-----Original Message-----
From: Cuming, Paul - SP EM [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 17 February 2000 11:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: In Nomine Smrorum
Paul writes;
>If my job description is retitled Historic Environment >Information Record
officer or somesuch I move from a >position where I can defend our record
fairly robustly >to one where I have to acknowledge serious weaknesses.<
Well, another way of looking at it is that the new title would open up
opportunities for enhancement, expansion or whatever...we move on surely.
Graham Fairclough, in his recent "Invitation To Participate" missive neatly
explains;
"Many of the policies and instruments which have served us so well during
the 20th century are now many decades old, and sometimes based on 19th
century ideas. Horizons have broadened, as have aspirations for the
heritage and the role it plays in modern life."
We, in government, both local and central are also needing to engage with
the issues of 'best value' and 'social inclusion' and many of our SMR's are
socially exclusive, unfriendly and frustratingly incomplete; certainly not
best value.
>Clearly this has ramifications both politically and in >terms of the
planned future direction of the SMR<
Yes it does, but the ramifications can be very positive. I do not think
that I will ever manage to sell the SMR to members in any way that will
satisfy my own aspirations but re-branding...that is another matter
entirely.
>Historic Environment Information Record - just how long >is this particular
piece of string?<
A good point but we needn't be detained for long over this - it's just a
convenient box, all these acronyms are just boxes, its just that a new paint
job or more modern wrapping paper can make a difference. Whether we like it
or not, there are a lot of people around us in positions of power and
responsibility who are attracted by new jargon and new packaging,
deliverables instead of outputs, Historic environment instead of
archaeological landscapes.
>...stretched by resourcing problems do we really need >the serious new
injection of confusion both inside and >outside the profession that changing
our names must >bring?<
I find people relate far better to historic environment than they do to
sites and monuments. The historic environment is dynamic whereas a site or
a monument is static, both equally valid but a monument is to be visited and
a landscape can be lived in, engaged with and explored.
Anyway, a few thoughts.
Bob Sydes
Archaeological Officer
Bath & North East Somerset Council
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