Updates from The Heritage Alliance

Policy Updates

Save The Date – Heritage Debate 2022

We are excited to announce that we will be holding our 2022 Heritage Debate on the evening of Thursday 24 November 2022.

This will once again be a virtual event, featuring speakers from across the sector in a topical heritage discussion. Save the date and watch this space: we will be releasing further details very soon.

Guest Editor – Bronwen Bernstein

This issue of Heritage Update was guest-edited by Bronwen Bernstein, who is in the final week of a one-month placement with The Heritage Alliance as a Policy & Communications Intern.

She has an MA in Art History from The Courtauld and is currently taking an MPhil in Traditional East Asia from The University of Oxford [Alliance member], focussing on China in the 17-18th century.

CEO Summer Progress

Our Chief Executive Lizzie Glithero-West has been out visiting Alliance Members in the North of England (last week) and the South (this week). 

Last Monday, appropriately Yorkshire Day, Lizzie spent the day in Ripon, meeting with the team at new Alliance Member Markenfield Hall - believed to be the most complete surviving example of a medium sized 14thC house in England - as well as visiting Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall & Gardens. Lizzie then went on to meet the team at Halifax’s iconic The Piece Hall [Alliance member] and to catch up with another of our newest members, Holmfirth Civic Hall Community. Take a look here for an extended visual tour of both places and the work they’re doing. 

Lizzie also headed North West into Manchester to see the National Trust’s [Alliance member] newly opened Castlefield Viaduct, a high-line garden in one of the least green urban post-industrial areas and visited shadow Heritage Minister Jeff Smith for a conversation about heritage advocacy priorities for The Heritage Alliance.

This week, Lizzie has visited the Weald & Downland Museum [Alliance member], exploring how they bring historic places to life through an exciting education offer and practising traditional skills. Most recently, Lizzie experienced the Bluebell Railway with colleagues from the Heritage Railway Association [Alliance member] - the UK trade body supporting heritage railways, tramways and railway preservation groups. 

Policy Updates

• We are using this time ahead of 5 September so that we are ready to welcome new Secretaries of State and Ministers, and introduce them to the heritage sector, our advocacy priorities, and the important work which our members do in support of public policy priorities.
• We are responding to DEFRA’s consultation on Marine Net Gain (closes 30 August) and have contacted our marine and maritime-focused Alliance Members directly to get their views and inputs.
• We have been looking at the heritage organisations located in the constituencies of the new Ministers and the PM candidates, ready to dive into contact building.

Rebuilding Heritage

This August is a month for reflection at Rebuilding Heritage as we recap and explore all the valuable resources the project has produced over the last two years – all available on the project website.

Key resources from the programme we’ve been re-sharing this month include:

Mission Statement Writing & Visioning - To-the-point advice on defining your purpose and crafting a succinct and meaningful mission statement.

• Read the guide → https://bit.ly/3Pfl8PC
• Or watch the webinars →
  • Clarifying your Mission: https://bit.ly/3deO3WA 
  • Communicating Who You Are & What You Do: https://bit.ly/3zGWJ

Business Planning in Uncertain Times – Making a plan when it feels like nothing is guaranteed.

• Read the article → https://bit.ly/3oNplz8
• Watch the webinar → https://bit.ly/3zQPSlp

Managing Organisational Change– Keeping your organisation on track while dealing with change.

• Read the article → https://bit.ly/3QzKdFI
• Watch the webinar → https://bit.ly/3OSHc23

Digital Heritage Academy – State of Digital

The final Heritage Digital Academy Online Roundtable is taking place on Wednesday 17 August from 12-1pm. Join Delphine Jasmin-Belisle, our Head of Development & Membership, and peers from across the sector for an informal session to discuss the state of digital in the heritage sector.

As well as giving you the opportunity to network with others, you’ll be able to share sector-specific challenges that your organisation is facing, receive advice from peers, and help inform the resources and training we offer at the Academy.

Sign up here for the chance to join the discussion next week.

Showcasing the Relationship Between Energy Efficiency & Climate Action

In the context of rising energy costs, the Historic Environment Forum (HEF) revisited key case studies from its flagship report on heritage and climate change, Heritage Responds.

These examples were shared at the start of the month on HEF's social media channels. They showcase how historic buildings can be highly energy efficient and demonstrate how heritage organisations are taking positive action on climate change. Low carbon solutions can both reduce emissions and make energy savings for heritage organisations. The case studies can be viewed as a collection on Twitter here.

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Read more in our step-by-step guide on sharing your content in Heritage Update.

Government News

Our summary of the latest announcements and guidance for the heritage sector.

Headlines

• Honours Nominations

• Recovery Loan Extension Scheme

• Levelling Up Parks Fund - prospectus

• New Tree Planting Measures

Queen’s Birthday Honours – Nominations Open

Nominations have now opened for the Queen’s birthday honours list. DCMS are encouraging more nominations for professionals within the heritage sector. The closing date for nominations is 12 September. Please be aware that to make a nomination, you need to know the nominee’s birthday, address and contact details.

Recovery Loan Extension Scheme

The Recovery Loan Extension Scheme has been extended for two years, helping small businesses with up to £2million to recover from the pandemic amongst other financial pressures. Since April 2021, 19,000 businesses have been supported through the scheme.  

DCMS & Culture

Participation Survey 2021-22 Annual Report

DCMS has published the results from its latest Participation Survey, covering culture, tourism and digital statistics from October 2021 to March 2022.

Of the 65% respondents who reported engaging with heritage, 46% accessed heritage physically, 17% both physically and digitally and only 2% entirely digitally. ‘“Not interested” and “COVID-19 restrictions or concerns” were the most common barriers for physically engaging with cultural sectors. With regards to tourism, 42% of adults visited museums, galleries, heritage or cultural sites abroad. The key findings from the report are available here.

Data from the survey will continue to be released quarterly, with the next set of data due to be released in September. Please note that the new data begins from a new baseline and so cannot be directly compared to statistics from Taking Part.

Youth Investment Fund – Phase 2

Phase 2 of the DCMS Youth Investment Fund is now open for applications. The Fund is designed to support the development of new or existing youth facilities and activities in priority areas, delivered by 2025. Details on how to apply for the fund are available here.

Commonwealth Games Cultural Programme

Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston used a speech to mark the end of the 2022 Commonwealth Games to reflect on the impact and legacy of the games. Arts Council England, Heritage Fund, Spirit of 2012 and others have supported the Games through awarding £12 million to a 6-month, free Cultural Programme taking place across Birmingham and the West Midlands until the end of September.

Youth Worker Bursary Fund 22/23

Applications have been opened for the Youth Worker Bursary Fund 22/23. Grants of £500,000 are available to voluntary, community or social enterprise’s (VCSE) or youth sector organisations, or joint delivery bodies, to help organisations to improve the skills and wellbeing of underrepresented young people through completing specific qualifications across England.

All funding must be drawn down and committed to students by 31 March 2023. The deadline for applications is 11 September 2022 and guidance can be found here.

Temporary Export Bar – Il Morazzone

A temporary export bar has been placed on a painting by Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli (also known as ‘Il Morazzone’). ‘Self-Portrait as a Knight, with a horse, an easel with painter’s palette and a page’ is a significant self-portrait by the artist.

Planning

Levelling Up Parks Fund

DLUHC has published the prospectus for the Levelling Up Parks Fund in England. Up to £85,000 per place is available to create new or significantly refurbished green spaces in urban areas within the 85 eligible councils across England. Opt-in forms are due in by 5 September. The Department has highlighted the cultural and heritage significance of parks and urban green spaces. 

Levelling Up Fund – Round 2 Reminder

A reminder that Round Two of the Levelling Up Fund is now open for bids, with a deadline of 2 August. The application form and guidance for this round can be found here.

We recently published a summary of the draft Bill, and have since worked closely with members of our Spatial Planning Advocacy Group (SPAG) to produce a more detailed briefing for members of the Bill Committee.

Devolution Deal for York & North Yorkshire

On this year’s Yorkshire Day (1 August) Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark signed a historic devolution deal with York and North Yorkshire. It is hoped that this deal will give more power to local leaders, including £540 million over the next 30 years which the mayor and local councils can allocate to long-term projects on issues such as transport, skills and housing. Greg Clark’s article, published in the Yorkshire Post, can be read here.

Levelling Up Funding for Grimsby

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has announced that £8 million of levelling up funding will go towards repairing damaged bridges connecting Grimsby and Immingham, with a goal to boost local industry and tourism.

Environment

Major Woodlands Expansion

The government’s £750 million Nature for Climate Fund is allocating £44.2 million in funding  to plant a total of around 2,300 hectares of trees this year – equivalent to around 3,220 football pitches this year. Beneficiaries of this funding include England's 13 Community Forests and others, such as Northern Forest, Great Northumberland Forest and National Forest. Estimates suggest that by 2050, 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be absorbed from this planting.

Expression of Interest: Tree Health Pilot

Following on from the announcement in 2021 that there would be a tree health pilot scheme to investigate ways to slow the spread of pests and diseases, DEFRA is currently inviting expressions of interest (with no current deadline stated). The form was recently updated with further information on Section 6 Grant Activity Options.

Environment Secretary Meets with Water Companies

The Environment Secretary and Environment Minister met with the chief executives of water companies yesterday to discuss the ongoing response to the prolonged dry weather. During what is the driest summer in over 50 years, in accordance with locally tailored drought plans, water companies are taking action to safeguard public water supplies and mitigate the effects of extreme weather.

Tourism & Hospitality

Electric Chargepoint Grants

Landlords and property managers who rent out, lease or manage a property can now apply for a grant to help with the cost of adding a charging station for electric vehicles to your property. Successful applicants can receive £350 or 75% off the cost, whichever amount is lower.

International Visitor Insights

The Department for Transport has published new results on public attitudes towards international travel from last October to understand the impact of the pandemic. The survey findings reveal that between October 2021 to January 2022, 53% of adults stated that they were not planning on travelling abroad for leisure. This data has been taken from over 2000 adults aged 16 to 75, with previous research and analysis available here.

NHS Covid Pass: international travel for children

The NHS Covid Pass guidance has been updated to state that children between five and eleven years of age can now get a digital NHS Covid Pass for international travel.

DMO Review & New Accreditation Scheme for Tourism Boards

A reminder that the Government has proposed a 'radical restructuring’ to tourism boards, in line with its review of Destination Management Organisations (DMOs). DCMS will fund a new accreditation scheme, developed and administered by VisitEngland, for the highest performing DMOs – which will be renamed ‘Local Visitor Economy Partnerships’.

Correction

We would like to flag an error in our previous issue of Heritage Update (Issue 473) on the item titled ‘HS2 – First 64-Mile Tunnel Completed’. Please note that this should have read the ‘first of 64 miles of tunnels’ have now been completed. Read the full Government press release for the full details.

Education

Future Skills Needs

The Department for Education has published new independent research into changing skills needs within a select group of occupations over the next 5 to 10 years. Skilled tradespeople are one of the four occupations examined, and ways to upskill are also discussed in this cross-sector research.

Parliamentary & Other Government News

• The application guidance for the DCMS Digital Growth Grant Competition has been updated with clarification and further information.

• DLUHC has published a new dataset on the value of relief awarded by local authorities for the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF).

• Stephanie Peacock MP has been appointed as the new Shadow Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure. Peacock was formerly the Shadow Minister for Defence. 

• John Shakeshaft’s appointment as Interim Chair of the Museum of the Home has been extended to 30 September 2022. This appointment was previously until 15 August.

• The Environment Secretary has made a series of appointments to England’s National Park Authorities and AONB Conservation Boards.

• The UK Parliament has closed its official TikTok account after MP outcry over the platform’s connections with China and fears over data security. They are recommending that the same is done for the official 10 Downing Street account.

Sector Digest

Read on for a breakdown of the latest news from across the sector.

Museum Restitution & Repatriation

• In one of the largest repatriation cases in the country to date, Oxford and Cambridge universities are returning 213 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria.
• Horniman Museum, recently named Art Fund’s Museum of the Year, is to return 72 artefacts to Nigeria which includes 12 Benin Bronzes.
• Deputy Director of The British Museum Jonathan Williams has called for an "active ‘Parthenon partnership'" with colleagues in Greece. Discussions will attempt to “change the temperature of the debate” on the Parthenon Marbles and may lead to new ways of collaborative working.
• Arts Council England (ACE) has published new restitution and repatriation guidelines for museums, making it clearer for institutions to ‘interpret existing policy’ on the origins of collections.

Instant Pulse

The results from Week 9 of The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Instant Pulse show that 54% of participants agree that audiences and customers are embracing the new possibilities that our technological advances and digital experiences can offer them. Instant Pulse has now finished, and the full list of survey results is available here.

The Second UK Heritage Pulse survey has now launched and can be answered here. This series will focus on organisational resilience, sustainability as well as recruitment and staffing. The survey will close on Friday 9 September.

Help Shape the Future Work of the Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund [Alliance Member] is seeking views from the heritage sector and the public to help shape its new 10-year strategy, reviewing the vision set out in its 2019 Strategic Funding Framework. Participants working in the heritage sector can complete this survey whilst members of the public can submit their views here. The deadline for both surveys is 5 September.

Chief Executive of the Fund Eilish McGuinness has written a blog, reflecting on how the organisations is responding to the heritage sector’s current challenges.

Climate Action Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund is looking to fund 12-15 projects focused on nature and climate which will ‘encourage more community-led climate action.’ The Climate Action Fund will look for suitable projects throughout the UK and provide up to £1.5 million over 2 to 5 years. The full list of criteria including who is eligible, what will be funded and what to spend money on is available here. There is no fixed deadline to apply.

Future of Heating in Historic Buildings – Conference Recordings

The conference recordings for the Future of Heating in Historic Buildings are now available on YouTube. This took place on 28 June and involved a partnership between The Fit for the Future network (National Trust) [Alliance Member], Church of England and Historic England. Topics included decarbonised heating, carbon neutrality and heat pumps. Polly, our Head of Policy & Communications featured on the Policy Advocacy Panel.

Impact of Heatwave on Sites

The rising temperatures across the country have caused concern and closures throughout the sector, as many organisations take measures to deal with extreme hot weather conditions.

Recent reports from The National Trust [Alliance member] highlighted the impact of the heat causing bats to become ‘disoriented and dehydrated.’ In late July, the heatwave resulted in various museums and galleries having to close partly, early or completely including The British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich and others. Another heatwave is expected to occur this upcoming weekend.

Culture24 – Leading The Sector Workshops

Culture24 and The Audience Agency are launching a Leading The Sector series consisting of six online seminars and six in-person workshops across the UK which has been funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund [Alliance Member.] The seminars will ‘address a relevant and timely challenge that heritage leaders are facing now’ and the workshops will focus on digital maturity. Interested participants can find a free local workshop, taking place throughout September, here.

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Wins Case

A landmark business rates case has been won by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) against the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The result means that only nominal business rates will have to be paid for three of its museums: Shipley Art Gallery, Laing Art Gallery and South Shields Museum. The outcome will allow these museums and other cultural venues who have recently won against VOA to save on costs.

Swanage Railway Suspends Heritage Steam Trains

The railway embankment between Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle in Dorset was suspended on Saturday due to sparks starting a fire. Firefighters managed to handle the situation and Swanage Railway referred to the hot weather for an increase in fires. The steam trains have been a tourist attraction since the 1990s, but the risk of fires has resulted in Swanage Railway only running diesel trains for now.

Alliance Member News

A snapshot of the current work of our members.

Consultations

Open Consultations (with closing dates):

• Maritime & Coastguard Agency – Consultation on the review of Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 372 – 19 August

• DEFRA – Consultation on the principles of marine net gain – 30 August

• Cabinet Office - Standards for ethnicity data – 30 August

• Charity Commission – proposed changes to the Annual Return – 1 September

• DfT - High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Additional Provision 1 Environmental Statement and Supplementary Environmental Statement 1 Consultation – 1 September

• Lords Comms Committee – an inquiry into the future of the creative industries – 2 September

• DEFRA - Deer management strategy – 2 September

• National Lottery Heritage Fund – seeking views from the heritage sector and the public to help shape its new 10-year strategy – 5 September

• HM Treasury - Consultation on the proposed reform of the UK’s sovereign immunity from direct tax policy. – 12 September

• DfT – Supporting recycled carbon fuels through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation – 19 September

• DCMS – Developing a tourist accommodation registration scheme in England – 21 September

• DEFRA - Highly Protected Marine Areas pilot sites – 28 September

Events

Upcoming Heritage Events - Quick Look

• 13 Aug: A Visit to Nunhead Cemetery - London; Victorian Society

• 3 Sept: Welsh Heritage Day - Cardiff City Hall; Victorian Society

• 6 Sept: Thomas Robins and the Art of the Georgian Garden – online lecture; Georgian Group

• 6 Sept: Growing Your Community – A Visit to Carluke High Mill, HTN

• 16 Sept: WMHBT Conference 2022: Building Recording Through Time - Worcester Cathedral; The West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust

• 22 Sept: The Mausoleum Revisited - The Annual Lecture of The Mausolea & Monuments Trust – London

• 3-4 Oct: World Heritage UK 2022 Annual Conference - Cheshire/ Online

• 8 Oct: Europa Nostra UK - Young Professionals at Bishop Auckland

• 11 Oct: Conference 22: Theatres Fit for the Future - London; Theatres Trust
• 12 Oct: STBA/SPAB Annual Conference: Sustaining Buildings 2022 - Edinburgh
• 12 – 14 Oct: AHI Conference 2022 - Y cysylltiad / The connection, AHI

• 18 Oct: Georgian Changes at Fulham Palace – lecture (London); Georgian Group

• 3 Nov: Architecture & Health, 1660-1830 – Symposium (London); Georgian Group

• 8 Nov: John Wood and the Creation of Georgian Bath – lecture (London); Georgian Group

• 22 Nov: Palaces of Revolution: Life, death and art at the Stuart court – lecture (London); Georgian Group

• (Postponed: The 2022 Tourism Conference - Changes During Recovery – London)
• 24 Nov: The Heritage Alliance's Heritage Debate 2022 - Save the Date!

Courses

Upcoming Heritage Courses:

• 6 Aug - 3 Sept: Tracing Your Female Ancestors, Society of Genealogists
• 6 Sept - 8 Nov: Lost in London, Society of Genealogists
• 7 & 14 Sept: Setting Up a New Museum (two-part workshop), AIM
• 15 Sept: An Introduction to Lime in Building, SPAB
• 16 Sept: Hot Limes in Building, SPAB

• 4 Oct – 1 Nov: Developing Anti-Racist Practice in Museums, GEM

• 7 - 8 Oct: An Introduction to Plain Lime Plastering, SPAB
• 17 – 21 Oct: The Repair of Old Buildings Course, SPAB
• 17 Oct - 26 Nov: Understanding Your Old House Course, SPAB
• 5 Nov 2022 - 10 Dec 2022: Researching 17th Century Ancestors, Society of Genealogists
• 9 Nov - 14 Dec 2022: Heritage Interpretation Online, AHI

Jobs

Salaried

Notes & Subscriptions

The voice of the independent heritage movement, Heritage Update is a free e-bulletin produced on a fortnightly basis by The Heritage Alliance.

You can also visit our website to access an archive of previous issues.

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Sharing news, events, courses and vacancies in Heritage Update is free for Heritage Alliance Members, or costs £165 per ad per issue for non-members.

Simply submit our online advertiser's form with the details and payment (if needed) ahead of the content deadline for an upcoming issue. The full instructions are on our website.

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Schedule of forthcoming issues:

• Issue 475 – Thurs 25 August (content deadline: 19 August)
• Issue 476 - Thurs 8 September (content deadline: 2 September)
• Issue 477 - Thurs 22 September (content deadline: 16 September)

• Issue 478 – Thurs 6 October (content deadline: 30 September)

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 Heritage Update.

Seeking Funding/Guidance for Your Heritage Project?

The Heritage Alliance is not a funding body, but we co-manage the Heritage Funding Directory with the Architectural Heritage Fund. This free resource for the sector includes a directory we have jointly collated, listing funding sources for heritage projects across the UK (and internationally), and includes some helpful guidance on fundraising.

We are currently updating existing records in the directory. If you are a funder and would like to list your fund in the Heritage Funding Directory, please follow this link to submit the details through our online form. We also welcome updates to existing entries through this form.

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Contact Us

Chief Executive
Lizzie Glithero-West
lizzie.glithero-west@theheritagealliance.org.uk

Advocacy & Communications Officer (Heritage Update Contact)
Daniella Briscoe-Peaple 0207 233 0800
comms@theheritagealliance.org.uk

Head of Policy & Communications
Polly Martin 0207 233 0700
policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk

Head of Development & Membership
Delphine Jasmin-Belisle 0207 233 0600
development@theheritagealliance.org.uk

A full list of our staff contact information can be found here on our website.

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Heritage Update is produced by The Heritage Alliance, with thanks to our generous sponsors the Historic Houses Foundation.

Image credits (in order of appearance): The Landmark Trust; Waterloo Uncovered; English Heritage; Heritage Open Days; Wessex Archaeology; The SPAB; National Historic Ships UK. Details of the header image are listed at the top of each issue.