C O N T E X T 1 1 9 : M A Y 2 0 1 1 37 Mr E obviously realised from my offended tone that this was an opportunity to continue in the same vein. ‘He has a point, I suppose.’ My eyes narrowed. This was another trap. I expect it from the cousin in Kentucky, not from Mr E. He knows this is my passion, my hobby, my principal interest (apart from the children and my handbags). This is not a matter for humour. ‘Look at it this way,’ he continued. ‘If an owner inadvertently removed part of a timber frame or lifted some old floorboards and replaced them with new ones, would it matter, if the building still remained the same from a public viewpoint?’ I groaned and realised my forehead had made contact with the dining table.Would it never end? When would the world accept the truth? So, I launched into my explanation. You know what I would have said, so I do not need to set it out here. He sat and listened, almost attentively. ‘I know all that. But you have to keep on your toes or I will start to think you just rush round the county providing an interior design service for owners of listed buildings and that conservation area reviews are designed only keep the lovely places lovely and neglect the ordinary.’With that he flounced off with his Olympic paperwork and a smug expression. He is right.We can not be complacent.We know what we do, and we know why we do it. But in some parts of the country there is a perception that we have ‘done conservation’. In some areas it may be a choice between our work and what it can offer to a community compared to more immediate demands.We need to get out there and show all the doubters what the value of heritage is and what the risks are if we neglect it. My old boss (let’s call him JD) used to call it our ‘missionary work’. He would persuade, cajole, shame, educate, enthuse, flatter – anything necessary to get the message across. The best thing was that he seemed to have a good time doing it. Come August 2012, I will be watching the show jumping, gasping at the weightlifting, shouting encouragement at the rowers and probably reading a book during the hockey. But I shall also be out and about with my cousin L, discussing Roman settlement in Chichester, the fashion for seaside holidays, royal scandal in Brighton and Tudor military history in Portsmouth. In the less obvious places we will find the signs and clues within the historic environment that tell us where we came from, what we thought was important, what we achieved and who we are today. So be vigilant. Don’t let any opportunity pass that could provide an opportunity for missionary work. Opportunities arise at unexpected moments, at work, at home and while watching the horses dancing. Jo Evans, [email protected] Building conservationists leaping into action to spread their message. GutterClear in Gloucestershire GutterClear, set up in 2007 by the Diocese of Gloucester in collaboration with the not-for-profit company Maintain our Heritage, is a scheme to keep churches in the Gloucestershire area in good condition. More than 100 places of worship have taken part so far. GutterClear has pioneered a process that can easily be replicated. An experienced local contractor makes a visit to the church, and cleans and tests downpipes and gutters. Any other problems, such as a slipped slate, blocked drain or broken gutter, are reported to the client. During the first three years of the scheme, parishes would arrange a visit through the GutterClear administrator, and he would remind the parish about a repeat clearance a year later. Now, with the scheme well established, parishes deal directly with the contractor.The diocese has accredited contractors for the scheme. Before a first visit, the contractor makes a preliminary visit to assess the scale of the job, the access method, and any unusual health and safety problems before issuing a quote.There is a simple agreement between parish and contractor that was prepared at the outset of the scheme, and there is also a standard GutterClear specification which contractors work to. The contractor may use a powered access platform (cherry picker) or ladders, or a combination of both. Contractors can also be asked to apply SmartWater to vulnerable materials such as lead during the visit so that the material can be traced if stolen. The visit can also be used to allow church architects or surveyors to inspect high-level parts of the building. See www.gutterclear.org and contact Timothy Cantell at Maintain our Heritage (01225 482228, tcantell@ maintainourheritage.co.uk). Cherry pickers make access easy. ©iStockphoto.com/Matt_Brown
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