• 28 September - The Heritage Alliance - Heritage, Health and Wellbeing Report Launch
• 28 September: Civic Voice East of England Network: Discussion on the Planning White Paper
• 29 September - Georgian Group - Cobham Dairy: a case study in Wyatt family collaboration
• 30 September: Historic Pools of Britain event, Chester City Baths
• 30 September: Civic Voice Wednesday Webinar: Housing and the Planning White Paper
• Until 30 September - The Gaelic Tower Houses of Ireland, SPAB
• Until 30 September - An Introduction to Lime and it's Uses, SPAB
• 6 October: Art and Heritage: incorporating creativity and the arts in your heritage project
• 6-13 October - STBA and SPAB 2020 Online Conference
• 8 October: Wentworth Woodhouse: Saving England's Largest Country House (SPAB online lecture)
• 8 October: Digital Culture Network - Audiences now and in the future
• 14 October: Civic Voice Wednesday Webinar: Planning White Paper and Design
• 22 October: New Design for Old Buildings Seminar: Smaller Projects - Domestic and Commercial (SPAB online seminar)
• 24 October - 1 November: CBA Festival of Archaeology, UK-wide - on-the-ground festival events
• 29 October: Digital Culture Network - Building digital skills for the future
• 30-31 October: Civic Voice Conference
• 3 November: Interpreting Heritage: how to interpret, exhibit and communicate heritage
• 10 November: Georgian Group - Building and Public Health in Early Modern England
• 19 November: Digital Culture Network - Evolving business models and new revenue streams
• 23 November - The Heritage Debate, The Heritage Alliance (Save the Date)
• 20-27 November: The SPAB and William Weir (free online pre-recorded lecture)
• 21 November - SPAB: Maintenance Question Time
• 24 November: Maintenance Matters! (SPAB online lecture)
• 24 November: Georgian Group - Wanstead House: The Angel and the Cad

            2021

• 6-7 February - Listed Property Show, Listed Property Owner's Club
• 10 March - The Historic Religious Buildings Alliance Big Update
• 13 March - Understanding Your Old House Course, SPAB Course, London
• 25 March - National Federation of Builders: Heritage Conference, Wentworth Woodhouse
• 24 April - Sketching with Thread, SPAB Workshop, London
• 13 May - Construction Summit Conference and The Construction Awards of Excellence, Chelsea Harbour Hotel, London

B’nai B’rith UK [Alliance member] is a cross-communal organisation whose aim is to bring Jewish people together to promote tolerance, strengthen the Jewish Community, combat racial and religious prejudice, and to help the less fortunate and the disadvantaged. They have published an e-booklet for this year’s European Days of Jewish Culture and Heritage. The theme is 'Jewish Journeys' and there is a range of activities including virtual talks, tours and guided walks, as well as some real life exhibitions and guided walks. Find out more here.

(RESCUE) The British Archaeological Trust [Alliance member] is hosting their online annual public event on ‘Digging Into The Future of Digitisation: what does this mean for Archaeology?’ on 19 September 14:00-16:00. For more details and to join virtually, please click here.

To support the Civic Voice's [Alliance member] response to the Planning White Paper, they are arranging a series of regional workshops to discuss and debate the details within the document. These private roundtable sessions will only be available to Civic Voice Members. You can sign up to the following events here.

• 21 September: South West Network: Discussion on the Planning White Paper
• 23 September: Wednesday Webinar: Planning White Paper and Zoning
• 28 September: East of England Network: Discussion on the Planning White Paper
• 30 September: Wednesday Webinar: Housing and the Planning White Paper
• 14 October: Wednesday Webinar: Planning White Paper and Design

This long-awaited online conference from STBA and SPAB [Alliance member] will be spread over three days focusing on key issues affecting the traditional built environment: embodied carbon, skills and research. Some of the country’s leading experts in the field will present to help us understand the underlying issues, explore some potential solutions, and then discuss all this together with a Q&A session at the end of each morning. Bookings can be made for the full conference or for each morning session via the SPAB website.

• 6 October 2020, 10:00 - 12:30     Day 1: Embodied Carbon
• 8 October 2020, 10:00 - 12:30     Day 2: Skills
• 13 October 2020, 10:00 - 12:30   Day 3: Research

The Digital Culture Network (part of Arts Council England), in partnership with Google Arts & Culture, is launching a series of conversations on navigating the shifting cultural landscapes caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.

They have announced their autumn programme of training events, with topics including Audiences now and in the future (8 October), Building digital skills for the future (29 October) and Evolving business models and new revenue streams (19 November). Tickets are free but tend to book up quickly. Find out more here.

Save the date! The Heritage Alliance's annual Heritage Debate will take place on 23 November 2020 18:00-20:00. 

• Location: Flexible.
• Salary: £40,000 for two days a week (£100,000 FTE).
• Hours and contract: Two days a week. The Chair will serve a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further three years.
• Closing date: 18/09/2020 12:00.

Are you a strategic thinker, eager to lead and help support the heritage sector? If so, you might be the new Chair the NLHF are looking for.

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) are looking for a new Chair to provide leadership and guidance to the organisation in a time where both they, and the world, are adapting to the new world bought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The primary purpose of this role is to provide the strategic leadership of the Board, taking ownership and responsibility for developing and delivering strategy and providing the Board with direction and purpose and promoting good governance.

To review the job description and how to apply, please follow this link to the Public Appointments website.

• Location: Midlands & East (Cambridge, Nottingham, Birmingham Offices).
• Salary: £36,000 - £42,000
• Hours & Contract: Full time (35 hours per week).
• Closing date: 27/09/20 23:59

The National Heritage Lottery Fund is recruiting a permanent Policy and Public Affairs Manager to support their work across the Midlands & East area. Working closely with the Head of Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement and the Director for the Midlands & East, you will develop and deliver advocacy, public affairs and wider engagement for The Fund.

The team is responsible for public affairs and co-ordination of stakeholder engagement, including accountability to Parliament, working closely with Governments, devolved administrations, and elected representatives across the UK, setting out how NLHF use National Lottery funds generated by players. You’ll also be contributing to policy development internally and externally, and ensuring NLHF are talking to the right people about the right things for heritage. Apply online here.

• Location: Oxford
• Salary: £29,176 - £34,804
• Hours & Contract: The role is full-time and fixed-term until 31 July 2021, but may be extended subject to securing further external funding.
• Closing date: 24/09/2020 12:00.

The Humanities Division is looking for a strong team player to nurture new relationships between academic staff and external organisations, acting as the first point of contact and support for developing partnerships, and to work with academic leaders to establish, manage, and grow collaborative activities with Creative Industries partners.

You will need to show that you understand the needs of creative industry partners, and are able to develop personal credibility and trust with academic staff in Oxford. This role will suit those who can provide evidence of having worked for a creative organisation as defined in the job description, who also understand the complexities of the higher education sector, and can show that they understand how to develop projects and connections between academics within Oxford University and a new set of dynamic and diverse partners in the Creative Industries. For more information, and to apply, please click here.

• Location: Westminster, London.
• Salary: £53,000
• Hours and contract: Full time; fixed term.
• Closing date: 24/09/20.

The London Diocesan Fund owns about 3,500 properties of which approximately 2,500 relate to the work of this team. The properties require different levels of management and some development to maximise their use for the mission of the church in London.

Due to the volume of projects and other calls on the time of the Head of Parish Property Support, a Senior Asset Manager is required to take on the day to day responsibility of a number of projects and to drive these projects through to completion.

The full-time role now being recruited will work with two part-time asset managers and will coordinate and manage this vital workflow, report through to the Head of Parish Property.

The role has a commercial focus, it also offers the opportunity for greater career satisfaction knowing that you will be contributing to the charitable mission work of the Church of England in London. The ideal candidate will be MRICS and have some previous asset management experience.

To see the full job description and apply, please click here.

• Location: Greater London.
• Salary: £32,488 - £33,000
• Hours and contract: Full time; 6 month contract.
• Closing date: 27/09/2020. 

Historic England are seeking a Heritage at Risk Projects Officer to provide experienced advice on the planning, funding and delivery of Heritage at Risk projects across the range of asset types. Applying the ethos of ‘constructive conservation’ you will work closely with owners, local authorities and with partner agencies to negotiate effective projects, identify funding and facilitate consents.

This is a 6-month fixed-term contract mainly working in Greater London.

Visit Historic England's careers site to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

• Location: Westminster, London.
• Salary: £48,000 - £60,000.
• Hours and Contract: Full time; permanent. Flexible working and part-time considered.
• Closing date: 29/09/20 12:00.

The Head of Engagement / Deputy CEO is a new post for the NCT and will play a key role in fulfilling the Trust’s strategic goals and continuing the growth of its profile and brand. The NCT engages with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including churches and their congregations, grantees, funders, Friends and donors, other heritage organisations, policy makers, Government ministers, visitors and tourists.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, and as a member of the senior management team, the postholder will deputise for the Chief Executive, supporting her in representing the Trust and ensuring strategic objectives are met. Responsible for a small yet effective team whose work encompasses church tourism, press and media work, all aspects of digital marketing (including our websites and social media accounts), publications, supporter events, advertising and marketing; the successful candidate will need to be a flexible and energetic team player who is self-motivated with a hands-on approach. They will be confident in developing and nurturing highly effective working relationships both externally and internally and must be a confident and personable communicator who is able to work collaboratively with a wide range of people.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Claire Walker, CEO. To request a detailed information pack please contact Rosalinde Debest. To apply, please send a CV together with covering letter  and details of two referees to Anna Tham at info@nationalchurchestrust.org.

• Location: Westminster, London.
• Salary: £20,000 - £24,000.
• Hours and Contract: Full time; permanent.
• Closing date: 29/09/20 12:00.

Are you enthusiastic about the world of fundraising? Do you like working in a challenging and rewarding environment? Are you fascinated by the history of churches and their role in 21st century Britain?

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual to join the National Churches Trust as Fundraising Officer. Reporting to the Senior Fundraising Officer and the Head of Finance & Operations, this is an excellent opportunity to work for a national charity across a range of supporter services and fundraising functions. The post-holder will be the first point of call for all enquiries or donations from Friends and supporters, ensuring those who come into contact with the Trust are dealt with professionally and efficiently.

The successful candidate will have excellent organisational and administrative skills, including managing tasks and projects, and good attention to detail and accuracy. With a confident and professional manner, they will also have excellent communication skills, financial acumen and good IT literacy.

To request a detailed information pack please contact Rosalinde Debest. To apply, please send a CV together with covering letter to Anna Tham at info@nationalchurchestrust.org.

• Location: Flexible.
• Salary: The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed in line with Llangollen Railway’s expenses policy.
• Contract: The Chair will serve a maximum term of 3 years, before being eligible for re-appointment for a further two terms (three years each). 
• Closing date: 21/09/2020 17:00.

Following an extensive governance review and the subsequent drafting of a 5 year strategic plan, Llangollen Railway is looking forward to appointing a new Chair to spearhead an exciting period of change and restructure, full of opportunities. The Chair will hold the Board and Management Team to account for the charity's mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees and ensuring that each Trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.

The Chair will also be expected to act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity alongside the General Manager, whilst ensuring the Board operates well as a team and working closely with the entire Management Team to achieve agreed objectives.
The Chair should be engaged with, excited by and have a demonstrable record of experience of organisational management and governance and inevitably share an enthusiasm for heritage railways, their vision, mission and values.

Candidates should submit an Expression of Interest in the first instance, so an application pack can be forwarded, which will include the Organisation’s 5-year strategic plan, job description and person specification. Expression of interest should be forwarded to:
Elizabeth McGuinness, General Manager (generalmanager@llangollen-railway.co.uk; 01978 862220 / 07487 778946)

• Location: Flexible.
• Salary: Trustees may claim reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
• Contract: A Trustee may serve for two three-year terms, after which one year must elapse before re-election.
• Closing date: 18/09/20.

GEM is a thriving and vibrant membership network of over 1,500 museum and heritage professionals. 

GEM is currently run by a Board of seven Trustees. The Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer and three other Trustees are elected by members and the Board can co-opt up to three further Trustees. This year, Sue Pope is retiring as elected Trustee. The Board is looking to co-opt three new Trustees with experience and expertise in either fundraising, commercial, membership and digital. GEM particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are currently under-represented on the GEM Board.

For more information and to apply, please see GEM's website.

The voice of the independent heritage movement, Heritage Update is a free e-bulletin produced on a fortnightly basis by The Heritage Alliance and distributed directly to subscribers’ inboxes and published online. Click here to subscribe.

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Schedule of forthcoming issues: The next edition of Update will be on 1 October 2020. The copy deadline for the next issue is Friday 25 September 2020.

If you wish to use or quote from items in Heritage Update, you should always check the accuracy and current position with the source. The Heritage Alliance cannot guarantee the accuracy of (or accept any responsibility for) the contents of Update.

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