The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

In the North East there is a desperate shortage of builders and contractors with the skill and experience necessary for working with old buildings. Often, through lack of knowledge, contractors unwittingly cause damage to a period building by using inappropriate materials and approaches. For the third year running, SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) has joined forces with Hull College's Centre of Vocational Excellence in Construction to offer a one day workshop designed to foster best practice.

Leicestershire and its surrounding counties are lucky to retain a large number of vernacular buildings. Of all the materials used in the construction of these regionally distinctive buildings, some form of limestone usually plays an important role, both physically and aesthetically. In June builders will be able to explore the use of this environmentally friendly and sustainable building material during a two-day event organised jointly by SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings), The Building Limes Forum (eastern) and Brooksby Melton College.

Satellite navigation systems are posing a threat to Britain’s ancient bridges, roads and buildings as increasing numbers of drivers are directed to use lanes and country roads never designed for heavy vehicles. The issue is highlighted in the latest issue of Cornerstone, the members’ magazine of SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings).

Four young professionals from the world of architecture and building will hit the road together this month as SPAB's (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) 2008 Scholars set out on the Society's prestigious annual training scheme. The group will travel the length and breadth of the country to gain first hand experience of conservation skills and crafts.

Fighting to keep the craft skills that built Britain alive into the 21st century, The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) has selected a leadworker, a stonemason, a carpenter and an engineer to follow its unique annual training programme, the 2008 William Morris Craft Fellowship.

This June, SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) brings its highly respected Weekend Homeowners’ Courses to Wales at the Ty Mawr, Lime Centre, Brecon (Saturday and Sunday June 28th and 29th ) to help people who own listed and period properties to make informed, confident decisions about their homes.

BAA announced today (March 11th) that it wants to dismantle or demolish no fewer than 13 listed buildings to make way for a further runway at Stansted Airport in Essex. The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) has vowed to fight the proposals. SPAB says that in terms of historic buildings, the plans for expansion at Stansted and Heathrow could pose the most serious airborne threat to historic buildings since the the Luftwaffe.

The Joint Committee of National Amenity Societies consists of the national amenity societies which by law must be notified of all applications that involve the demolition of listed buildings in England and Wales. It also includes the Civic Trust and the Garden History Society which must be consulted over certain works to historic gardens and landscapes. This response is the collective view of the Joint Committee, though individual societies may also be submitting their own more specific comments.

SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) is running a new series of technical courses for Spring/Summer 2008, with an emphasis on environmental issues and craft skills. The courses are specifically designed for those working with historic buildings.

A national scheme to provide free training for people from all faith communities to care for their historic place of worship comes to Bolton in April.