planning authorities, to specify it or advise on its use.

The Society has not been alone in its efforts to revive traditional materials and repair methods, and several local authorities such as Essex County Council run an impressive list of training days on subjects like thatch and timber repair. These are admirable and deserve every encouragement.

But however much a good Conservation Officer can coax out skills that may be in embryo, itis not true that anyone can simply pick up the ability to do work of the highest quality. Many skills can only be achieved after a lifetime’s experience, which is why many existing craftsmen are highly dubious about the title ‘Master craftsman’ being developed as a qualification for new higher level courses.

In spite of the terrible savaging the building industry has suffered recently, and in spite of the relentless downward pressure on standards caused by uncontrolled competitive tendering, there does at last seem to be a new awareness of the importance of craftsmanship The founding of the Heritage Contractors Group (see page 17), made up of the principal specialist historic building contractors, is a step towards maintaining quality. At the same time there are new NVQ qualifications emerging, matched by a growth of courses claiming to offer conservation in some form.

Sadlyit is not clear that those running some of these courses understand what conservation is, believing it to be no more than teaching tuck pointing or some other special skill. Through the efforts of William Morris and his friends, the Arts and Crafts movement helped reinforce the role of craftsman as artist and not merely the skilled imitator. The SPAB Manifesto speaks out against the wasted effort of feeble and lifeless forgery. Much of the best Victorian ‘restoration’ was technically highly accomplished but uninspired.

For the conventionally trained craftsmen, historic buildings work can fly in the face of all that he or she has been taught about the ‘best’ practice. To make something new may seem better than to repair it; to straighten up an uneven roof may seem preferable to leaving it distorted; to renew a worn but sound piece of stone may seem better than ignoring it.

What is essential is that craft training inculcates an understanding of philosophy to enable the craftsman to make his of her judgement about the approach to adopt in a particular case based on much wider issues than simply the textbook answer. In an ideal world

we believe thatacraftsman’s skill should depend on thorough training, proper experience, an understanding of philosophy, a love of old buildings and the work of past craftsmen, an appreciation of beauty, pride in workmanship, an awareness of other crafts, and artistic sense. Morris would of course have added freedom from industrial society to this list.

Ten years ago the Society helped set up the William Morris Craft Fellowship as an advanced training for outstanding young craftsmen and craftswomen. This is a six month training programme, based on the SPAB’s 66 year old Scholarship scheme, during which the Fellows travel the country studying on- site repair methods, the production of materials, craft techniques and so on.

Its aim is to help craftsmen and craftswomen widen their knowledge and understanding of their own craft and that of others to prepare for them for supervisory positions in historic building projects and develop their own skill. It is run by a Committee chaired by SirPatrick Cormack MP and is funded entirely by benefactors. We are convinced that as the pool of former Fellows continues to grow there will be a steady raising of standards and awareness throughout the industry. More importantly we hope it wifi raise the status of craftsmen to the point where their real skill is valued and where the building owner is happy to pay for the quality they will get.

Philip yenning is Secretary of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Miranda Mason, William Morris Craft Fellow, applying a poultice.

Ockley Icehouse, Surrey. Fellows and Scholars (architects & surveyors) have rescued it and have been repairing it jointly.

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