No one seems to have mentioned the National Trust in any discussion about the RI that I have seen. Seems to me that there is a good deal of logic in them taking on the building as a historic monumnent and either keeping the RI organization in situ, much like decayed aristos whose houses get taken over often stay on in a flat or something, or they just move to new cheap premises. I can't see the govt coughing up cash in the current political climate, but the NT is not trammeled by political limitations. The RI might not get the full 60m this way, but certainly enough to pay debts and re-establish themselves elsewhere
IAN
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-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James,Gareth
Sent: 28 January 2013 08:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Royal Institution: 'Nobody cares about your stupid history!' | Martin Robbins
Hi Michael
Good questions - thankfully in London there is generally a lot (even in these straitened times) of demand for venues if not quite as much as there was a few years ago with each selling itself on its special features that suit different audiences.
In my humble opinion the RI needs, as you say, to look at its portfolio and try to determine the value of what each element is versus the cost of provision and use this not only to sell itself to potential sponsors or customers but also to help look afresh at what it does. This may help to cut costs and improve benefits, not only to the organisation but to those with whom it engages. This is something we are frequently trying to do with schools programme at the IET. There is still room for improvement and we still find ourselves having to deal with less-than-cost-effective projects and activities that are viewed with a great deal of affection by members; however, we have found that having a clear idea of our objectives and the needs of the end user (schools, teachers and the public) has enabled us to shed some activities that were holding us back and to drive forward those with a genuine market and those that have identifiable impact. In doing so, and in collecting useful data about these, were have been able to get increased support from our members and trustees, even a bit of sponsorship and have developed a wide range of new partnerships with schools, universities and business.
Doing this, together with looking anew at how to commercially utilise the building, may be enough to keep the RI at Albemarle Street but if it is not it may well help them to focus more clearly on their role and its impact going forward.
Gareth
Gareth James
Education 5-19
The IET
www.theiet.org
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Kenward
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 10:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Royal Institution: 'Nobody cares about your stupid history!' | Martin Robbins
I've spent more time at the IET than the RI in recent years. It has a much better view.
The problem with using a venue as a money maker is that there are just so many competing organisations as well as the IET. With the Royal Society (interesting anecdote there for anyone who cares) and the Royal Academy of Engineering offering views over the Mall, who wants to peer out into a backyard?
Has anyone brought together a list of the things that the RI does? I'm afraid that being old and enthusing a handful of kids is not likely to raise
£2 million a year. It needs to present a portfolio of activities.
Here is a short list, in no particular order, of things that have flown by on this list:
Christmas lectures are a wonderful hook for school kids.
Nice venue for spiffy events
Historically important place
Extremely successful schools programme
"Totally awesome" lecture theatre
Good place for scientific research
Centre of excellence for work on the history of science
There must be more to it than this thin list. But that is all that I can find in the messages posted here. The last two have not appeared here: they are my additions. The history one hasn't appeared anywhere, but Frank James is a power in his own right.
Have I missed anything significant that you would use in a case to save the RI?
I haven't seen a list like this on the other lists chewing over the fate of the RI. Without it, no one will pay much attention as the begging bowl whizzes by.
How much would you say each of these is worth?
Don't forget, money spent there is probably money not spent elsewhere. With you perhaps.
MK
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James,Gareth
Sent: 27 January 2013 12:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Royal Institution: 'Nobody cares about your stupid history!' | Martin Robbins
This whole situation has been very interesting for me working as I do for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as we are just in the process of deciding to what extent we go through with a refurbishment of 2 Savoy Place on the Embankment - another prime piece of London real-estate.
It would be interesting to know how much of the £22M that was spent on the RI was a necessity rather than just to improve the appearance as one of the reasons we are going for an overhaul is because we need to spend a certain amount on our 19th century historical home to bring it up to certain standards. For us the debate is not so much whether we have to do it but more how much further we go to make the most of the opportunity.
The IET took the decision a good few years ago now to reduce our cost base by moving the majority of the operation to Stevenage. We retain Savoy Place as a venue for income generation and to provide facilities for members and will continue to do so whilst is cost effective.
My personal feeling is that RI should do the same - whilst I would love to see it remain at Albemarle Street the institution is more important than the building and, unless the building can be repurposed to be cost effective they may need to make the pragmatic decision.
The question that came up about churches is interesting - the church should be the community of people not the building. Many congregations have had to make difficult choices over where they meet and as a consequence have moved into new or shared venues rather than be saddled with inappropriate or costly buildings.
By the way, when the RI were unable to use their lecture theatre they decamped for some of their events to our theatre at Savoy Place, so they can host things elsewhere when they wish!
Gareth
Gareth James
Education 5-19
The IET
Institution of Engineering and Technology, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage UK SG1 2AY
Tel: +44 7725 498117
On 27 Jan 2013, at 11:42, "Richard Ellam"
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]
.UK>> wrote:
But surely the point is, Phillip, that you can afford to live in your impractical old house, and its charms (or drawbacks?) don't prevent you getting on with your life. The Ri isn't in this situation any longer, for whatever reason.
If you found yourself in straightened circumstances, so that your present house became an unsustainable burden, then presumably you would, with regret, move on. I think maybe the Ri is facing this difficult decision.
For once I agree with Michael Kenward - if its a choice between 21 Albermarle Street and the Ri as an institution, we should ditch the swanky palace and keep the organisation.
Cheers
Richard.
Richard Ellam
L M Interactive
Science Shows and Hands-On Stuff
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]
uk>
On 26 Jan 2013, at 01:22, Philip Hunt wrote:
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
I live in a draughty, cold, old house just outside Brussels. It's far too big for me, is expensive to heat, difficult to get to, and totally impractical. What I should do is move into a modern, comfortable apartment in the city.
It would be cheaper to run, have better communications, be closer to the cinemas, theatres and bars (and anything else I might want to do), and generally be far more practical.
I would save money on heating fuel, could get rid of the car, go out at night and fall into a taxi to get home when necessary. The night shops would be available, and I'd have a vastly superior social life.
I wouldn't have to worry about field-mice nesting in the basement, or the ever-encroaching masses of nettles, brambles and other neer-do-well flora and fauna. I wouldn't even have to try and keep squirrels out of the roof-space.
I could even leave my neighbours behind!
I cannot argue with the logic. It all makes perfect sense. I should do it tomorrow!
But somehow, after 20 years, I'm reluctant to tear myself away. I can't think why.
Philip
- --
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
+32 484 361336
www.shoeman.eu/<http://www.shoeman.eu/>
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