RESCUE is extremely concerned to learn of the decision by Manchester University to close the Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit (GMAU), as detailed in the statement below. The Unit plays a central and critical role in providing advice to local planning authorities and is responsible for maintaining the Historic Environment Record for Greater Manchester. These roles are fundamental to any system of heritage protection and the decision by the University authorities can only be judged to be irresponsible, coming as it…

Time is fast running out to save historic clipper ship The City of Adelaide from deconstruction. The Scottish Government’s ‘preferred bidder, Australian group, Clipper Ship City of Adelaide Limited (CSCoAL), is seemingly unable to demonstrate that it can provide the ship with a sustainable future, but  HS and the SMM appear to be giving every assistance to CSCoAL to remove the ship by a deadline in March 2012. It seems incredible that this historic ship, of recognised national and international historic…

FAME (The Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers), the SMA (Society of Museum Archaeologists) and ALGAO (Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers) have recently released a statement of intent, concerning the ongoing and rapidly escalating crisis in the deposition of and access to archaeological archives. RESCUE has been aware of this problem for many years and has consistently sought to draw attention to it by highlighting specific cases and by raising the issue with central government. Our full response can be read…

RESCUE believes that the current planning system is confusing, cumbersome and in places, contradictory. In principle, we welcome the Government’s stated intention to simplify the system and to make it more accessible to both developers and the general public alike. However, RESCUE does not believe that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF), as drafted, provides a suitable alternative. In redrafting and slimming down the existing documentation, the Government has created a proposed planning system which offers very little regulation to…

RESCUE has learned that Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council is planning to axe the posts of Borough Archaeologist and the HER Officer. This will leave the Borough without any provision for archaeological monitoring of planning applications and no Sites and Monuments Record. Archaeology is, it seems, considered a ‘luxury’. Details can be found on the Council website Please take time to e-mail the Council members responsible with your arguments for the retention of the two posts and if you have friends,…

“Former Conservative minister Michael Portillo is to chair a scheme to help arts and heritage organisations build long-term funding. A new £55m Endowment Fund will award public grants to match funds raised from private donations. The fund is being set up with money from the Lottery and the Arts Council, as part of a wider government scheme to encourage philanthropy.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14009139 RESCUE says:  While we welcome new funding for the arts and cutural sectors, the question that must be asked is how…

RESCUE was extremely concerned to read the comments recently made by Cllr. Alan Melton, the Leader of Fenland District Council. In a speech on the 21st June at the 4th Annual Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard/Fenland Council Building and Design Awards Final, Cllr Melton apparently sought to call time on the requirement for archaeological investagation at the pre-application stage of the planning process, and what he called the “stupid” practice of archaeological investigation of a site following evaluation. Archaeology, he stated, will…

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recently issued a response to the conclusions and recommendations of a Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s report on funding of the arts and heritage. They stated that “the DCMS remains wholly committed to the arts and heritage, especially during dificult economic circumstances”. www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Govtreponse_ArtsHeritagefunding-CM8071.pdf However, in response to the committee’s comment that: We are concerned that the heritage sector has already suffered disproportionately and is ill placed to sustain further reductions in funding. We also note…

The Museums Association website recently reported that the City Council plans to tender for an external commercial company to run a number of it’s Museums. “Southampton City Council has put the management of its City Art Gallery, Tudor House Museum, and the new Sea City Museum, due to open in 2012, out to tender.” www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/10052011-private-firms-bid-for-contract-to-run-southamptons-museums Rescue Says: Both the Sea City project and Tudor House restoration are HLF funded and one of the terms of the HLF’s contribution, is that…

The RESCUE Annual General meeting for 2010 will take place on Saturday 2 April 2011 at 1:00 pm at the Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking Surrey GU21 6ND. There are vacancies for ordinary Council Members, and if you are interested in joining RESCUE Council contact the Membership Secretary or any of the Council members before 12th March to put forward a nomination. The AGM will be followed by an Open Forum for members to discuss with the Council…