With the IHBC’s 2023 Swansea School now a week past, the IHBC offers an interim review and a final thanks to School Sponsors – notably School Principal Sponsor MFL Insurance Group and Day School host The University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) – as well as to volunteers, supporters and participants.
In particular thanks are offered to Principal Sponsor MFL Insurance Group, which has demonstrated its special commitment through invaluable support for the programme – hosting both its Heritage MarketPlace stall and MarketPlace:LIVE Zoom Room, as well as an in-person stall at the Day School – and in their partnership with the IHBC offering Professional Indemnity insurance specifically designed to meet the requirements of our members.
Kevin McParland, Executive Chairman of MFL Insurance Group said: ‘As a long-standing supporter of IHBC, we are delighted to be the Principal Sponsor of this year’s IHBC Annual School. We already represent many IHBC members with their insurances, and together with our commitment to professionalism, meant that sponsorship of this event was an easy choice.’
… informal reports…especially for in person delegates….very positive…
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘With feedback still being gathered, informal reports on the value and experience of the School programme, especially for in person delegates, has been very positive. In particular the diverse locally-led tours and visits made the most of the on-site learning opportunities.’
‘Unlike the ‘hybrid’ 2022 Aberdeen School, the 2023 Day School was ‘livestreamed’, with both being experimental adaptations for our post-pandemic, climate-challenged world. We will look carefully at the specific strengths of each approach as regards our members’ learning needs and priorities. That will inform how we will plan and deliver the 2024 School and supporting MarketPlace:LIVE from Reading, from 19-22 June next year, and hosted by the IHBC’s South Branch.’
‘So for anyone attending, please be sure to fill in the feedback survey as that’s the best way to help us make 2024, in Reading, even better!’
IHBC writes:
All involved are thanked for their generous contributions. These include local-lead Moira Lucas who offered numerous special and practical insights in her tours, and Swansea School Committee lead John Edwards – ably supported by his team of volunteers – who also took on the role of tour lead for both Thursday and Saturday. Both our thanks and our debt to all involved in the programme – volunteers, consultants, staff and delegates – are substantial and heartfelt!
Reception Sponsors Penderyn Distillery were big-hearted hosts in welcoming School delegates to their new distillery at the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, site of the world’s largest copperworks in the late 19th century. Penderyn Distillery have distilleries, in the village of Penderyn, South Wales; in Llandudno, North Wales, and now this new distillery in Swansea which will open to the public soon. Thursday reception delegate tours of the new distillery, as a ‘conservation project in action’ highlighting the building’s conservation and conversion, concluded in whiskey and gin tastings generously provided by Penderyn.
The University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) generously provided accommodation for the Day School & Annual Dinner alongside some tremendous support in delivering the Day School.
The Annual Dinner itself marked a welcome, post-Covid return to our pre-pandemic model of formal dinner, School networking and awards presentations. This year again both the IHBC’s Gus Astley Annual Student Awards programme and the IHBC Marsh Awards were represented, with judges and winners all thanked and applauded. Both awards programmes continue to be underpinned by the IHBC’s own CREATIVE Conservation Fund, which helps fund School delegate bursaries among a range of the IHBC’s dedicated charitable ventures.
In Swansea, Ty Mawr lime was also welcomed to the Day School where its representatives showcased a range of environmentally-friendly building materials and systems linked to the theme of the School Climate Change and the Historic Environment; Resilience and Performance.
All delegates at the Day School, online or in person, have now received a link to watch it all or part again and as needed.
If you want to see the livestreamed recordings from Swansea, but did not join as a delegate before, you can still sign up and access a very full day of CPD on ‘Climate Change and the Historic Environment’, from only £30+VAT by signing up HERE.
