Our Sustainability Policy

Be patient and open to ideas.

Conservation work should be pragmatic and closely tied to sustainability. It requires diligence, sensitivity and being receptive to other people’s views. Visiting sites and discussing complex conservation issues with passionate and skilful individuals who share a love of heritage is the favourite part of my job.

You never know where work will take you.

As part of  an ongoing project I have been very fortunate to have been involved on an archaeological site at Aphrodisias in SW Turkey.  We have worked alongside an international team conserving the statuary and buildings.  A great privilege to work on Roman objects in their original setting.

An unforgettable moment.

The Roman marble statue of a cat from Powis Castle was an exceptional project. The research and treatment led to the successful replication of 18th-century repairs composed of beeswax. With the inspiring project began a thirst for knowledge on the techniques used by the 18th century restorers.

What conservation means to me.

The protection and preservation of our historic buildings, monuments, objects and sculptures by maintaining and repairing for the future. Also managing change to a place of historic interest in a way that sustains or sometimes enhances its importance for many years to come.

You never stop learning.

There’s always new techniques or even little tips to learn. It’s not just learning from those more senior – many of the tips and new techniques will come from the younger generation. One skill we Conservators have is the ability to think ‘outside the box’ and relish approaching some of the more difficult challenges.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

It is about preserving our built heritage and respecting the artistry that made it. At the same time conservation needs to strike a balance between the reverence for the past and maintaining current craft skills and allowing those skills to flourish by replacing historic fabric where there is a sound argument.

Saving our yesterdays for all our tomorrows.

The history of the building and the people who built it is vital. It’s what connects you. Receiving a civic award for the conservation works on Newsons Farm Thorpe Morieux must be my proudest moment. My biggest challenge to date is moving a whole timber-framed barn to save it from demolition.