The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

A unique course that has trained thousands of the country’s building professionals in the repair and renovation of old buildings will run again in autumn 2012. With the downturn in the construction of new buildings, many architects and other building professionals are increasingly turning to work on existing buildings. The five-day Repair Course, run by SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) is for them.

Understanding consent regimes is vital for all who work with historic buildings, including architects, surveyors, engineers, planners, builders and contractors. However the range of consent types involved - listed building, conservation area, scheduled monument consent, as well as faculty jurisdiction - can seem complex and confusing. This technical afternoon is intended as a guide through the maze.

Faith in Maintenance (FiM) - a unique scheme to provide free training for volunteers from all faith communities who care for significant, historic buildings as their place of worship - has been shortlisted in the Environment and Conservation category of the Civil Society's prestigious Charity Awards 2012. The nomination coincides with yet another national endorsement of FiM's value in the form of further funding from English Heritage (EH) enabling the scheme to continue into 2013.

The SPAB opposes the government's proposal to apply VAT to works of alteration to listed buildings. Our interest is the care and protection of historic buildings and the promotion of building craft skills. VAT affects the ability of owners to care for their buildings, the viability of projects involving historic buildings at risk, and the survival of firms that work in this specialist field. We wish to see the works of care and repair to listed buildings supported, with no "perverse incentive" to alter or build anew. Read more here

An introduction to traditional paint technology for professionals involved with historic buildings.

The latest edition of Cornerstone is packed with news and views from the heritage sector, including a tantalising story that might link a tomb slab in a Berkshire church to Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice...

There is no parallel in the world of building conservation to the SPAB Lethaby Scholarship. Since 1930 it has set 145 young architecture and building professionals on the road to positions of great responsibility in the conservation sector. The latest recruits take that number to 151.

Two stonemasons and a bricklayer have been chosen as SPAB's 2012 William Morris Craft Fellows. They have just set off on a journey taking them to workshops, studios and heritage conservation projects in all parts of the country. In the months ahead they will learn about traditional building techniques from skilled, established practitioners. The aim is to foster a new generation of outstanding craftsmen and women.

An ambitious scheme to create a network of informed community groups dedicated to the care and repair of historic buildings used as places of worship has been given the green light by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The aim of the new Maintenance Co-operative Movement is to connect, encourage and support the army of volunteers across the county who are largely responsible for the up-keep of some of our most beautiful and significant local landmarks.

Britain's oldest heritage charity, SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) has been named as one of Europe's most outstanding organisations involved in the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage. Established by William Morris 135 years ago, SPAB's considerable contribution to the world of conservation has been recognised with a prestigious European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2012.