Heritage Trust Network Annual Conference
Published 31st October 2023
FHBT attended the recent annual conference of the Heritage Trust Network, in Newcastle and Gateshead. This annual gathering of trusts, organisations and charities working in the heritage sector, is always a valuable learning experience, as well as an enjoyable experience. On Sunday 15th there was a welcome event, in the impressive St Mary’s Heritage Centre, a focus for volunteering, family history research, and heritage. The former Parish Church of Gateshead, this magnificent medieval building hosting a catered event for an appreciative audience of around 150 people, and was an impressive example of the collaborative approach of Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust working effectively with Gateshead Council.
The main conference took place in Newcastle Civic Centre, a Grade II* listed building. The 20th century building complex of halls, offices, interior/exterior spaces, sculpture and very dramatic applied arts and crafts, was much appreciated, photographed and discussed by the enthusiastic heritage delegates.
The talks and workshops were varied, incredibly useful and with many lessons to learn, or approaches to adopt.
The City of Bradford frankly described a transition from successive bid failures for major funding, to developing a heritage strategy that led to success bidding for UK city of Culture 2025.
The Churches Conservation Trust, who have a staff of 80, and care for around 300 churches, described practical learning from failure. One example was a business plan that had included event income, but the design hadn’t allowed for fridges or freezers with a capacity to serve chilled wine. Critical to successful events, income, and therefore post completion viability. A rented bulky white box, in a corridor, trailing wires wasn’t the elegant solution for the aspiration.
Another workshop offered practical tips to heritage organisations on making sure their websites were both accessible, and inclusive. We were encouraged to use simple language, short sentences, and avoid jargon. If a website goal is to engage, inform, and enthuse, try to make sure all of the pages are engaging; information is easy to find; and that content is inspiring. If it is hard to access information or to navigate a website, then users will not follow through to read, learn, or subscribe.
The conference rotates around the UK four nations, so Scotland is next!
