Tweeting on Twitter

I've joined Twitter to witter.

I can now be found here:
 
https://twitter.com/NemesisRevivat

Nem

Up in the air

Apologies people for short blog, a family emergency occurred this morning and I don't know how things will pan out over the next few days, however I hope to keep this updated. Welcome also Jon and Craig, and thanks for the comments. It's nice to feel I am not alone here.

Interesting stuff in the comments about the Victorian Farm prog from last night, if you wish to really live life in the raw it seems you can stay in the cottage:

http://www.actonscott.com/henleycottage.php

although as it seems about like life chez Nem (even slightly more luxurious in fact) I suspect I will save the cash and stay at home.

Possibly we should have paying guests who wish to sample the simple life, flagstones, pantry and all? They could sleep in the bothy and work in the garden?

Some sort of good news on the conservation front:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3130981&c=1

However, the reality is slightly more complex, and I could explain in detail but this link does it so why should I?

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=114371

The sad part is how much was bulldozed before SAVE stepped in; thankfully, at least several of the buildings are now protected. The picture above is the interior of one of the historic wind tunnels.

This is a larger version:

http://www.airsciences.org.uk/image24footfan.html

The SAVE report, Save Farnborough, The Cradle of British Aviation, is still available from SAVE publications:

http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/

More:

http://www.airsciences.org.uk/

Short but hopefully of interest?

Nem

STOP PRESS Just arrived, Press Release from SAVE:

TRIUMPH, DISASTER AND DECAY THE SAVE SURVEY OF LIVERPOOL’S HERITAGE

AN EXHIBITION AT THE RIBA GALLERY IN LIVERPOOL FROM 16 FEBRUARY TO 6 MARCH 2009

As Liverpool emerges from its year in the limelight as European Capital of Culture, a new exhibition, mounted by SAVE Britain’s Heritage, takes a sobering look at the state of the city’s architectural heritage. As ever-taller apartment buildings spring up along the waterfront, countless historic buildings are still being left to rot, or demolished in the name of ‘regeneration’.

Less than a hundred years ago, Liverpool was a city of phenomenal wealth - its great dock system one of the wonders of the world. In the wake of World War II, changing patterns of industry and shipping led to steep economic decline, and in the decades that followed, the city’s built heritage was to come under terrible assault. In 1958 the bombed-out shell of one of the city’s finest landmarks, the monumental Custom House, was torn down to ‘relieve unemployment’ and countless Georgian and Victorian terraces were to follow - swept away for new housing estates.

Shockingly, large clearance schemes were to continue into the 1970s and 1980s, with Grade II-listed Clayton Square in the heart of the city demolished in 1986 to make way for a shopping centre. Today, whole terraces of good-quality Victorian houses are being cleared again, for the Edge Lane road-widening project, and for the Government’s Pathfinder housing scheme. In 1984, SAVE’s report The Agony of Georgian Liverpool documented the plight of dozens of Georgian houses. 25 years on, it is sad to report that many of the buildings featured in the report have been demolished, while others still cling on today in a desperate state of decay. Encouragingly, a number of fine inner-city Georgian terraces were saved in the 1980s through refurbishment programmes grant-aided by English Heritage, which more recently has conducted extensive research into Liverpool’s heritage and helped to fund a much-needed Buildings at Risk Officer.

Marcus Binney, SAVE's President says, ‘We have fought two of our most memorable campaigns in Liverpool, first rescuing the beautiful Regency Lyceum Club after consent to demolish had been granted and, second, taking legal action to stop the imminent demolition of the spectacular church of St Francis Xavier’.

This new exhibition will highlight the importance, as well as the vulnerability, of Liverpool’s architectural heritage - drawing attention to the alarming number of historic buildings still at risk in the city, as well as celebrating recent successes. Contemporary and historic photographs will be accompanied by commentary from leading historians, conservation experts and residents of Liverpool. The exhibition will run from 16 February to 6 March at the RIBA Gallery, 82 Wood Street, Liverpool L1 4DQ. It will be open Monday to Friday (9am-5pm), and on Saturday 21 February (11am-5pm). Further info from SAVE: http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/.

Full release including pictures:

http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/docs/articles/liverpool%20SAVE%20expo%20press%20release.pdf

The Merchant of Shepton Mallet

My, how the flames have reached my ears today, see below for some background, and how glad I am I do not live in Salem. Eeeeeeek.

In the garden, the cold weather has meant a large number of tits in a feeding frenzy. Clearly, that is not confined to my garden.

Don't make the elementary mistake I made while searching for an image of birds on google - be specific. Those are great tits in the picture. Try adding 'birds' to the search term.

A great deal of news sent to write about, but so gobsmacked at the vitriol some seem to think acceptable on another site (pots and kettles, citizens? I leave you to decide) that I will today confine myself to a few snippets of information. Possibly I should post a fruitcake recipe too, but I think after Christmas we have all had enough of fruitcakes?

Moving on...

Firstly, I hear that Jon Maine has finally completed the long time repair of the Merchant's House in Shepton Mallet. and Family Maine spent Christmas there. Such good news, a most beautiful and important Grade II* building rescued from dereliction; I leave the website to fill in the background, but I gather Jon is open to offers to come along and work his magic on your own home.

http://www.merchants-house.co.uk/

His recent Open Day, with guest Kevin McCloud off the telly, raised a substantial sum of money for the local hospice. Brilliant.

Courses for the next few months at the glorious Cressing Temple, Essex, which people may wish to consider for some hands-on experience:

http://www.cressingtemple.org.uk/

http://www.cressingtemple.org.uk/Courses/Building.htm

New Year Lectures 2009

Building Recording
9.30am – 12.30pm Wednesday 28th January
Speakers: Andrew Westman, Museum of London and Elphin Watkin, Historic Building Specialist
Good building conservation is dependent on understanding and analysing the fabric of a building. These lectures will look at different methods and approaches, and the standards of documentation required in the planning system. Cost £50.

Historic Lead
9.30am – 12.30pm Wednesday 11th February
Speaker: Dr Peter Rumley, Stephen Bradbury Architects
Good specification is essential to good lead work. This day will look at historic lead, its features and how it can be repaired. Cost £50.

Thatch
9.30am – 12.30pm Wednesday 18th February
Speaker: Keith Quantrill, Thatching Consultant
The session will look at the Essex thatching tradition, and address the practical issues of repair and maintenance, as well as looking at new thatch. It will also consider how to reduce the risk of fire. Cost £50.

Joinery Repair
9.30am – 12.30pm Wednesday 11th March 2009
Speaker: Joe Bispham, Historic Building Specialist
Traditional windows and doors make an important contribution to the appearance of historic buildings and should never be replaced if repair is at all possible. These lectures will look at historic joinery details as well as covering differing approaches to repairs and their specification. Cost £50.

Lime Specification
9.30am – 12.30pm Wednesday 25th March 2009
Speaker: Roy Cafferty, Traditional Lime Plasterer
The return to using lime rather than cement is the most important development of the last few decades in the care of historic buildings. The lectures will discuss the different types of limes, their use in plasters and mortar mixes, and will highlight the importance of preparation and aftercare. Cost £50.

TV tonight

A new series, The Victorian Farm, on BBC2 telly at 9pm, followed by Adam Hart Davis repeat of What the Victorians Did For Us - Steam.

"Watch a new series in which historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn move into a Victorian smallholding on the Acton Scott estate in Shropshire and live the life of Victorian farmers for a year."

No doubt it will all be available on watch again sites if you miss it. I have bottle or three of good ale in and a stack of logs, and will be glued to the TV.

Brewery website of the week (an occasional series):

http://www.bateman.co.uk/

Interesting website with a forum, which looks in needs of a few more posters to me:

http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/

Yesterday's comment and picture from Gareth very interesting, indeed I wonder if that is by Boardman? Great similarities.

Do keep in touch. I gather some have had probs posting comments, I HOPE that is resolved but I am very new to finding my way around the Blogger technology. Thank for all the support, I cannot tell you how much it is appreciated.

Nem