IHBC has offered its congratulation to IHBC Member Darren Barker – conservation officer at Great Yarmouth Borough Council and managing director at the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust – on the award of an MBE in the recent honours list.
image: Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust
[Darren said]…‘It is a recognition of the preservation trust and its work.’…
IHBC Chair David McDonald said: ‘It is always gratifying to see that IHBC Members have been recognised nationally for the work that they do, much of which goes ‘above and beyond’.’
… very impressed by the range of projects taking place and the enthusiasm and commitment of Darren and his colleagues…
‘In Darren Barker’s case I am particularly pleased.’
‘A few year’s ago I was fortunate to be invited to speak at a conference in Great Yarmouth on seaside heritage. I was very impressed by the range of projects taking place and the enthusiasm and commitment of Darren and his colleagues. His MBE is richly deserved!’
Darren Barker said: ‘I am very lucky to work with such a fabulous team at the preservation trust who make me appear far more competent than I actually am.
In the last 10 years we have secured nearly £20m for heritage preservation in Yarmouth.
Stand out preservation trust projects have been the regeneration of King Street in Yarmouth restoring and finding viable new uses for scores of vacant and neglected listed buildings, the Hopton Ruined Church training and repair project, and the town wall towers programme.
I have also been busy working internationally especially Bulgaria and Taiwan where I have established and manage conservation projects which preserve heritage assets and train and engage people.’
Great Yarmouth Mercury writes:
‘I am humbled’ – Great Yarmouth heritage champion made MBE
A man who leads efforts to preserve Great Yarmouth’s rich heritage has been made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list.
Darren Barker, principal conservation officer at Great Yarmouth Borough Council and managing director at the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, has been made an MBE for services to heritage.
Mr Barker, 54 and who lives in Catfield, said: ‘I was actually shocked when I got the letter.
‘I am delighted, proud and humbled to be made an MBE.
‘It is a recognition of the preservation trust and its work.’
