BEFS Bulletin – Election Special

Renewed calls to save Glasgow’s at-risk Egyptian Halls (SCT 14/05/21)
Conservation experts fighting for the future of a Glasgow architectural masterpiece have announced the establishment of a charity to take forward discussions about restoration.No evidence of boom in sight for Scottish tourism according to industry body (STA 12/05/21)
Research published by the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), the representative body for tourism business in Scotland paints a stark picture for the sector in contrast to recent speculation that tourism in Scotland is set for a boom this summer.

European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2021 (EN 12/05/21)
Heritage professionals, volunteers, journalists and supporters from across Europe and beyond are invited to join us for the Live Announcement of the 2021 Winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards on 25 May (11:00-12:00 CET).

Foundation Grants for Maintenance (NCT 12/05/21)
As churches come out of lockdown they will be facing increased maintenance costs. NCT’s Foundation Grants Programme provides grants of up to £5,000 towards maintenance costs and they are particularly keen to see more applications from Places of Worship in Scotland.

Property sector urges immediate political action on key challenges (SCN 10/05/21)
The Scottish Property Federation and RTPI Scotland have welcomed the new cohort of MSPs to Holyrood following the Scottish Parliamentary Elections 2021 and have called for immediate action on key challenges for the sector.

Update: Strategy to Address Racism Against People of Colour (SCT 05/05/21)
As part of our Strategy to Address Racism Against People of Colour, Scottish Civic Trust issues six-monthly updates on our anti-colour-based-racism work. This ensures that we are transparent about our progress and helps to sustain a sector-wide commitment to addressing racism against people of colour.

My Place Awards 2021 – Entries close 29 August (SCT 05/21) 
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality. The 2021 Awards have two categories: the general Award honours recently completed projects (2018-2020); and the Sustainability Award honours projects completed between 2001 and 2011 that demonstrate continued fitness for purpose, as well as having a robust approach to climate readiness.

New plan to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (HES 04/05/21)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has set out its vision to tackle inequalities and increase access to and participation in Scotland’s historic environment with publication of its new Equality Outcomes for 2021-25.

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Developing Anti-Racist Messaging & Approaches for Museums
Date & Time: Thu, 20 May 2021, 15:00 – 16:30 BST.
Online: Zoom.
As part of the Empire, Slavery & Scotland’s Museums project and the wider approach to embedding anti-racist practice in the Scottish museums sector, Museums Galleries Scotland is looking at how the sector could work together to manage negative comments on social media. This includes the development of a glossary and set of FAQs that can be used to respond to the types of queries that museums often receive (and that they anticipate receiving in the future). They’re particularly keen on developing a consistent message and a wider shared approach for Scottish heritage organisations exploring these issues – this is where you come in.What if…?/Scotland Opening Event
Date & time: Fri, 21 May 2021; 12:00 – 13:00.
Online.
What if…?/Scotland – Shared hopes, dreams and wishes for the future of the places where we live. The Scotland + Venice partnership invites you to join the launch of What if…?/Scotland. Award winning Edinburgh based architecture and design practice 7N Architects in partnership with Architecture & Design Scotland, will present their Scotland + Venice commission What if…?/Scotland at V&A Dundee from Saturday 22 May until Sunday 21 November 2021.

Crafts and Cultural Heritage Event
Date & time: Wed, 26 May 2021; 18:00 – 19:30.
Online.
Crafts, as indeed all Intangible Cultural Heritage, face immense challenges, some inevitably augmented during the pandemic. The MCICH Network wishes to raise awareness of both, and, by illustrated presentations, offer a cornucopia of slides to inspire.Addressing Inequality in Heritage
Date & time: Tuesday 8th June, 10am-12pm
Online.
Heritage Trust Network in partnership with the Make Your Mark campaign, will explore ways that our projects and organisations can promote equality and connect with new audiences. We are delighted to be joined by Lisa Williams from the Edinburgh Caribbean Association and Cat Telford from the National Trust for Scotland, who will share their experience and guidance for grassroots heritage organisations. The speakers will look at how we can all strive for best practise and make holistic changes for the better.

Engineering Climate Conference
Date & time: 15&16 June; 9.30.
Online.
This conference will look at how our engineering community is managing, developing and enhancing opportunities to improve the ways we address our climate emergency. The first day will focus on ‘Transport’, the second will highlight progress on ‘Energy’ aspects.

Young People and Place Online Festival
Date & time: 16 & 17 June 2021.
Online.
Through presentations, films, workshops and training sessions, the Festival will celebrate the achievements of young people, youth workers and groups who have taken part in the Young Placechangers Programme. As a participants you can can join us for the whole event or attend specific sessions of  interest to you! There are also sessions taking place in the evening for people who are not able to come during the day. The event is for you if you work in a local authority, national agency, third sector or a community organisation/group, and want to include Young People in discussions and decisions about Place, but may not be quite sure where to begin.

The Tallest Timber Building in Scotland
Date & time: 22 July; 18.00-19.00.
Online.
The Ellerslie Crescent Project led by CCG Scotland Ltd. in Yoker, West Glasgow is the Tallest Timber Building in Scotland. This is a mid-market rent residential building with 42 flats, mostly 2-bedrooms constructed in 2016 and 2017. The entire superstructure is made from Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) including the lift shaft and communal staircase areas. The talk will kick-off with an introduction to the UK market relevant to the need for CLT, leading onto a simulation-based occupational health and safety analysis of the CLT panels and connectors installation. The event will conclude with a look into the full extents of construction operations on the project.

CPD: Buildings at Risk Register
Date & time: Tuesday 25th May 2021 | 11.30am-12.30pm.
Online: Zoom.
Glasgow currently has around 130 historic buildings listed on the Buildings at Risk Register, half of which have been there for over a decade. Pre 1945 buildings make up more than 40% of Glasgow’s housing stock, and within this, 64% have disrepair to critical elements and 84% have some kind of disrepair. With Glasgow hosting the 2021 COP26 conference, and the city focussing in on Climate Change and Sustainability, GCHT are passionate about highlighting the Buildings at Risk Register and what we can do to tackle this crisis.Digital Skills Day
Date & time: 10 June, from 10am – 5pm.
Online.
Presented by the Arts Marketing Association, this free training day is for anyone working or volunteering for small to medium-sized UK heritage organisations to build their digital skills and engage new & more diverse audiences. It is part of the Digital Heritage Lab programme which is funded through the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Digital Skills for Heritage initiative.

Digital Heritage Workshops
Dates: multiple dates in May & June.
Online.
Since the onset of COVID-19, heritage organisations across Scotland have experimented with new technology and virtual ways of connecting with audiences. These free workshops offer tips on how to share heritage digitally. Whether you want to create a virtual tour, video, or podcast, these 2.5-hour-long workshops will help you with the skills you need to share your buildings, landscapes, and stories. Each session will include an overview of the technology, practical guidance, tips and tricks, and where to find free software for your project.

Architectural Conservation CPD: Timber Decay and Repair in Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wednesday 25 August, 12:30-13:30.
Online: Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The more technical second half of the 2020 CPD programme opens with this session on timber decay and repair. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Technical Research Manager Roger Curtis, this CPD will look at the use of timber in traditional construction, decay processes, remedial measures and repair techniques to structural and finishing timber. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).

Edinburgh World Heritage Conservation Projects Officer
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint a Conservation Projects Officer to play a key role in the conservation of our remarkable historic city. The purpose of the role is to support the delivery of a diverse range of conservation projects.
Closing date Monday 31st May 2021 at 5pm.Join our Grants Committee

The National Churches Trust are currently recruiting 2 new members to its national Grants Committee. We are particularly interested in applications from professionals with church heritage experience in Scotland.

Scottish Civic Trust seeks Heritage Administration Officer 
SCT are looking for an enthusiastic and creative person to support the administration of Scottish Civic Trust and the delivery of our projects.
Closing Date 5pm on Friday 28th May 2021.