BEFS Bulletin 357: Summer round up of news and views
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS NEWS
Due to annual leave and team recruitment BEFS are currently running at reduced capacity. Despite this, our full bulletin service will resume in September! In the meantime, please enjoy our round up of sector news.
BEFS is delighted to announce two new appointments: Ilona McAllister has been an invaluable member of BEFS team for some time, and has this month taken on the new role of BEFS Head of Operations. Ilona brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this crucial role in BEFS development.
We are also pleased to congratulate Hazel Johnson – previously BEFS Policy and Strategy Manager – who has been appointed BEFS Director after taking on the Interim role at the start of August. Both Ilona and Hazel look forward to working with BEFS Members and the wider sector in their new capacities.
Following the publication in May 2024 of the report Meeting Scotland’s Retrofit Challenge: solutions from the industry there has been cross party support for the report’s key policy recommendations to establish a Ministerial Oversight Group on Retrofit and to develop a long-term Retrofit Delivery Plan with a joined-up approach to funding, regulating and incentivising retrofit work across Scotland. The publication of the Scottish Law Commission’s discussion paper on the proposed scheme for owners’ associations was also welcomed, recognising that the paper follows the work and recommendations of the Tenement Maintenance Working Group, which was established to explore actions to improve the condition of Scotland’s tenements.
Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Grants Funding Report 2023-24 was released in July, providing detailed information on how grant funding has supported communities and historic places all over Scotland. On average HES awards around £13.5 million in grants each year on behalf of the Scottish Government to projects that protect and promote the historic environment.
The theme of the annual SPAB-STBA Conference is New Ideas for Old Buildings: Education, Application & Innovation; exploring where tradition meets innovation, and how the past informs the future. Innovators and experts in the heritage and sustainability fields are being invited to submit contributions to present at the conference in York on Tuesday 5 November. They are keen to hear from professionals who can offer insights, share experiences, and present cutting-edge research on a wide array of topics within the theme: submissions need to be made via this form by 5pm on Monday 2 September 2024.
The Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA) has released the first of ten short films following their Big Conversation days held in February and March 2024. The films present the key points made by a broad range of stakeholders in the built environment at this key time when Scotland is working to deliver the Just Transition to Net Zero. The first film looked at how we think about our future and how ready we are to change and includes contributions from BEFS former Director Ailsa Macfarlane, Euan Leitch, CEO of SURF, Robert Toomey of RICS, and Chris Stewart, President of RIAS. The whole series of films can be found here as they are released.
The University of Edinburgh & Edinburgh World Heritage have published Retrofitting Historic Sash & Case Windows, a quick start guide for homeowners, based on actual retrofit experiences.
Applications for the Scottish Government’s Scottish Connections Fund 2024-25 are now open. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for new projects that help to build Scotland’s networks and international links. The Fund is available to any individual or organisation with a Scottish connection – whether those links are through business, education, heritage or a wider affinity with Scottish culture.
We will be back with our regular bi-monthly bulletin schedule from 4 September.
CONSULTATIONS
HES Heritage Directorate Stakeholder Survey
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
Historic Environment Scotland is seeking feedback on the services provided by its Heritage Directorate. This includes their role in planning, designations, and recording services. The survey aims to understand stakeholder experiences and needs, helping HES prioritise their work effectively. Responses will be collected and analysed by JRS, an independent research company, ensuring anonymity and adherence to data protection regulations.
Closes 30 August 2024
Crofting consultation 2024
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is determined to ensure that crofting legislation enables and supports the sustainability of crofting, of crofters and crofting communities, and allows crofting to modernise, innovate, diversify, and adapt to help meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. This consultation seeks views on a range of proposals for crofting reform which will help to create opportunities for new entrants, encourage the active management and use of crofts and common grazings, and support rural population. The consultation paper contains full background information, including references to current legislation.
Closes 2 September 2024
Managing Change Guidance Review
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
HES is seeking feedback on their Managing Change guidance series to ensure it aligns with current policy and national priorities, including its use in planning, land management, and other decision-making processes.The survey aims to understand how the guidance is currently used and how it can be improved as a tool to support decision-making in the historic environment. Feedback will inform priorities for new guidance topics and updates.
Closes 17 September 2024
Draft Tall Buildings Design Guide Consultation
Glasgow City Council
The Glasgow City Centre Strategic Development Framework (SDF), adopted in 2021, provides flexible urban design guidelines and suggests creating specific guidelines for tall buildings to assist developers and planners. For sustainable growth, these projects need to focus on quality and clear goals. To help with this, the Tall Building Design Guidance was created, offering advice for developers and planning officers to make the pre-application process smoother and ensure buildings are well-designed and appropriately located. This consultation covers the areas as defined by the City Centre SDF and welcomes views from members of the public, technical experts, and Strategic Partners on the impact of tall buildings in the city centre and ways to improve the city in this modern environment.
Closes 30 September 2024
Building Regulations: Determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard: Stage 1 consultation
Scottish Government
Scottish building regulations set minimum standards applicable to new buildings and to new work to existing buildings. This consultation is the first of two which will consider the technical, commercial and wider policy implications of improvements to building regulations in the context of broader action by the Scottish Government on climate change, to further our ambition of becoming a net-zero society by 2045.
Closes 23 October 2024
Calanais Standing Stones – Improving community, economic and conservation benefits
Historic Environment Scotland
This consultation focusses on potential changes to access and charging arrangements at Calanais Standing Stones. HES are working to deliver a new combined visitor experience at the site, in collaboration with the local community-led trust Urras nan Tursachan (UnT), who independently own, manage and operate the Calanais Standing Stones visitor centre. Further information on the visitor centre redevelopment can be found here.
Closes 31 October 2024
Barrier Survey
FuturHist
Help address the barriers to energy-efficient historic buildings by completing the FuturHist Barrier Survey. Practitioners, heritage specialists, architects, researchers, building managers, and owners are welcome to participate in the study led by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
CONSULTATION RESPONSES
Scottish Law Commission : Discussion Paper on Compulsory Owner’s Associations – Consultation (BEFS 01/08/2024)
BEFS welcomes the paper as a significant milestone and output of one of the recommendations made by the Tenement Maintenance Working Group, towards action to improve the condition of tenement buildings in Scotland through a cohesive Owners Association management structure.
BEFS response highlights all three recommendations made the Tenement Maintenance Working Group, for reforming tenement law:
- a requirement for tenements to be subject to a building condition inspection every five years;
- the establishment of compulsory owners’ associations; and
- establishment of building reserve funds.
These recommendations are considered important, interlinked, and accompanying vehicles towards delivery.
Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 : Analysis of consultation responses (Scot Gov 02/08/2024)
Pre Budget Scrutiny 2025 -26 : Funding for Culture (BEFS 09/08/2024)
BEFS comments on the budget not only look at what is within the cultural portfolio – but highlight how cultural heritage can be eroded through a lack of investment in data, in planning, and in regeneration; many of the aspects that help to support genuine place-based approaches. BEFS response also notes potential impacts of the Visitor Levy Bill, emphasising the central role that the historic environment specifically – and the built environment more widely – play as a direct contributor to the cultural tourism offer of Scotland.
Investing in Planning – A consultation on resourcing Scotland’s planning system Summary of responses to the consultation (Scot Gov 15/08/2024)
Climate Change Targets Bill: Consultation (BEFS 16/08/2024)
BEFS considers that providing portfolios both directly and indirectly relevant to the existing built environment with the means to support regeneration and investment in places, will ensure that the 2045 target can be met, in addition to contributing to a truly sustainable Scotland.
PETITIONS
Scottish Government Submission on PE2105: Safeguard Scottish Listed Buildings at risk of unnecessary demolition (Scot Gov 08/07/2024)
PE2113: Provide support to RAAC-affected communities (Scot Parl 23/07/2023)
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to provide support to communities affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
NEWS RELEASES
If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk Series 3 (GCHT 27/06/2024)
SURF recommendations for the 24/25 programme for government (SURF July 2024)
SPAB-STBA Conference 2024: New Ideas for Old Buildings – Call for Contributions (SPAB 19/07/2024)
Proposal to designate Glasgow Central Mosque one of the first purpose-built mosques in Scotland, at Category A (HES 24/07/2024)
Housing Regulator publishes analysis of new homes, empty homes and lettings (Scottish Housing regulator 26/07/2024)
RIBA Stirling Prize Shortlist 2024 (RIBA 31/07/2024)
Six historic buildings in Portsoy, Aberdeenshire pass into community ownership protecting and revitalising historic harbour for future generations (The Architectural Heritage Fund 31/07/2024)
PUBLICATIONS
Retrofitting Historic Sash & Case Windows (The University of Edinburgh & Edinburgh World Heritage July 2024)
Retrofit Revisit: building performance evaluation project (2024) (CIBSE July 2024)
The SURF Awards: Learning from Success. An outcomes report from a series of SURF workshops in 2024 (SURF July 2024)
Historic Environment Scotland Grants Funding Report 2023-24 (HES 17/07/2024)
Private rent and house prices, UK: July 2024 (ONS 17/07/2024)
Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey and Map (Our Place 19/07/2024)
Challenges to Thatch Supply Threaten Vital Rural Industry (Historic England and HES 21/07/2024)
Briefing: Net Zeroing in on investment Priorities for the new Government in delivering a fair transition (Resolution Foundation 22/07/2024)
Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency (Historic England 23/07/2024)
Place Forum 4: Preventative design (Architecture & Design Scotland 24/07/2024)
The Crown Estate Integrated Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24 (The Crown Estate 24/07/2024)
Museums Galleries Scotland Annual Review 2023-24 (MGS 08/08/2024)
Construction output in Great Britain: June 2024, new orders and Construction Output Price Indices April to June 2024 (ONS 15/08/2024)
Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators: 15 August 2024 (ONS 15/08/2024)
Cultural Heritage, Creativity and the Creative Economy (Historic England 19/08/2024)
SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS
Climate Change Committee: 2024 Progress Report to Parliament (UK Gov 18/07/2024)
Heat in Buildings: Local Government Oversight Group minutes: April 2024 (Scot Gov 18/07/2024)
Building standard 3.3 – flooding and groundwater guidance review: research (Scot Gov 19/07/2024)
Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA): annual review 2023 to 2024 (Scot Gov 19/07/2024)
Planning and environmental appeals: quarterly performance statistics (Scot Gov 19/07/2024)
Scottish Housing Market Review Q2 2024 (Scot Gov 19/07/2024)
Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey – site register (Scot Gov 19/07/2024)
Correspondence between the Deputy Prime Minister and Defra Secretary of State to environmental NGOs on planning and infrastructure bill (UK Gov 21/07/2024)
Scotland’s New National Park Appraisal Panel: final report (Scot Gov 22/07/2024)
National Park in Galloway: proposal by Scottish Ministers (Scot Gov 22/07/2024)
Correspondence between Mairi Gougeon and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the proposal for a new National Park in Galloway (Scot Parl 22/07/2024)
Scottish Connections Fund applications now open (Scot Gov 24/07/2024)
RAAC: Housing Stakeholder Meetings – November 2023; December 2023 & February 2024 (Scot Gov 25/07/2024)
Correspondence between Mairi Gougeon and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding Stage 2 amendments to Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 26/07/2024)
Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics (Scot Gov 30/07/2024)
Land reform community mapping tool: guidance (Scot Gov 30/07/2024)
Housing targets increased to get Britain building again (UK Gov 30/07/2024)
Housing (Scotland) Bill: Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment Summary (Scot Gov 31/07/2024)
Housing (Scotland) Bill Island Communities Impact Assessment Results (Scot Gov 31/07/2024)
Building regulations – energy and environmental standards: consultation on proposed changes (Scot Gov 31/07/2024)
Correspondence between Mairi Gougeon and the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee on the delegated powers in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (Scot Gov 31/07/2024)
European Regional Development Fund: annual implementation report (Scot Gov 31/07/2024)
Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill: position paper (Scot Gov 02/08/2024)
Planning applications call-in: Ministerial statement (Scot Gov 02/08/2024)
Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 : Analysis of consultation responses (Scot Gov 02/08/2024)
The Building Safety Act 2022 (Amendment Notices Transitional Provision) Regulations 2024 (UK Gov 05/08/2024)
Scotland’s Land Use Strategy Annual Progress Report – 2023/2024 (Scot Gov 16/08/2024)
Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics (Scot Gov 20/08/2024)
OPINION & COMMENT
How Edinburgh Tenements Became an Urban Housing Blueprint (Bloomberg 19/07/2024)
Record number of vacant Scottish homes brought back into use (The Times 22/07/2024)
Airbnb crackdown ‘has failed to reduce short-term lets’ (The Times 23/07/2024)
Abolish VAT on regeneration, refurbishment and retrofit projects (Scottish Housing News 25/07/2024)
No response from John Swinney on Scotland’s housing emergency (Third Force News 26/07/2024)
The ‘astonishing’ £130 billion bill for SNP Government’s green buildings target (The Scotsman 30/07/2024)
Why the Radical Road in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park needs to reopen now after being shut for nearly six years (The Scotsman 31/07/2024)
Angela Rayner doesn’t know what a ‘beautiful’ building is. Has she seen Siena? (The Times 01/08/2024)
How emails reveal Scottish Government officials expected schools Raac funding a year ago (The Scotsman 13/08/2024)
Housing chief intervenes after ministers warn of cuts (The Scotsman 14/08/2024)
Creative Scotland warns of ‘managed decline’ outlook for the arts after being targeted for new cuts (The Scotsman 14/08/2024)
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers
MOTIONS
S6M-13928
Submitted by: Kevin Stewart, Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party.
Date Lodged: 22/07/2024
That the Parliament believes that the regeneration, refurbishment and retrofitting of Scotland’s buildings and housing stock is vital to maintain vibrant communities, to reduce energy costs and to achieve net zero ambitions; understands that new build projects are zero-rated for VAT, but that refurbishment and retrofit schemes are still subject to the standard rate of 20% VAT; believes that this creates an unlevel playing field and often stops regeneration works from happening to existing buildings, and calls on the UK Government to abolish VAT on the regeneration, refurbishment and retrofitting of buildings in order to help boost sustainable economic growth, to bring derelict buildings back into use. and to achieve Scotland’s net zero targets.
S6M-13943
Submitted by: Lorna Slater, Lothian, Scottish Green Party.
Date Lodged: 24/07/2024
That the Parliament welcomes the announcement of Galloway being selected as Scotland’s next national park; understands that there was considerable interest in the process, with bids from across the country, all carrying bold visions of people and nature thriving together, and welcomes what it sees as the transformative impact that this will have in terms of local nature, communities, investment, protections and opportunities, all to bring forward a fairer and greener country that sustains and celebrates Scotland’s biodiverse nature and landscapes.
S6M-14024
Submitted by: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Date Lodged: 07/08/2024
That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the report, Meeting Scotland’s Retrofit Challenge: solutions from the industry, jointly published by 14 leading built environment sector organisations; recognises that this paper follows a “Retrofit Roundtable” meeting convened at the Scottish Parliament in May 2023; notes the support for the report’s key policy recommendations to establish a Ministerial Oversight Group on Retrofit and to develop a long-term Retrofit Delivery Plan with a joined-up approach to funding, regulating and incentivising retrofit work across Scotland, including in the Central Scotland region; further notes the calls on the Scottish Government to significantly increase the pace and scale of retrofit projects being undertaken across the country; welcomes the publication of the Scottish Law Commission’s discussion paper on the proposed scheme for owners’ associations; recognises that this discussion paper follows the work of the Tenement Maintenance Working Group, convened at the Scottish Parliament in March 2018, which was established to explore actions that could be taken to improve the condition of Scotland’s tenements; acknowledges that the Scottish Law Commission’s discussion project responds to the Tenement Maintenance Working Group’s recommendation that every tenement building in Scotland should have an owners’ association to coordinate work to the building and a corresponding reference received from the Scottish Government to that effect in January 2022, and notes the discussion paper’s proposals concerning the functions, powers and duties of a tenement owners’ association, including the role of an association manager, decision-making procedures, liability of owners for costs and the implementation of an annual budgeting system.
Current status: Achieved cross-party support
EVENTS
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
Scottish Heritage Social Media Group – How to Develop a Social Media Strategy
Date & Time: Wednesday 28 August 2024; 3-4pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Join David Fettes, Social Media Manager at the National Trust for Scotland, to hear about the creation of the Trust’s social media strategy and learn about a framework and key takeaways that you can implement in your own strategy.
SURF Conference 2024 – Navigating Uncertainty: Community Regeneration and Resilience in Scotland
Date & Time: Thursday 29 August 2024; 10am-4pm
Location: COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh
SURF’s 2024 Annual Conference tackles the pressing challenges facing community regeneration in Scotland. Against a backdrop of national and international crises, constrained budgets, and potential public asset closures, the conference will explore strategies for resilience and regeneration. Drawing on 25 years of SURF Awards experience, discussions will focus on directing resources effectively, ensuring public benefit in asset management, and leveraging community-level responses. The event promises insights into navigating these uncertain times while fostering hope and practical solutions for Scotland’s communities.
Institution of Civil Engineers – Carbon management conversations: examples and application of the PAS 2080 standard
Date & Time: Thursday 29 August 2024; 9am-1pm
Location: University of Strathclyde Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow (hybrid event – also available online)
This event will showcase major developments in carbon management through debate, case studies, and best practice from industry experts. Learn about the PAS 2080 standard for carbon management in infrastructure and the built environment and hear how it is being applied to projects and organisations across Scotland. The event features insights into the 2023 update of PAS 2080, case studies on its application, and discussions on the future of carbon management in the industry. Speakers include experts from WSP, University of Strathclyde, and AECOM.
HES – Managing Change Guidance Programme Review
Date & Time: Thursday 29 August 2024; 10am-1pm and Tuesday 3 September 2024; 1-4pm
Location: Online (via Microsoft Teams)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is conducting a review of their programme. These two identical online workshops are an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the current guidance and help shape its future. The sessions will include break-out groups focusing on topics such as retrofit, accessibility, landscape, agriculture, and conservation areas. These workshops are designed for heritage, policy and planning professionals and organisations involved in decision-making processes related to the historic environment.
SPAB – Scotland’s Churches
Continuing the SPAB Scotland series investigating practical measures for those thinking about taking on a church for sale, whether privately or as part of a community group.
How to Care for Churchyards
Date & Time: Thursday 29 August 2024; 12-1:30pm
Location: Online
With many churches due to be sold over the coming years, and new owners taking these buildings on, this talk will investigate some of the common ownership scenarios, problems and legislation relating to graveyards.
High Level Maintenance & Steeplejacking
Date & Time: Thursday 5 September 2024; 12-1:30pm
Location: Online
A steeplejack is a craftsperson who scales tall buildings and church steeples to carry out repairs or maintenance. It’s a specialist trade and one that’s going through a period of change and modernisation, with new techniques and methods of access. Join this talk to hear a bit about the history of the trade, along with many fascinating stories of repairs.
Joseph Hansom’s Architecture
Date & Time: Thursday 19 September 2024; 12-1:30pm
Location: Online
This talk aims to highlight the richness of Scottish architecture in the ecclesiastical world. It complements an in-person Church Maintenance Day being hosted at St Mary at Lochee the following week.
Reading a Church
Date & Time: Thursday 3 October 2024; 12-1:30pm
Location: Online
If you know what to look for, it’s possible to uncover a building’s secrets by looking around for clues. This ‘reading’ of a building is a great skill, and this lecture by architect Ian Mitchell Davidson will follow the development of a single building from beginning to end, tracing its history and development through the centuries.
SGLH – AGM & Study Day at Cambo Gardens
Date & Time: Saturday 31 August 2024; 10:30am-3:30pm
Location: Cambo Gardens, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8QD
Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage (SGLH) invites members and non-members to their annual AGM and study day. The event includes the AGM for SGLH members, lunch at Cambo Gardens Café, a talk on Cambo Estate’s history, and guided walks of the gardens and designed landscape led by Head Gardener Katherine Taylor. Cost: SGLH Members £20 (AGM attendance is free) / Non-members £25. Accessibility information available.
Doors Open Days 2024
Date & Time: 4 Weekends in September; see link for regional dates
Location: Throughout Scotland
The 2024 Doors Open Days festival programme is now live! Hundreds of events have been listed and more are being added each day. A fascinating variety of doors and sites will be open up and down the country. Be a tourist on your very own doorstep and unlock Scotland this September!
Under One Roof – Navigating tenement building repairs with East Lothian Council
Date & Time: Thursday 5 September 2024; 4-6pm
Location: Our Lady of Loretto Church, 17 Newbigging, Musselburgh, EH21 7AJ
Topics covered will include managing common repairs and dealing with mixed tenure repairs, as well as a presentation from East Lothian Council. After the presentations, there will be the opportunity to ask questions.
Under One Roof – Preserving our tenements with East Lothian Council and Dunbar CARS
Date & Time: Thursday 12 September 2024; 5-7pm
Location: The Dunbar Townhouse, High St, Dunbar EH42 1ER
Presentations will cover managing common repairs, how to navigate roofing and gutter maintenance, dealing with mixed tenure repairs, and an update from Dunbar Conservation and Regeneration Scheme. Under One Roof will be joined by architect Jo Parry-Geddes of Mill Architects who will give a presentation on tenement roof repairs. There will also be a Q&A session at the end.
A&DS – What next for place?
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 – Thursday 19 September 2024
Location: Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow, 11 Chapel Lane Glasgow G11 6EW
Imagine a future where place-based policies and practices are driven by the stories and identities that make our communities unique. What if we could harness the power of design and creativity to forge meaningful and equitable partnerships? How can this collaborative approach lead to positive outcomes for people, the places we inhabit, and the planet itself? These are the critical questions at the heart of the “What next for place?” conference. This event, over one and half days, is a catalyst for advancing next practices in creating places. Practitioners and academics will meet for a collaborative exploration of these crucial themes and work together over the event to co-produce some suggested principles for future place-based practices.
Heritage Trust Network – Conference 2024
Date & Time: Sunday 29 September – Tuesday 1 October 2024
Location: Dunfermline
Heritage Trust Network is bringing its conference to Dunfermline in 2024. Conference is always the highlight of the year, a fun and friendly mix of inspirational speakers, lively discussions and fascinating tours and visits to historic sites and community projects. Dunfermline has been chosen as the venue because of its fascinating mix of historic sites and the way local organisations are working together to make the most of its heritage assets following the granting of city status in 2022. The incredible philanthropic legacy of Andrew Carnegie is woven through the city’s cultural infrastructure. Network member, Fife Historic Buildings Trust, has recently been granted three-years of funding to help it develop restoration and re-use projects in Dunfermline.
Edinburgh 900 – Archaeology Conference 2024
Date & Time: Saturday 12 October 2024; 9am-5pm
Location: Lecture Theatre A, University of Edinburgh, 40 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JX
This conference is organised jointly by the City of Edinburgh Council Archaeology Service and the University of Edinburgh Department of Archaeology as part of the official celebrations for Edinburgh’s 900th Anniversary. The conference is open to all with an interest in our capital’s rich history. Attendees will hear and discuss the results of important archaeological fieldwork and scientific research on a wide range of topics, from the Burgh’s foundation in the 12th century through to the 20th century.
National Churches Trust – Building Sustainable Futures for Scottish Churches : Meet the Funders
Date & Time: Friday 1 November 2024; times tbc
Location: Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JG
Join the National Churches Trust at Paisley Abbey to chat with funders and advisers all under one roof. They are there to help support all aspects of the work within your church building, whether it is from community, heritage, faith, tourism, or climate action sectors. Whether you are a congregation looking to repair a roof or to expand your community outreach; or a community organisation considering how to prepare a business plan and get advice on which insurance you will need, there will be someone there to help. Meet with the experts across the sectors and chat with churches, communities and organisations who have already tackled the challenges you are facing. A detailed programme is being compiled. Check this page for updates or sign up for updates below.
TRAINING
SLCT – Introduction to Stonemasonry
Date & Time: Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 August 2024; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training Centre, Charlestown, Dunfermline KY11 3DR
Taught by a time served Stonemason, this course is suitable for all abilities and covers an introduction to tools, techniques, and uses of basic stonemasonry. Learners can take away their practice stones at the end of the day.
SLCT – Introduction to Maintaining Traditional Buildings
Date & Time: Friday 30 August 2024; 10am-3pm
Location: Merryhill Training Centre, Charlestown, Dunfermline KY11 3DR
This course provides the perfect starting point if you are considering undertaking some simple repairs yourself. The course will outline the maintenance that traditional buildings require, and attendees will gain an understanding of traditional building techniques and the correct materials to use when undertaking repairs. This is also an excellent opportunity to speak to the SLCT’s expert tutors about your project.
C&BS – Sponsorship Matters: Managing Ethics and Risk
Date & Time: Tuesday 3 September 2024; 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Online
A new training session to support fundraisers with concerns about ethics, due diligence and risk management around sponsorship.
£85 + VAT for C&BS members. £125 + VAT for non-members
C&BS – Fundraising Matters: Introduction to Fundraising
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 September 2024 & Tuesday 17 September 2024; 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Online
This introductory course, led by Pam Judson, gives you the best possible foundations for starting your fundraising career.
£120 + VAT for C&BS members. £190 + VAT for non-members
C&BS – Board Matters: Thinking of Joining a Board?
Date & Time: Thursday 12 September 2024; 12-1pm
Location: Online
Do you care about the culture sector and want to play a part in its future? Then being a board member or trustee just might be for you. This webinar with Catriona Reynolds will help you understand what being on the Board of a cultural charity is all about.
FREE for C&BS members. £35 + VAT for non-members
VACANCIES
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust seeks four new trustees with expertise in areas such as strategy, finance, heritage conservation, marketing, fundraising, property development and asset management. Help shape the future of this leading organisation dedicated to preserving Scotland’s historic buildings. 3-year term, 4 meetings per year. For more information visit www.shbt.org.uk. To apply, email CV and cover letter to maggie.wright@mwa.co
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