As the previous incumbent of the Highland Council's sole HER post, I can confirm it is quite a challenge!
Sylvina
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-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Vince Russett
Sent: 27 July 2015 11:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Archaeology, Austerity and Historic Environment Records
Morning, chums!
As retirement beckons, I am able to stand back and take a slightly more disinterested look at this.
The problem in dealing with planning issues is that many sites need to be visited (even Street View doesn't show everywhere - although it helps!) If we are dealing with multiple county records, some sites may be so remote that they are simply not visited. It's easy enough dealing with a little area like North Somerset, but how Devon (or the Highlands!) manage, I can't imagine. I still find people who are not even aware of the HER (or irritatingly, refer to it as the 'Somerset HER' which is a very different beast). I have thought in the past that having museum, library and HER altogether would have benefits of scale, and the Wiltshire model seems to work - although because it is an archive, it's always cold.
After a long fight to retain our paperwork (solved by the sheer bloody-mindedness of my HER officer Dan) we have now been given a new office (with windows, carpets and gasp! a kettle). This retaining is probably going to be a constant struggle against those who don't realise that the HER is both digital *and* paper, and although the intention is to ensure that the latter is digitised, we don't have the time or resources to finish that job.
The local studies library is now in the same building as us (which helps), so unfortunately are other public services, which means in this entirely open-plan building, there is a constant racket of babies crying, people shouting and occasionally even dogs barking. It's a terrible work environment.
Vince
Vince Russett
County Archaeologist
Development Management Group
North Somerset Council
Our Historic Environment Record is now on-line: Go to the North Somerset web site (http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk) then use the tabs Environment / Conservation / Archaeology/ Historic Environment Record. Enjoy! Please note the change in my landline AND my mobile numbers.
Landline: 01934 426256
Mobile: 07795812240
Please note my work hours are usually 8am to 4pm
-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Insole
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2015 10:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Archaeology, Austerity and Historic Environment Records
From our experience the HER is most valuable if it is sitting within the planning department with the planning archaeologist, but working in close partnership with museums, archives and preferably universities. This is due to several factors the most crucial being to enable the most rapid responses to planning proposals at any stage.
The way HERs look at the world spatially is also a better fit with planning disciplines. None of our museum or record office collections use GIS for example and spatial references in museum catalogues refer to precise shelf locations of the archive box.
Partnership working is going to become more and more important given the austerity agenda. Working together with museums, record offices, universities and communities will enable the optimal/efficient sharing of skills, help to raise the profile of heritage and demonstrate the value of heritage to a wider audience. Whether this is through Heritage Gateway on a national scale or through local initiatives (in an ideal world it should be both) will come down to individual authority priorities.
Best wishes,
Peter Insole
Principal Historic Environment Officer
City Design Group (Urban Design)
Planning Division
Place Directorate
Brunel House
St.George’s Road
Bristol
BS1 5UY
www.bristol.gov.uk/citydesigngroup
www.bristol.gov.uk/knowyourplace
Tel: 0117 9223033
This e-mail is confidential and is intended solely for the use of the individual(s) or organisation to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions expressed (including those contained within any attachments) represent an informal opinion of an officer of the City Council and are not binding on the Local Planning Authority. If you are not the intended recipient and you have received this e-mail in error you must take no action based on it. Please delete/destroy and inform the sender immediately.
-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mike Shaw
Sent: 27 July 2015 09:58
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Archaeology, Austerity and Historic Environment Records
The question of where local Historic Environment Records should be placed is a difficult one. On the one hand a home within a Museum or Cultural Heritage Sector, particularly perhaps Record Offices, would have the advantages of encouraging wider access to HERs and greater community use, on the other it has been my, and I suspect many others', experience that when housed within planning services HERs and local authority archaeologists tend to be listened to more readily than when giving advice at arm's length. I'm not sure what the answer to this is though changes within local government may mean that HERs , like so many other services will become increasingly arms length in any case. I suspect that services related to planning will remain better resourced than those relating to culture/museums though conversely the latter are perhaps more used to getting grants from outside and will be better able to demonstrate a commitment to wider usage of HERs.
I guess that one answer may be to have the HER and HER Officer housed within say a Record Office, while a Planning Archaeologist is based within the planning service. Rationally a larger HER would benefit from economy of scale but smaller local ones may feel of more relevance to the community.
The creation of larger joint authorities, such as that proposed for the West Midlands, may present an opportunity for the best of both worlds.
Much food for thought!
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Hicks" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2015 6:59 AM
Subject: Archaeology, Austerity and Historic Environment Records
Dear all -
Colleagues may find this blog post of interest - http://profdanhicks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/archaeology-austerity-and-future-of.html
It explores some of the broader significance of HERs as unique, often neglected and overlooked, and highly fragile cultural resources. It argues that we need to improve HERs' national coherence, their public accessibility and profile, and the stability of their future funding -- and that one important part of the way forward may be to build new connections and re-connections between Historic Environment Records and local authority museums.
The BBC broadcast mentioned in the blog post will be on Making History - this Tuesday at 3pm, and then on the iPlayer.
Dan
........................................
Dan Hicks MCIfA, FSA
Associate Professor in Archaeology, University of Oxford Curator, Pitt Rivers Museum Fellow, St Cross College, Oxford http://www.arch.ox.ac.uk/DH1.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/profdanhicks [Bristol 2015 - European Green Capital – an initiative of the European Commission] <http://www.bristol2015.co.uk>
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