Profile: Thomas Woodcock/Peter Chowns
Course: MSc in Conservation of the Historic Environment
Job: Asset Heritage Advisor (Tom)/ Architect/Urban Designer(Peter)
Employer: British Waterways
Tom
Having spent four years training in valuation and estate management, I found my job in commercial agency somewhat lacking. I still wanted to work with historic property, as I had always hoped, but I hadn’t yet managed to find my route. In 2005 I discovered the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, which offered me good advice and recommended the course to me.
The opportunity to study part time in a subject I love was perfect and proved to be a completely career-altering event: within a month I had secured a new job with British Waterways (BW) who were prepared to take me on and help me train both on the job and through CEM. This changed everything for the better and I’ve not looked back since. One of the many highlights of the course are CEM’s organised site visits. They’re great fun and particularly useful for both networking and putting the theory into practice. Having lecturers who are significant players in the conservation world was a huge bonus too.
Much of my work involves guiding our own teams and/or contractors on works to BW structures, from routine planning paperwork to being on site answering questions and advising on mortars, materials and techniques. I produce rapid heritage assessments and detailed assessments with recommendations on methods and materials of repair. I’m responsible for all contact with local authority conservation offi cers and putting in listed building consents. When things occasionally go wrong, being in close contact with conservation officers is often a great help and, in all cases so far, we’ve found a suitable remedy. I comment on a lot of planning applications and third-party works, and spend a proportion of my time providing more formal heritage training to ensure that heritage conservation is always in the minds of those planning and carrying out works.
Expanding regional responsibility has meant more travelling. However, this allows me to see some stunning sections of waterway and industrial heritage, all very at ease in their landscapes, and work on a greater variety of structures and features.
Studying for and gaining my master’s has undoubtedly proved to be the best step I’ve taken in education; you’re unlikely to earn a fortune in conservation, but it’s got to be one of the most interesting and rewarding sectors out there.
Peter
Being a qualifi ed architect, I wanted to supplement my existing skills with the specialist theory and practical skills required to deal specifically with the historic environment and so compared institutions with appropriate courses. Due to the flexibility of the distance learning syllabus, and the high regard in which the Conservation of the Historic Environment course was held within the heritage sector, CEM seemed to best meet my requirements.
Distance learning was the only realistic option available to me, as it had the huge benefit of allowing me to study when convenient, while continuing in full-time employment. This way of studying brings with it particular rewards, including the self-discipline it instills and an even greater feeling of satisfaction and sense of achievement upon completion of the course.
The assignments provided good, practical experience of the types of task you might be expected to undertake as part of your day-to-day work. For example, preparing heritage impact assessments and conservations plans, and producing heritage partnership agreements or detailed conservation specifications, have all been far easier due to the skills and knowledge I have acquired. Study visits to places you might not otherwise be able to access or experience in such depth were also invaluable. I can now take a wider and more pragmatic view of the challenges affecting our historic environment and to consequently give more concise and reasoned advice.
My employer was very supportive as they could see the benefits they would gain through the additional skills I would acquire. Completing the master’s was a condition of my gaining promotion to a managerial role and all the benefits that come with that. As a result, the knowledge and skills I acquired have enabled me to adapt and take on different roles for which I may not have previously been considered.
The qualification also meant I could become a full member ofthe Institute of Historic Building Conservation, and I believe that this has had a positive impact upon how I am perceived. I now have greater confidence when dealing with other conservation professionals, can converse with conservation authorities at a higher level and have been able to become more deeply involved in the conservation of our unique heritage assets.
Working with historic buildings requires a great deal of sensitivity, specialist knowledge and skill. Studying with CEM has given me a number of additional skills which complement those I acquired during my architectural training, and which will be of great benefit to me throughout my career. As a result, I find that I am now in a position to advise others on appropriate ways of responding to the special requirements of the historic environment, as well as being more adaptable to any changing circumstances within the fields of architecture and the built environment. In short, this course has met all of my expectations.