Scottish Archaeology Research Framework Website Launched

The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) reflects the current state of knowledge regarding Scotland’s past. As understanding of the past changes, so too will ScARF. It should be seen as a live document that will be constantly updated, edited and improved. The people developing ScARF are the people who use it: those who research Scotland’s past for enjoyment, employment, or frequently both.

 ScARF is therefore not a routine publication as it is one that is revised from day one. It is also multi-authored and necessarily multi-disciplinary, reflecting the variety of approaches and people who conduct research into the past. ScARF is therefore subject to an ongoing process of review. The formulation of the framework required a considerable amount of work from across and beyond the Scottish heritage sector, and was therefore continually peer-reviewed during the process of creation. That work formed the basis for ScARF, and it is now open to everyone to review, improve and develop.

 Each of the nine panel reports are available to browse, section by section, on this website. It is also possible to download the .pdf versions of each report from here, but please note that the version on the website may be more up to date.

http://www.scottishheritagehub.com/content/welcome?goback=%2Egde_2318969_member_121227529

Recommendation for keeping up to date with law policy and guidance affecting heritage - follow @EHLegalDirector

English Heritage‏@EHLegalDirector

The English Heritage legal team uses this twitter account to notify of new developments in law, policy and guidance affecting the heritage protection system in England and is a useful way to keep up to date with changes and new interpretations of the NPPF as it beds in.

Only 2 Days until the 2012 #dayofarch, why not take part or follow along on the day

Have you ever wondered what archaeologists really get up to? Is it all just digging or is there a lot more to it? The Day of Archaeology 2012 aims to give a window into the daily lives of archaeologists.

http://www.dayofarchaeology.com/

Free HELM discussion session on the NPPF and Heritage

On Monday I attended this free discussion session on the National Planning Policy Framework and its implication for heritage and found it very informative - there are still a few sessions left if you are interested.

See http://www.helm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11473

New CPRE briefing note on landscape characetr and planning published

The Campaign to Protect Rural England SW have produced a briefing note on landscape character and planning in the SW, which is available to download from the South West Protected Landscape Forum website

http://www.southwestlandscapes.org.uk/ProjectLibrary.asp?ProjectCategoryId=26

Has your heritage organisation received public funding in the last 5 years? Then why not help shape future public policy

As reported in the Heritage Alliance Bulletin: -

Help inform Government policy via the CASE survey - English Heritage is encouraging heritage bodies to participate in the Culture and Sport Evidence (CASE) programme, which surveys cultural and sporting sectors organisations in order to provide Government with information on the challenges and opportunities these sectors face, and to inform future Government policy.

 CASE research is conducted with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), English Heritage, the Arts Council and Sport England. Given the cross-sectoral nature of this work English Heritage is keen that the heritage sector is well represented, and would be grateful if more heritage organisations could register to participate.

To take part your organisation should have received some form of public funding (which can include HLF grants) in the past five years. To register for the survey complete the short registration form  here by the end of June. For more information about this research you can email the EH social and economic research team: SandEResearchTeam@english-heritage.org.uk

EH launches Good Practice Guide on Local Lists

In recognition of the importance of local heritage lists, English Heritage (EH) has developed a Good Practice Guide to support the preparation and management of local heritage lists.

The document is the first comprehensive guide to local heritage listing in England. It draws on good practice from across the country in developing a new local heritage list or making improvements to an existing one, and includes a number of case studies illustrating key aspects of the process. EH advises the Guide should be seen as a starting point in order to respond to local needs, and that decisions on the way assets are identified and the system used for managing the local heritage list are matters for local planning authorities and local communities.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/local/local-designations/local-list/

Proposals to simplify heritage consents unveiled

As reported in the Heritage Alliance Newsletter

“The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill has been published, and includes several measures designed to improve the regulatory framework for heritage arising from the Penfold Review of Non-Planning Consents. The Bill aims to: merge conservation area consent back into the planning system; make it easier to apply for a Certificate of Immunity from the listing of a building; enable the creation of Heritage Partnership Agreements with statutory force; and allow the Heritage List for England to define the extent of special interest in a listed building more clearly.”

See http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2012-2013/0007/13007.pdf for the draft text of the bill

CBA Challenge Funding extended to Wales

CBA Challenge Funding is intended to encourage independent, voluntary effort in making original contributions to the study and care of the historic environment. The programme has been extended to Wales supported by Cadw

Groups, societies and individuals are challenged to put forward proposals for innovative projects which will say something new and creative about the history and significance of their local surroundings and thus inform their future care.

Applications are invited for grants of up to a maximum of £750. Awards can be used to support new work, or to support the completion of research already in progress. This might include paying for new equipment, drawing and photographic materials, scientific dating, travel for historical research, or environmental analysis. It might also support innovative new ways to disseminate your project findings.

For more information go to CBA Challenge Funding

New National Cultural Education Partnership establised

Following on from publication of 'Cultural Education: an independent review by Darren Henley', Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the British Film Institute and English Heritage have come together as the new Cultural Education Partnership Group.

Although still in its early stages, the Cultural Education Partnership group has met several times since publication of the Henley review to agree a common purpose.

The aims of the group are to:

• Determine a set of shared priorities for cultural education
• Promote and advocate for the benefits of cultural education though our individual and shared activities, to a range of partners including government
• Test whether a common approach and stronger alignment of our resources will result in greater impact and outcomes for children and young people.

See http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/eh-cepg/ 

New CBA survey on the relationships between groups and local archaeological services

The CBA is interested in the activities and thoughts of groups in the community – this survey asks about the relationships between groups and local archaeological services. The Good? The Bad?  As well as the way groups define their role within the community archaeology and voluntary sector.

http://www.britarch.ac.uk/news/120523-commarchroles

Simon Thurley CEO of English Heritage sets out the organisations plans for the year ahead

A speech by Simon Thurley has identified the continuing high priority beung given to Heritage at Rik and the ongoing work within the newly named English Heritage Archives (formerly the NMR) as well as the new visitor facilities at Stonehenge as three of the key priortites for EH in the year ahead

See http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/next-steps-englands-heritage/ for more information