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10 C O N T E X T 1 7 9 : M A R C H 2 0 2 4 Periodically AMS Transactions The Ancient Monuments Society changed its name to Historic Buildings and Places in 2021, but the society will be celebrating its centenary this year. AMS Transactions (now called the Journal of Historic Buildings and Places ) has been an important part of the outreach of the society since 1953, proving authoritative in the promotion of the study of architectural history and conservation. All of its past Transactions have been digitised and the index can be downloaded as a pdf. The articles are freely available online. It is possible to search all the past volumes by keywords, enabling readers to home in on specific subjects (such as icehouses or dovecotes), or particular buildings or important figures in the history of the preservation movement. Readers of this column who are not members of Historic Buildings and Places are encouraged to explore this valuable new resource at hbap.org.uk/resources/transactions and join the society. ASCHB Transactions The ASCHB (Association for Studies in the Conservation of Historic Buildings) has similarly digitised all its past Transactions which commenced in 1973, the content of which has been covered in this column in recent years. Volumes up to and including No 40 (2018) can be accessed as pdfs. The ASCHB Transactions valuably concentrate on the conservation of specific buildings, with particular emphasis on the best practice for repairs. The Transactions are indexed but not searchable by keyword. Explore this valuable resource at hbap.org.uk/resources/transactions and join the society. SPAB Magazine In reviewing publications for Context, some frustration about the speed and efficiency of the heritage development management regime is frequently detected in reports on casework by the national amenity societies. This column does not customarily review such casework, but the latest issue of the SPAB Magazine (Winter 2023) in particular provides a reminder of the frustrations surrounding timely, appropriate and succinct advice. This is made clear regarding a proposal for 5–6 Market Place,Whitby. Without discussing the merits or otherwise of the case, the society makes clear three factors that present difficulty in providing a timely and appropriate response: a lack of sufficient information to fully understand the significance of the building; the potential impact of the proposals and the extent to which proposals would result in harm; and a lack of clear and convincing justification for such harm. These clear concerns recur frequently in other cases spread across the statutory societies and should cause pause for thought among both proponents of proposals and those in the heritage management system charged with evaluation and recommendations for decisions. None of this will be new, but the lack of analysis and interpretation highlighted by the society continues to undermine the current heritage regime. It is pleasing to note that the SPAB Magazine is rejuvenating its technical feature with an explanation and analysis of aspects of repair and materials that have not received such detailed treatment there recently. Particular note should be made of an article of no fewer than JOURNAL OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES JOURNAL OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES hbap.org.uk 2023 VOLUME 02 COVER