Judges in the fifth year of the IHBC Marsh Awards – for Successful Learning in Heritage Skills and Community Contribution (Retired Member) – are delighted to announce the 2020 IHBC Marsh Awards, including certificates and cash awards up to £500, to:
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David Lovie, IHBC’s late Past President and North Branch member, for Community Contributions by a Retired Member of the IHBC
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Paula Baron, Successful Learning in Heritage Skills, at the Canal & River Trust (CRT)
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Andy Barrow from the Building Crafts College (BCC) in London, ‘Highly Commended’ under the same award.
IHBC President Mike Brown said: ’The awarding of the Marsh Award 2020 for ‘Community Contribution’ to David Lovie was a fitting tribute to a wonderful man who made an exceptional contribution to heritage and community engagement, locally and nationally, over very many years.
‘As many of you will know, David, who also served as President of the IHBC, passed away recently and there is inevitably some regret and poignancy in the fact that he did not live to collect the award and thereby hear first-hand of the regard and respect in which he was held by so many.
‘David’s nomination stood out in a very strong field of candidates all making a remarkable difference within their community.
‘On a perhaps lighter note, I am pleased to announce the award of the Marsh Award 2020 for ‘Successful Learning in Heritage Skills’ to Paula Baron who’s commitment to a wide-ranging understanding of conservation skills stood out in, again, a strong field.
‘If you know of someone making such a contribution then I urge you to put them forward for consideration for next years awards’.
‘In fact, we were inspired to make a further award as ‘Highly Commended’ to Andy Barrow for his pioneering and thorough research into scagliola.
It was a huge pleasure to read the nominations for both categories of the Marsh Awards and to learn of the huge and continuing efforts being made by so many to making the nations heritage richer and better understood.
If you know of someone making such a contribution then I urge you to put them forward for consideration for next years awards.’
It is hoped that the awards can be formally made in London on 3 December, depending on circumstances linked to the pandemic.
…’awarding of the Marsh Award 2020 for ‘Community Contribution’ to David Lovie was a fitting tribute to a wonderful man…
Judges’ comments:
Community Contribution (Retired Member): David Lovie, £500 and certificate, posthumously awarded
‘It is with deep regret that this award is made posthumously, recognising the outstanding contribution David made over very many years towards positive community interaction with our rich built environment. The judges were hugely impressed with David’s strong and enduring impact working with various communities, especially the Alnwick Civic Society, at both the local and national levels.
‘David’s time in retirement has been very well spent, particularly focussing his extensive experience on place-making and local heritage for the benefit of the community. In a 2008 article for the IHBC, David promoted the value of volunteering in the historic environment. He revealed the single unifying thread running his voluntary work to be a love for the heritage valued by local people. He admitted being addicted to building the capacity of communities to make their place better, advocating the wellbeing benefits of volunteering in the historic environment.
David’s enthusiasm is infectious, driven as he is by his great ability to share his skills and experience in ways which are accessible and engaging. He has always seen volunteering as a way of strengthening his working life and vice-versa. His professional skill and humility, his quick wit, canny turn-of-phrase and down-to-earth spirit have been a great source of joy and inspiration in the careers of many.’
Successful Learning in Heritage Skills: Paula Baron, Canal & River Trust, £500 award and certificate
Paula, is in her fifth year with Canal & River Trust and in that time has shown great commitment to expanding her skillset and knowledge.
Paula Baron who’s commitment to a wide-ranging understanding of conservation skills stood out in, again, a strong field
Paula has regularly worked with contractors who have always commented on her enthusiasm and remarked how they have ‘rarely come across anyone so keen to learn’. Paula is a great ambassador for the trust and demonstrates perfectly how an academic love of history can be put into practice, working on structures that are over two hundred years old, always with the greatest level respect and care. I have personally watched her grow in confidence and in skill, always pushing for the correct materials to be used and educating even the people she works with on the benefits of using lime mortar. She commits herself to preserving our heritage and educating others about its importance.’
The judges saw her commitment and passion to learning shine through, noting how her general area of learning reflects core principles of the IHBC’s approach of cultivating a wider understanding and appreciation of conservation work.
Successful Learning in Heritage Skills: Highly Commended: Andy Barrow, Building Crafts College and CBRE, £250 award and certificate
‘Andy enrolled onto the Foundation Degree (FdSc) at the Building Crafts College (BCC) in Historic Building Conservation in 2017. As part of his FdSc Andy completed a project to research and make up panels of scagliola so that he could better understand and conserve this particular material, examples of which are to be found on the estates for which CBRE, and Andy, are responsible. Andy completed his research completely independently and submitted three (3) scagliola panels and three (3) scagliola samples along with his written report. His report is an exemplar of practical research undertaken independently with practical application completed during the 2nd year of an undergraduate programme.’
‘Highly Commended’ to Andy Barrow for his pioneering and thorough research into scagliola
The judges were impressed by Andy’s ability to locate a significant gap in knowledge in a conservation topic (scagliola), and to dig in through targeted learning to help fill the gap.
It is planned for all winners, or their chosen representative, to be on hand on the day of the IHBC Council+ and AGM, on 3 December in London, to receive their awards, pending potential restrictions in light of the current circumstances.
For more on the IHBC Marsh Awards for Community Contribution (Retired Member) and Successful Learning in Heritage Skills see the website.
