About Me

Heritage Lincolnshire is running an innovative approach to managing heritage at risk by training and supporting a network of volunteer 'heritage stewards' to complete surveys on Lincolnshire's heritage assets including historic buildings, places of worship, parks and gardens, conservation areas and archaeological sites. Project Officers Michael Knapton and Natalie Hamilton, together with some of our keen Heritage Stewards, will be writing a weekly blog on the Heritage at Risk project which will provide updates on the latest news and goings on, as well as offering an insight in to the day to day running of the project and the experiences of our Heritage Stewards.

Monday 12 March 2012

The On-going Costs of Heritage Sites


No one can have failed to notice that the UK as well as the rest of the Western world is currently experiencing the most severe financial recession in living memory. Through surveying many historic buildings in the county I have begun to appreciate that the upkeep of these sites has become even more of a challenge than it was previously. As I was involved as a volunteer at a local windmill a few years ago an article in the local press took my interest last week. A group of volunteers from Heckington’s famous 8-sailed windmill had travelled to a similar mill at Alford to view the recently renewed sails there.

Alford windmill

Because of decay, Heckington’s own sails are currently in the process of being renewed. The millers  visited the millwright’s premises to see their sails under construction. The traditional material for sails in this country is said to be matured pine but due to difficulties in sourcing wood of the  required quality, the decision had been made to follow Alford’s lead in using laminated larch wood; structurally strong, but costly (well into six figures, as I understand.) As such, the costs implications associated with the task of keeping buildings of this type in a working condition become clear. Curious as to how long repairs such as these are likely to last before again becoming necessary, I did some basic research. An old book on windmills in the UK told me that the sails at Alford had previously been replaced around 1978. Major funding could therefore be needed in around 30 years; hopefully, several years longer due to the durable materials that have been used. A windmill without sails is a sorry sight (as many mills in the county testify) and of course, without sails, the mills’ intended function of producing flour becomes impossible. Those involved in securing funding at Alford and Heckington are therefore to be congratulated in managing to keep their mills in good working condition. Recession or not, the viability of mills as examples of our industrial heritage present considerable financial responsibilities for those concerned with their upkeep in the years ahead.       

Heckington windmill


Similar considerations of cost beset another sector of our heritage sites: places of worship.

The press continue to run stories on the theft of lead and other metals from churches several times a week. An oratory in Birmingham had its roof lead stolen recently. The church authorities there have faced the all too familiar collateral effects of this type of  theft, in that to protect irreplaceable items, (in this case mosaics, marble statuary, woodwork and the church organ,) huge expense has been necessary to provide emergency sheeting - down of the areas concerned.


Despite legislation introduced in January to regulate the scrap metal trade it is obvious that opportunities still exist to dispose of the stolen property for profit. It would appear to be the case that until the price of lead falls significantly, theft from churches is set to continue.

A novel approach to deter thieves was reported in the Daily Telegraph this week. An insurance company has made a donation of £500,000 for intruder alarms to be installed in the 100 churches considered to be at most risk. Movement sensors are to be hidden in spires and decorative finials and are designed to trigger a “booming alert” telling intruders that security guards are on their way. Dubbed as “The Voice of God”, the system is thought to be a cost effective alternative to replacing stolen roofing materials. Ecclesiastical, the insurance firm that is said to provide cover for 96% of Anglican churches, received 2,600 claims for metal thefts last year. For those churches left to fund alarms themselves however, the cost implications merely add to the financial responsibilities already incumbent in maintaining these magnificent but vulnerable buildings. 


             
Colin, Heritage Steward