Educational heritage fairs

As Dorset Architectural Heritage Week is funded by each of Dorset’s local authorities, all of the activities on offer during the week remain free of charge. In 2001, ICM generously pledged to donate £5,000 annually to the Trust over a period of five years to help fund additional initiatives. Dr Alistair Somerville Ford, ICM Joint Chairman and Head of ICM Communications Group, believes Dorset Architectural Heritage Week is hugely important to the local area. He said: “It is essential that we preserve and promote our historic buildings and other cultural assets for this and future generations. I very much hope that our donations will help ensure that Heritage Week is enjoyed by visitors for many more years to come.” Alan is keen to point out that ICM’s involvement has enabled EDHT to hold additional activities, particularly in terms of education, that would not previously have been possible. He said: “We’re hugely grateful for Alistair’s support which has been very generous. He has always been keen to promote the educational aspect of the event and played a significant part in the three heritage fairs we organised in recent years.”

The heritage fairs were arranged to showcase the skills of Dorset-based craftsmen, covering a diverse range of industries including thatching and stone masonry through to carpentry and ironmongery. The events proved extremely popular with visitors keen to gain an insight into these ancient industries still being used today. “Hundreds of visitors flocked to the events which were held during Heritage Week in various locations including Kingston Lacey and Corfe Castle,” Alan added.

ICM’s generous funding has also enabled EDHT to revamp its IT systems, particularly the software used for allocating tickets. Alan explained: “Thanks to Alistair we now have a sophisticated administration system. This has enabled us to set up databases as well as create a computerised ballot system so that tickets for events during Heritage Week can be allocated more fairly. It is set up to ensure that virtually everyone who applies is given a ticket to at least one site or event.”

EDHT is so grateful for Alistair’s support that in March 2007 the Trust presented him with an award to mark his five years’ continuous service to Heritage Week. Alistair was given the commemorative plaque during a lunch event organised by the Dorset Conservation and Design Officers Group. Commenting on being honoured with the award, he said: “I am extremely proud and grateful to East Dorset Heritage Trust for giving me this award. I shall certainly be displaying it on my wall for all to see for many years to come!”

Initiatives for the future

The Trust is hoping to launch an educational website in the future which will act as a resource for school children. Alan envisages that the site will feature a full list of architecturally-diverse properties in Dorset, accompanied with imagery and descriptive text. Additional features will include a timeline, depictions of clothing worn in the past and overviews on materials used in the construction of buildings. Alan is even exploring the possibility of including 3-D technology on the site so that site users could, for example, access simulated footage of the way a castle would have looked when it was operational. Alan explained: “We’re currently conducting a feasibility study to ascertain how the site could work and the technology available to use to make it a reality.”

Another future initiative Alan is keen for the Trust to become involved in is a Dorset version of BBC2 television programme Restoration. Each episode of the show, which is hosted by Griff Rhys Jones, focuses on a particular region in the UK and features three historical buildings requiring restoration. Viewers vote for the building they feel should be restored and then each of the most popular structures from each area is put through to a national final. The proceeds of the telephone vote are then used to pay for the restoration of the eventual winner. The fund is also boosted by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Commission. Alan enthused: “I’d love to see structures like Christchurch’s castle walls, Highcliffe Castle and Bournemouth’s Shelley Park featured in the series.”

It is clear that Dorset Architectural Heritage Week has a great future and is set to get bigger and better every year. With an architectural history dating right back to the Viking and Saxon era, Dorset offers visitors the opportunity to explore a plethora of buildings, private homes, castles and churches which can only inspire the imagination. The county is fortunate to have a Trust dedicated to caring for the local environment which can open up properties free of charge, and buildings normally kept under lock and key, as well as to ensure that sites are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. The next event will be held 13-21 September 2008 - make sure you register for tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Show your support

EDHT is always looking for new properties to include in its programme during Architectural Heritage Week, so if you work in or own premises you think would be of interest to the public, the Trust would love to hear from you. Alan Wilson, Director of East Dorset Heritage Trust and Events Manager for Dorset Architectural Heritage Week can be contacted by telephone on: 01202 888992 or by emailing: dahw@edht.org.uk. Up-to-date information on Heritage Week can also be accessed online at http://www.edht.org.uk/

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1. Introduction
2. A man’s home is his castle
3. Educational heritage fairs
4. Photo Gallery
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