and implementing software for the compilation of the current review of lists intended to bring the older lists up to the standard of more recent survey work. About one-fifth to one-quarter of building records are due to be reviewed in this way by the end of the year. The Programme is a Clipper compiled version of DBase and is in use by fieldworkers and inspectors at English Heritage headquarters. Clipper was chosen because of the requirement to input large amounts of descriptive text.

“CORE” MINIMUM DATA

The List Review software is an interim system designed to handle the flow of data from fieldworker to Fortress House and is currently only supplied for that specific purpose. The data include those required for the form of the statutory list, mainly location, status and building description, together with the minimum level of indexing of data compatible with the resources available for list review, ie building type, period, notable artists/architects etc and roof and wall material.

Four-fifths of listed building records will not be reviewed and the omissions and inconsistencies in some of the existing lists as they have changed over time are well known. For that reason, a “core” of data

Over the years many

of the existing records of English Heritage (and its predecessors) such as

those of scheduled

monuments have literally been wearing out through

use. This is not

altogether surprising

required to identify a building has been incorporated at the heart of the list review system and is also included in the Clipper/ DBase system for buildings at risk described by Vanessa Brand. This core is likely to be similar to that adopted in any national system since many of the records inherited are not complete enough to deal with the full range of index fields often included in buildings recording system.

DATA STANDARDS

The consistency of data between the various record systems at local and national level dealing with monuments and buildings is important, particularly

relating to basic information on types of building or monument and period as well as addresses and National Grid references. This is an area where English Heritage intends to work closely with RCHME in support for its new role as the lead in liaison with county Sites and Monuments Records. Agreement has been reached between both of the national bodies and the Association of County Archaeological Officers on a data transfer standard for exchanges of monument data between them.

More work needs to be carried out in the historic buildings arena, but English Heritage intends to collaborate with RCHME on a draft standard for consultation with local authorities and others and this is due to be issued during 1990.

An additional area where standards are essential is vocabulary control. The joint RCHME/English Heritage thesaurus of architectural terms is one contribution towards discussion and it is hoped to follow it shortly with a companion thesaurus for archaeology.

Consideration of national data standards is still at a very early stage and there is now a need for continuing discussion and consultation in the light of experience.

Nigel Clubb is Head of the Records Office at English Heritage.