1st Dec, 2025
This year's lecture will be given by the Society's new President, Prof Diarmaid MacCulloch on Monday 1 December at St James-the-Less, London SW1V 2PS. He will be talking about 'Pevsner and me', based around his own experiences in visiting churches with Pevsner's idiosyncratic commentaries.
"; fcontent[1]="2nd Dec, 2025
Although his fame today rests largely on his distinguished Aesthetic Movement furniture and friendships with Oscar Wilde and J.M. Whistler, throughout his life E.W. Godwin 183386 styled himself 'architect' above and before anything else. Although the legacy of his buildings is relatively small, his architectural design reached unmatched heights of creativity and distinctiveness, whether in his early years as a leading exponent of Ruskinian Gothic at Northampton Town Hall or in his radical approach to domestic design in his later artists' studio houses in Chelsea.
"; fcontent[2]="3rd Dec, 2025
Learn about how Peter James followed his dream of reconstructing a windmill from a mill base. From the ruins of Ockley mill base, the story of the rebuild is told in a number of well-defined chapters. Starting with the dream, setting out timelines and objectives, and tacking the necessary planning permissions, are detailed together with the trial and tribulations of such.As the story is told, the immense size of the project becomes clear, together with the obstacles to overcome. Much emphasis is given on the meticulous research carried out to achieve as authentic a rebuild as possible. Profusely illustrated throughout with pictures as well as detailed drawings.The story concludes with what it is like to live in a windmill, future work, and finally lessons learned for others to follow.
"; fcontent[3]="4th Dec, 2025
Book your place on our free event the Engine Shed guide for fire safety management in traditional buildings, for dutyholders, designers and others with a legal responsibility for fire safety.Launching the new HES publication, Short Guide 14 Fire Safety Management in Traditional Buildings for Dutyholders, this event will include presentations from the authors and contributors of the Guide, including Senior Technical Officer Lila Angelaka.You will also hear from leading experts in the sector, including our own HES Health and Safety team who deal with managing fire risk in our Estates.
"; fcontent[4]="8th Dec, 2025
Edinburgh is renowned for its dramatic stone architecture. What are the sources and types of building stone Why and how does the stone decay and should the stone be conserved or replaced Luis Albornoz-Parra of the British Geological Survey will bring some samples for identification and will make suggestions as to where in the city you might see them.
"; fcontent[5]="9th Dec, 2025
Union Chain Bridge, opened in 1820, is the world's oldest vehicular suspension bridge. By the 2010s, extensive deterioration necessitated major renewal of the full structure to provide a 120-year design life. Completed in 2023, Northumberland County Council led a comprehensive scheme involving full dismantling, detailed inspection and targeted replacement or refurbishment of chain components, utilising innovative access methods to avoid in-river works. Works included new anchorages, replacement high-yield steel hangers, a redesigned timber deck, parapet refurbishment, masonry restoration and removal of the 1903 wire rope system. The scheme provides valuable lessons on methodology, consultant involvement and long-term maintenance planning. This is the second of our two webinars on this topic.
"; fcontent[6]="9th Dec, 2025
Some surveyors love it, but many surveyors don't do much, if any, communication with the client. This CPD session will explain why good communication skills are an essential part of your business and can lead to considerable benefits not least reducing the potential risk of a complaint. Larger firms can be particularly challenging in facilitating communication between the surveyor and the client.
"; fcontent[7]="10th Dec, 2025
Our 'Old House to Eco-house' course programmes are aimed at those eager to gain the specific expertise required to design and implement sensitive retrofit strategies appropriate to older buildings. We offer the three standalone courses face-to-face on our RAU campus at Swindon, each over one day. The course on this date is about installing renewables in historic buildings.
"; fcontent[8]="11th Dec, 2025
There are many different types of roofing materials, and variations within those types. This CPD will be useful for when doing a building survey or maintenance inspection on any structure. We will look at thatch, slate, clay tiles and stone tiles as well as more modern options.
"; fcontent[9]="16th Dec, 2025
Your survey report is the output of your work. You might be the very best surveyor in your area but you will compromise your reputation if your reports are not as good as they could be. Report writing is a skill that can be refined and perfected. It shouldn't be taken for granted. A poor report won't just miss the opportunity to help and impress a client, but it could also place you at risk of a complaint.This CPD session is an essential update for every surveyor, regardless of experience.
"; fcontent[10]="18th Dec, 2025
This CPD will be useful for when doing a building survey or maintenance inspection on any structure that is built from or includes brick. This could be, for example, houses or industrial buildings, garden walls or infill panels in a historic timber-frame.
"; fcontent[11]="13th Jan, 2026
Dorset is not the first county that one would turn to in the general history of Victorian and Edwardian Architecture. This talk reveals the surprising delights of the period, a few somewhat familiar, others less so.Through writing two books on Dorset country houses, and revising the 1972 volume in the Buildings of England series the new edition published in 2018, Michael Hill has visited and assessed all of the key buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian period in the county. Major architects, such as J.L. Pearson, R. Norman Shaw, and A.W.N. Pugin are represented together with more locally-based practitioners. We will meet George Rackstrow Crickmay and his son, John Hicks, and that occasional architect, Thomas Hardy. And that much-derided architect, Thomas Henry Wyatt, together with his almost equally under-appreciated, sometime partner, David Brandon, are also reassessed.
"; fcontent[12]="13th Jan, 2026
For organisations based in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Glasgow, or Neath Port Talbot.This workshop is designed for community organisations who work with, or from, a historic building. As well as connecting you with others who share your experiences, it will provide an accessible introduction to key topics includingWhy traditional buildings matter and how they workAssessing the condition of your buildingUnderstanding pathways to ownershipWorking with building professionals, your local authority, and moreWith guest speaker Jane Robertson from Firth Heritage.
"; fcontent[13]="14th Jan, 2026
These 'Old House to Eco-house' course programmes are aimed at those eager to gain the specific expertise required to design and implement sensitive retrofit strategies appropriate to older buildings. The RAU offer the three standalone courses face-to-face on campus at Swindon, each over one day. The course on this date is about retrofitting historic windows.
"; fcontent[14]="20th Jan, 2026
Join HBP on Zoom to hear about some of their most recent ecclesiastical casework and learn how the Society has supported the adaptation of places of worship in our role as a statutory consultee.Our Ecclesiastical Caseworker, Matthew Saunders, will present details of recent cases he has been working on, highlighting the practical and sensitive approaches taken to ensure the long-term care of these historic buildings.
"; fcontent[15]="20th Jan, 2026
An opportunity for organisations and individuals working with or interested in mill buildings to come together, network and discuss.Join HN for a talk by Owen Bushell about the development of the social enterprise taking custodianship of the category A listed Bucket Mill in Finzean, Aberdeenshire.Owen will discuss some of the challenges the organisation faces in getting the machinery working again, developing skills training, and working towards producing historic turned buckets once again.Health Safety considerations, space constraints and conservation nature, object and building conundrums will also be touched upon as they relate to this unique mill.
"; fcontent[16]="21st Jan, 2026
This is a rare and privileged opportunity to see the colourful and atmospheric candlelit interiors of this house in Clapham along with a collection of 18th- and 19th-century Arts and Crafts and contemporary furniture, metalwork and other objects.
"; fcontent[17]="22nd Jan, 2026
Explore 19th-century UK organ design with Chris Bragg of Sowne of Organe. This lecture examines the Oxford Movement's influence, evolving aesthetics, decorated pipes and shifting liturgical demands. Explore how these changes have shaped organ building and continue to influence modern conservation efforts, striking a balance between historical integrity and contemporary performance and architectural contexts.
"; fcontent[18]="30-31 Jan, 2026
Meet the biggest collection of listed building suppliers and experts under one roof.If you are maintaining, altering or renovating your listed property or even looking to buy one The Listed Property Show is not to be missedIncluding the Energy Efficiency Feature focusing on the challenges and solutions of sensitively retrofitting your listed property.
"; fcontent[19]="30th Jan, 2026
Owning a listed building is a privilege but it also comes with responsibilities. If you're considering alterations, extensions, or repairs, understanding the Listed Building Consent process is essential. This one-day course has been designed specifically for owners of listed buildings who are preparing to make an application or who simply want to be better informed.Through expert guidance, real-life examples, and interactive discussion, you'll gain the confidence to navigate the consent process, avoid common pitfalls, and make well-informed decisions about your historic property.
"; fcontent[20]="9th Feb, 2026
Karen Latimer OBE is a trustee of Hearth, the largest and most experienced building preservation trust in Northern Ireland. It has consistently carried out projects that were groundbreaking or challenging and has restored over a hundred buildings at risk of all types for a range of uses, mainly for social housing and community use. Are there lessons to be learnt for Scotland
"; fcontent[21]="11-12 Feb, 2026
This accredited course is a must-have for anyone working in construction or heritage construction. It combines theory with hands-on learning to give you the essential knowledge and practical skills needed before working on historic buildings.Led by expert tutors with years of real-world experience, the training brings the subject to life through case studies and live demonstrationshelping you put your learning straight into context.Completing this course not only strengthens your CPD portfolio but also helps you stand out when tendering for heritage projects, opening doors to new opportunities and career growth.
"; fcontent[22]="12th Feb, 2026
This course is aimed at individuals working on, managing, or curating archaeological field investigations. Participants will explore how the investigation of soils, sediments, and other geological materials can provide invaluable insights into past human environments, settlement patterns, and cultural landscapes. The course will be delivered by Professor Keith Wilkinson of the University of Winchester's commercial arm, ARCA.
"; fcontent[23]="12th Feb, 2026
Join us as we explore the archives of Lambeth Palace and the Church of England to discover the range of documents and images relating to the history of churches, housing, schools and other public spaces.Founded in 1610 by the will of Archbishop Bancroft, its collections have been freely available for research ever since, making it one of the oldest public libraries in England. Lambeth Palace Library holds collections of outstanding national and international importance, with manuscripts, books and archives dating from the 9th century to the present day.
"; fcontent[24]="19th Feb, 2026
The Central Criminal Courts, better known as the Old Bailey, was designed by Edward William Mountford and opened in 1907. Architecturally, the building is a masterpiece of the Edwardian Baroque, a grandiloquent style approximating to the reign of Edward VII but actually emerging before the end of the 19th century. We will see the magnificent Great Hall, the splendid but intimidating Court No.1 and the subterranean cells below.Our guide Robert Woolf, will provide information on the judiciary system and how the Old Bailey operates, as well as on the architecture and decoration.
"; fcontent[25]="24th Feb, 2026
Join HBP for an online talk on Quaker Meeting Houses with Chris Skidmore. This talk will explore the distinctive architectural features of Quaker meeting houses and their evolution over more than four centuries.
"; fcontent[26]="26th Feb, 2026
This morning lecture will provide an in-depth introduction to the history of timber-framed buildings. The first talk will explore the history of timber-framed buildings and the technological, economic and social changes that can occur as a result of the varying phases of this typology. In the second talk you will learn how to 'read' a timber-framed house by recognising their essential features, analysing and dating them. The course will be provided by Tim Howson, Conservation Officer for Maldon District Council and member of the Essex Historic Buildings Group.
"; fcontent[27]="3rd Mar, 2026
Buildings are worth saving because they are great storytellers, but teasing out those tales can unexpectedly become an Odyssey in itself. Join Robin Hughes of Hallamshire Historic Buildings on his quest as he visits a pub with no beer, hears heavenly voices in a churchyard, seeks missionaries and moneymen in Mayfield and spins a yarn about a cotton mill in Kelham.
"; fcontent[28]="11th Mar, 2026
This course is aimed at Historic Environment Professionals who wish to understand more about the public inquiry process and producing a proof of evidence. The first session will provide an overview of the public inquiry process from an appeal being made through to giving evidence at the inquiry. The second session will look at the different documents forming part of the inquiry which the expert witness will be expected to complete or contribute to. We will also discuss the timeframes these documents are typically expected and tips for how to structure them.
"; fcontent[29]="12th Mar, 2026
Join HBP and the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre for a fascinating discussion about the future of the former Merthyr Tydfil Synagogue a beautiful listed Victorian building and the only remaining purpose-built synagogue in Wales.
"; fcontent[30]="17th Mar, 2026
Discover the rich history and remarkable architecture of this medieval treasure, founded in 1089 in the Romanesque style and transformed in the 1300s under Edward III into the Perpendicular style. Highlights include the world-famous Cloister and the spectacular stained glass Great East Window in the Quire.Well also descend to the Crypt to explore the passages and side chapels used by monks nearly 900 years ago.A special feature of the visit is a behind-the-scenes tour of the Stonemasons Workshop, where traditional heritage crafts are demonstrated and the team shares insights into ongoing restoration projects.
"; fcontent[31]="19th Mar, 2026
This day course is aimed at anybody interested in or involved with timber repairs. The first talk will cover identification and repair methods, both modern and historic. The process of repairs and risk mitigation will also be discussed with reference to real life case studies. The second session will allow students the opportunity to see examples of timbers and the tools best suited to repair them up close. There will also be a tour of the Grade I-listed, thirteenth-century timber-framed barns on site at Cressing Temple. The course will be delivered by Rick Lewis of Traditional Oak Carpentry.
"; fcontent[32]="25-26 Mar, 2026
Whether you're looking to expand your expertise with traditional lime materials, or seeking to deliver quality repairs on heritage buildings, this immersive two-day course at the Tywi Centre will give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to do the job right.Through expert-led demonstrations and plenty of hands-on practice, youll learn how to prepare, mix and apply lime plasters, renders and mortars across a variety of surfaces .
"; fcontent[33]="22nd Apr, 2026
Owning a listed building is a privilege but it also comes with responsibilities. If you're considering alterations, extensions, or repairs, understanding the Listed Building Consent process is essential. This one-day course has been designed specifically for owners of listed buildings who are preparing to make an application or who simply want to be better informed. Through expert guidance, real-life examples, and interactive discussion, you'll gain the confidence to navigate the consent process, avoid common pitfalls, and make well-informed decisions about your historic property.
"; fcontent[34]="23rd Apr, 2026
This half-day course will provide an overview of lithics in archaeology, and the methods and approaches to their identification and analysis. It will explore the key attributes of worked flint, changing technologies used to knap flint and lithics' context within archaeological practice. The course will also cover typologies and will showcase some local sites and examples within Essex to provide insight to what is typically found in this area. The course will be led by Adam Wightman, Fieldwork Manager of the Colchester Archaeological Trust,
"; fcontent[35]="12-14 May, 2026
Hosted at our Emergency Planning Training Centre, the 3-day Salvage and Disaster Recovery course provides delegates the opportunity to put theory into practice so they are better equipped if they have to deal with a real emergency. Anyone who is expected to take charge of an emergency situation, or participate in the salvage and protection of artefacts is given the opportunity to practice salvage skills in realistic incident conditions and ultimately use an emergency plan effectively.
"; fcontent[36]="1st Jun, 2026
If you wish to train in the fields of architecture and traditional crafts, T.R.A. encourage you to apply for their 2026 schools or to explore the many summer schools offered by the INTBAU network Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Australia, Mexico, Finland, Sweden, etc.
"; fcontent[37]="7-9 Jul, 2026
Hosted at our Emergency Planning Training Centre, the 3-day Salvage and Disaster Recovery course provides delegates the opportunity to put theory into practice so they are better equipped if they have to deal with a real emergency. Anyone who is expected to take charge of an emergency situation, or participate in the salvage and protection of artefacts is given the opportunity to practice salvage skills in realistic incident conditions and ultimately use an emergency plan effectively.
"; fcontent[38]="27th Sep, 2026
Join hundreds of community heritage leaders in Belfast and Armagh for three days of networking, discussion, learning, exploration. More info nearer the time.
"; fcontent[39]="13-15 Oct, 2026
Hosted at our Emergency Planning Training Centre, the 3-day Salvage and Disaster Recovery course provides delegates the opportunity to put theory into practice so they are better equipped if they have to deal with a real emergency. Anyone who is expected to take charge of an emergency situation, or participate in the salvage and protection of artefacts is given the opportunity to practice salvage skills in realistic incident conditions and ultimately use an emergency plan effectively.
"; fcontent[40]="1st Nov, 2026
Join the SPAB Dorset Group for a special foray into Devon to visit to Stedcombe House, Axmouth. Guided by owners Paul and Sybella Zisman, this is a chance to learn about their work on this Grade I listed 17th-century house and its Grade II listed Victorian lodge.The owners are embarking on a programme of which will upgrade the services to the building, with sustainability and green energy green energy very much at the fore of their thinking. This naturally has repercussions for the whole building. They also have plans for rejuvenaton of the grounds. Works to the Lodge are underway and we will be able to view the outside.
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