HERITAGE IRONWORK FORUMS

The next forum will be about the NHIG Heritage Blacksmith Conservator training programme and will be held in the spring of 2011 with more details to be posted in November 2010.

The blacksmith conservator/restorer…..what theories & principles are there to guide & evaluate their work?

 Held on the 10th July 2010 at Leatherhead, Surrey.

INTRO;

Within the field of heritage conservation the term ‘Conservation’ is generally accepted as meaning the preservation, protection, care and restoration of our cultural heritage…..but how does this translate into good practice? The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and clarify practical responsibilities, conservation standards & principles, as already used & established by other professions - the outcome of which the National Heritage Ironwork Group will develop into a conservation policy suitable for use by custodians, specifiers & practitioners alike. 

Full report to be posted by the end of September.

SHARING CONCERN REGARDING LACK OF IRONWORK STANDARDS

Held on the 21^st March 2010 at Hereford College of Technology, with 65 attendees

INTRO:

It is often said that you ‘read’ to find you’re not alone in your views and thoughts – well I’m starting to think that ‘forums’ are a close contender! The National Heritage Ironwork Group is attempting to walk a rocky road that nobody has tackled before, and it is encouraging that the feedback from their first forum was so supportive. It was a delight to see so many people turn up, representing a wide range of blacksmiths, from students to the retired. The day was about everyone having a chance to have their say. NHIG is aware there are contentious issues with no consensus, however its aim is not to let this overshadow the fact there is also a lot of common ground for us to focus on. To get the ball rolling the forum started with a number of presentations which led into a consultation on proposed National Occupational Standards (see NOS page), and concluded with an open group discussion.

Please download the Minutes for a full report.