IHBC Chair David McDonald has offered an update to members on current developments and relevant activities as we face our COVID-19 lockdown, including evolving plans for the IHBC’s 2020 Virtual School, #IHBCVirtualSchool2020 to replace the planned – and postponed – Brighton 2020 School.
David McDonald writes:
Since I last contributed to the NewsBlog on 27 March, the full implications of the current epidemic have become a lot clearer. We have been including as much reliable, relevant advice as we can on subsequent NewsBlogs.
With no imminent signs of the lock-down being relaxed, I’m conscious that there is a need to review where we are now. The Heritage Alliance (THA) has been working on the historic environment sector’s behalf, by campaigning and keeping in contact with DCMS and Heritage Minister, Nigel Huddlestone. A summary of its response to government case be found HERE
Other heritage organisations have also taking their own initiatives, including the NLHF which has launched an Emergency Fund to assist its grant recipients. I hope that NewsBlog readers have taken the opportunity to complete the Historic England survey on employment (now closed) which will form a useful base for monitoring the current and future impact of the epidemic on the sector.
The IHBC has been planning ahead. You will have seen recent posts on the postponement of the 2020 Annual School and a planned 2020 Virtual School event to keep up our CPD support for members, as well as to help heritage and conservation world look at, and beyond, the current crisis. It promises to be a useful way of keeping up-to-date with what is happening in the sector as well as valuable CPD.
I am keen to find out how the epidemic is affecting IHBC members and other NewsBlog readers. I would also like to know whether the NewsBlog links to other organisations and initiatives have been useful.
I am conscious as well that my references above have an England bias. Feedback from the other home nations is equally valuable. Whatever your experience I would be keen to hear from you at chair@ihbc.org.uk, as that will enable me to pass on relevant issues to the THA, BEFS and others.
In the meantime, I hope that you and our friends and family are well.
Stay safe.
See more on the 2020 Virtual School
See more COVID-19 NewsBlog updates
