New RCHAMW study of the archaeology of the Western Brecon Beacons

The Royal Commission’s publication, The Western Brecon Beacons: The Archaeology of Mynydd Du and Fforest Fawr by David Leighton with a foreword by BBC Radio Wales’ Roy Noble, provides detailed maps and images of a landscape of mountains and moorlands, an archaeological treasure trove revealing evidence of human activity since the end of the Ice Age. The book is the latest in the Royal Commission’s series, Discovering Upland Heritage, based on extensive fieldwork and research.

Heritage Reforms in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

English Heritage have welcomed the reforms contained in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, published today, 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, to enable the creation of Heritage Partnership Agreements, and to allow the Heritage List for England to define the extent of special interest in a listed building more clearly, and with statutory force.

For more information see http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/heritage-reforms/

Historic Landscape Officer Job advertised with Oxfordshire County Council

Post to create Historic Landscape Characterisation for Oxford with Oxfordshire County Council :: LOCATION is Oxford : CLOSING DATE: 25/06/2012.

http://www.bajr.org/Employment/UKEmploymentDetails.asp?ID=8699

Marketing Training Event for Wiltshire Small Businesses

The newly-formed Wiltshire Business Support Service has appointed Secret Agent Marketing to deliver its series of marketing training courses to start-ups and small businesses in Wiltshire.


Marketing for Beginners will explain how marketing is more than just newspaper ads and glossy brochures; and how marketing should be a business investment, not an expense.

See Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB Blog for more information

Supporting the Wiltshire Historic Farmstead Project

I was really happy to help support the Wiltshire Building Records Farmstead Day which was held on Saturday at a wonderful example of an historic downland farmstead near Maiden Bradley. The event was funded by the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB and provided an insight into the workings of a traditional Wiltshire farmstead.

Wiltshire has a rich farming tradition and its farm buildings are a familiar part of our landscape.  Wiltshire, like all counties, is losing farmsteads at an alarming rate.  There is an urgent need to study and record farmsteads before it is too late.   

The Wiltshire Buildings Record is undertaking a major project to do this.  They are recording Wiltshire’s farm buildings for future generations. The work is held in their archives. The project is led by experts in historic buildings and the work is carried out by trained volunteers.

To get involved visit the Project Website

http://www.wiltshirebuildingsrecord.org.uk/farmstead.html

Victorian Society launches search for ten most endangered buildings

As reported by the Heritage Alliance 'The Victorian Society (a Member of the Alliance) is calling on historians, enthusiasts and local campaigners to nominate Victorian or Edwardian buildings that are at risk in their local area. The campaign aims to highlight the problems facing many of our historic buildings. Nominations in previous years have included Victorian schools, mills, former workhouses, pubs, stately homes and chapels."

Find out more / nominate here.

Chancellor announces £30m for Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The Chancellor’s announcement yesterday (17 May) of an extra £30m for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme is very welcome news for listed churches.

However the Heritage Alliance still aregues that this announcement does nothing to address the ‘bigger picture’ of the Government’s decision to levy VAT on approved alterations to all listed buildings.

See www.theheritagealliance.org.uk for more information