Heritage 2020 held its March #HeritageChat on the theme of Industrial Heritage, sustainable management and engagement. The session was led by Dr Nicola Palmer alongside @HeritageChat and @Heritage_NGOs.
Welcome to the March #HeritageChat! We’re tweeting from 13.00-14.00 on the theme #IndustrialHeritage. This month’s #HeritageChat is moderated by @NicolaPalmer19
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
I'll be moderating the next #heritagechat on Thursday 15th March on Industrial Heritage https://t.co/Ikno8eu3AW
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 8, 2018
Seven questions were used to prompt discussion:
Here are the Qs for tomorrow's #HeritageChat on #IndustrialHeritage with @NicolaPalmer19. Join us at 13.00 UK time to take part. https://t.co/Lqsmgp8XSz pic.twitter.com/jeiCrVhfYS
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 14, 2018
Below is a compilation of answers to each question. You can also look back at the conversation chronologically via Twitter: #HeritageChat.
The chat first tackled the question of younger generations’ engagement with industrial heritage:
Good afternoon! Q1 in today's #HeritageChat – How can we engage younger generations with industrial heritage?
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
AI – A supplementary question -is this a different task to engaging younger people with other types of heritage? Or just a question of focus?
— Heritage Alliance (@Heritage_NGOs) March 15, 2018
Great #DustKickers project from @IVEInnovatIVE and @CanalRiverTrust on ways to get young people involved in Yorkshire’s #IndustrialHeritage #HeritageChat A1 https://t.co/WpBxhqYYx8
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
Does the @HistoricEngland info on how to get involved with #IndustrialHeritage provide any opportunities? https://t.co/6hAydpNmjk #HeritageChat A1
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
A1 #HeritageChat for primary schools perhaps consider CPD for NQT's which engage with a venue, full day with different experts with curriculum embedded experiences, they can take back to the classroom & include parent packs
— ArchaeologyUK (@archaeologyuk) March 15, 2018
NQT's are used to project based teaching rather than one subject at a time, a venue can incorporate maths, science, english quite easily for this with innovative narrative and project plans.
— ArchaeologyUK (@archaeologyuk) March 15, 2018
A1 The European Commission supports young people bringing new life to heritage. Do we have enough focus on #IndustrialHeritage at school compared to the lives of old Kings etc.? #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Perception is certainly an issue with A1. Urban exploring is part of industrial heritage for instance. Hands experiance crucial in engagement.
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
Interesting that term #IndustrialHeritage seems to be a barrier #HeritageChat https://t.co/EBSa683M1A
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
It can be in certain circumstances (A1) but I wouldnt want to stress that.
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
The topic of UrbEx (urban exploration) was raised as an example of alternative engagement with industrial heritage. Steampunk was another example cited.
I find the idea of #UrbEx fascinating as a heritage issue as it eschews engagement through mediated tourism &celebrates decay. But this type of alternative engagement is not unique to industrial heritage. Many formal models for heritage engagement fail to excite. #Heritagechat A1
— Rob Lennox (@DrRobLennox) March 15, 2018
Hi you might be interested in my article. ‘The Value of Heritage: #Urbex and the historic environment’ in journal The Historic Environment : https://t.co/vJpqcKymUK (hope the link works!)
— Sam Stones (@SStones) March 15, 2018
there are also academic studies of the #Urbex phenomenon in France by @SarahRojon and in Russia where they call the activity 'Stalking'. I don't do it, of course.
— mark watson (@markrustbucket) March 15, 2018
Sarah's article on Urbex for @sstones an @DrRobLennox . "Friche" is an abandoned place ripe for redevelopment. I hope twitter silence since 2016 does not mean a sticky end in one of these places, a possible consequence of #urbex #heritagechat https://t.co/JcN3lfIivP
— mark watson (@markrustbucket) March 15, 2018
and this article on #urbex photography is in English @sstones @AIndustrialArch and @DrRobLennox #heritagechat https://t.co/Ku6MD9H5tF
— mark watson (@markrustbucket) March 15, 2018
the question admits that there is a distinction between "us" and younger generations. So maybe #dustkickers should remind us that they already engage through #urbex or #steampunk for example. Just don't tell them in #heritagechat that they are doing #industrialheritage!
— mark watson (@markrustbucket) March 15, 2018
GooseyGoo (not for profit) is trying to appeal to a new audience so that #IndustrialHeritage can benefit from a wider range of volunteers in the future. #heritagechat
— GooseyGoo (@GooseyGooUK) March 15, 2018
A1 In what ways are you doing this? Can you provide examples please @GooseyGoo #HeritageChat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
More accessible writing style and interactive map, featuring a 'near me' functionality. Resonsive website with an App coming soon – a fully collaborative digital project that helps groups share their knowledge online. https://t.co/NmpKkmzhku
— GooseyGoo (@GooseyGooUK) March 15, 2018
A1 There is some great potential to engage new generations with #IndustrialHeritage through #IndustrialCadets? #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Question 2 looked at approaches and responses to the loss of first-hand accounts and personal links to the industrial past.
#HeritageChat Q2 How might we take a more innovative approach to responding to the loss of first-hand accounts and personal links to the industrial past? #IndustrialHeritage
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
Not sure how #innovative this suggestion is for #IndustrialHeritage stories – but are there any good #OralHistory projects going on to be shared? #HeritageChat A2
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
A2 Some great proactive efforts by IA Recordings https://t.co/q3k6JJ32Yp #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
A2 HLF funded Hidden Voices project @NCMME ? #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Late into this: lack of first-hand is not unique to 'industrial', so strong techniques used in any realm of heritage/ history interpretation would be appropriate. Goal is raising historical consciousness by many means.
— Susan Ashley (@sltashley) March 15, 2018
A 2 Is there a role for greater use of digital here? Could people be encouraged to record their own first hand accounts for upload to a central resource?
— Heritage Alliance (@Heritage_NGOs) March 15, 2018
A2 #HeritageChat depends on people and coordination, at some local education centres, English projects are based around gathering information from previous generations, incorporate it with local community groups, prizes? or entry to venue? for school oral history project
— ArchaeologyUK (@archaeologyuk) March 15, 2018
A2 What about the sharing of skills as well as stories? #WROuthwaiteandSons #ropemaking #Hawes #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
The discussion went on to address volunteering – from recognition to training and examples of best practice. The reliance of industrial heritage sites on volunteers was much talked about. Participants shared examples of programmes & resources addressing skills and knowledge specific to industrial heritage.
Let's move on to Q3 How reliant are our industrial heritage sites on the knowledge and expertise of volunteers? #HeritageChat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
A3 – there are over 600 independent industrial heritage museums/sites run be volunteers in the UK so on that level the sector is highly dependent on volunteers
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
A3 There is a need to acknowledge our volunteers as we experience generational passing as well as loss of traditional industries @IMechE has made a good case re. #industrialstrategy & engineering skills gap #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Does the @HRA_UK have good examples of using volunteers?
— Heritage Alliance (@Heritage_NGOs) March 15, 2018
A3 #HeritageChat at many sites the volunteers are crucial. There are many 'volunteer only' sites that can only open because of them.
— ArchaeologyUK (@archaeologyuk) March 15, 2018
A3 #HeritageChat the forward plan should be how to train the next cohort of volunteers and pass on all that valuable skill and knowledge.
— ArchaeologyUK (@archaeologyuk) March 15, 2018
Any programmes already addressing this? #HeritageChat https://t.co/ZcNAMuFJeS
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
How formalised is volunteer training across the sector? #HeritageChat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Creative & Cultural Skills has some generic info on volunteering in heritage https://t.co/yzpRteNrx0 #HeritageChat A4 @CreativeChoices
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
And all the orgs on this page have guidance about getting #involved in #IndustrialHeritage https://t.co/HqoR6muAL6 #HeritageChat A4
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
A3 #HeritageChat important to consider the evolution of volunteers, many come directly from the industries they are now engaging with in heritage terms. Base level volunteer skillsets and experience are always moving.
— Adam Tyson (@AdamCTyson) March 15, 2018
Q3 yes @HeritageChat but some volunteers are highly skilled and should be prized as such in #heritagechat. Don't do this without appropriate training in #healthandsafety. Wonder if another 40 tonnes are in the offing @WanlockheadCT as happened to Father Noel in @FatherTedSpeak ? https://t.co/GQ97EkMky6
— ScotIndustrialHerit (@Scotindustria) March 15, 2018
A3 #IndustrialHeritage sites, what % of your workforce is volunteers? #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
A3 #HeritageChat has @HeritageVols looked at a break down of where volunteers are within the heritage sector?
— Heritage Alliance (@Heritage_NGOs) March 15, 2018
No, but we are keen to work with potential partners on this type of work. Is it something you'd be interested in?
— HeritageVolunteering (@HeritageVols) March 15, 2018
Yes, we'd be happy to discuss this.
— Heritage Alliance (@Heritage_NGOs) March 15, 2018
Do you want to DM your details and we'll get in touch.
— HeritageVolunteering (@HeritageVols) March 15, 2018
Here’s an older #IndustrialHeritage project which looks to have big reliance on #volunteers https://t.co/9G5gNyT0JB #HeritageChat
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
A3 There is a need to explore recognition & reward schemes for volunteers? #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
With question 4, the conversation turned to collaboration between industrial heritage sites and industrial bodies.
Linked to #knowledge transfer
Q4 Should we encourage more collaboration between industrial heritage sites and industrial bodies?— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
#HeritageChat #industrialheritage Working with @CromfordMills & @Slavelegacies to address the 'difficult history' of cotton, slavery & empire. Telling these bigger stories widens visitor appeal?
— Susanne Seymour (@SeymourSusanne) March 15, 2018
Similarly, stories of workplace disasters also appeal #darktourism #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
This looks like good eg of previous #collaboration https://t.co/mWRBiXZWSS @ImechE #HeritageChat
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
A4 #heritagechat Yes. Why not consider a "who do you think you are" style project, without x y z in Industrial Heritage your industry would not exist, your past, your now, our future?
— ArchaeologyUK (@archaeologyuk) March 15, 2018
I love that idea! #HeritageChat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Something for @AIndustrialArch to consider!
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
We need to make this happen
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
A4 How do we present ongoing industrial processes of
production alongside industries of the past? How can new technologies help us
to understand the past and how technology has changed our world? We neede industry bodies on board? #heritagechat— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
What are the likely impacts of Brownfield Registers for unidentified industrial heritage?
#IndustrialHeritage is often seen as niche & is under-valued? Q5 What
are the likely impacts of Brownfield Registers for unidentified industrial
heritage? #HeritageChat— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
CIfA have concerns that regulations underpinning Brownfield Registers do not allow for sufficient investigation of archaeology on brownfield sites prior to the granting of permission. You can find our briefing on the issue here: https://t.co/kVSBl8YJoS #heritagechat A5 https://t.co/g9TUgJjsRo
— CIfA (@InstituteArch) March 15, 2018
A5 inevitably more upstanding sites will be demolished and below ground industrial sites lost. BUT this is also an opportunity for research, engagement & promoting conservation and reuse.
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
A5 I would also note that industrial heritage at its widest includes more than just production, transport & consumption sites. Should include full impact of industrialisation from workers' housing & institutes to chapels & town halls.
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
The social value of #IndustrialHeritage perhaps requires more emphasis to policymakers? #heritagechat https://t.co/TdF16q0PlB
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Q5 #heritagechat this ice factory would fit any brownfield register but if it were swept away would deprive Grimsby of much attention and European support (oh, the irony!) that may be to its long term benefit @GreatGIFT1 https://t.co/fJ8spr4veF
— mark watson (@markrustbucket) March 15, 2018
Q5 and @GreatGIFT1 certainly is a challenging site, and that gives it quite a lot of its appeal. A challenge is what makes #industrialheritage more interesting than safe old heritage to #heritagechat @WorldMonuments and @europanostra pic.twitter.com/BKcqPvZ8TX
— mark watson (@markrustbucket) March 15, 2018
The foundations for the perfect #parkour 'playground' (subject to health & safety vetting)? #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
I personally prefer rail and bar parks 🙂 However it it were to be perfect it would have to include so much haha. Rails though 😉
— Thomas Nicolai Thorsen (@ConsultThorsen) March 16, 2018
A5 Is our #IndustrialHeritage endangered & can World Heritage designation offer protection? I'm thiking of #BlaenavonIronworks #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
A5 – a third of the UK's WHS are industrial. Reflects central importance of industrialisation in Britain. But Liverpool WHS in danger from redevelopment – issue with urban sites?
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
The site only had as much 'value' as community says it has. Work on finding out if it is valued locally as essential to identity. Otherwise top down designation seems hollow.
— Susan Ashley (@sltashley) March 15, 2018
A5 So should we be acknowledging value of brownfield sites in today's society – not just for housing? #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
How could we do this best? #HeritageChat https://t.co/QWkf4pwvCL
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
Listening to younger generations & appreciating shifts in values? #HeritageChat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
The benefits and costs of gaining Industrial World Heritage status were debated:
#HeritageChat Q6 What are the benefits and costs of gaining Industrial World Heritage status?
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
A6 – the mayor of Liverpool City is on record as saying WHS is barrier to economic develompent
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
Perhaps @WorldHeritageUK has some views on the balance to be struck #HeritageChat
— Heritage Alliance (@Heritage_NGOs) March 15, 2018
How secure is protected status? In
July 2017, UNESCO warned that Liverpool Maritime Mercantile city's status as a
World Heritage Site was at risk of being rescinded in light of planning and
development proposals #heritagechat— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
I am afraid there is a determination to make an example, unnecessarily creating a stand off, development vs heritage, as also in Dresden, based primarily on artist's impressions of what is not built. Too much focus on setting, and not on IA as OUV via HUL (acronyms loved at WHC)
— mark watson (@markrustbucket) March 15, 2018
True, though the city did publish an Action Plan in Februay charting path to save the WHS. Whether UNESCO believe its enough or even deliverable we will have to see.
— AIA (@AIndustrialArch) March 15, 2018
Anyone got a view on this for today’s #HeritageChat on #IndustrialHeritage? https://t.co/7j8XaeSJEe
— Historic Environment Forum (@HistEnvForum) March 15, 2018
A6 Who are the benefits for? @IronbridgeInst @DVMillsWHS #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Finally, conversation turned to the opportunities arising from the designation of 2018 as European Year of Cultural Heritage, and the European Route of Industrial Heritage, for the UK industrial heritage sector at large.
Already our last @ for today’s #HeritageChat What are the opportunities arising from the designation of 2018 as European Year of Cultural Heritage and the European Route of Industrial Heritage for the UK industrial heritage sector at large?
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
A bit late but I am thinking of links across Europe eg Armstrong Mitchell Crane in @ufficioarsenale in Venice and Armstrong onTyneside #HeritageChat pic.twitter.com/QF0ZaV2Wt3
— Venice in Peril Fund (@VeniceinPeril) March 15, 2018
and there is a Fairbairn crane next door to this one in Venice: what a combination! A sub group of @EFAITH2015 is working on cranes, some of which are in Antwerp. Port cities unite! #HeritageChat
— IndustrialHeritage UK (@TICCIHBrit) March 15, 2018
A7. A joint European approach to industrial heritage has been lacking?#heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
A7 #heritagechat, we have some inspirational Industrial Heritage people in the UK, has the sector identified countries to engage with a joint approach?
— ArchaeologyUK (@archaeologyuk) March 15, 2018
A7 There is some great work documented in Spain in particular #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
yes, #HeritageChat so come to the international meeting to discuss the #TICCIH on #waterheritage in Catalonia https://t.co/y7WyfG2Y77 next month
— IndustrialHeritage UK (@TICCIHBrit) March 15, 2018
Another excellent exemplar for #heritagechat in Spain, actually #Catalunya, this multiple site museum. Its the third Saturday of the month and the Museum of the Sedó Cotton Mill colony opens its doors to its turbine. Now sit in it! https://t.co/b5e6Gg5Ngt
— IndustrialHeritage UK (@TICCIHBrit) March 15, 2018
we can learn a lot from other countries, notably Austrian, German and French approaches to cultural routes such as @ERIH_Board repeated @ERIHYorkshire @ERIHUK
— IndustrialHeritage UK (@TICCIHBrit) March 15, 2018
A7 How do the EC priorities (engagement, sustainability, protection, innovation) reflect our discussions today? #heritagechat
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Opportunity to #collaborate with European Federation of Associations of Industrial and Technical Heritage @EFAITH2015 ? #HeritageChat A7 #IndustrialHeritage
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
The @AIndustrialArch and @ERIH_Board have already taken up this opportunity
— Dr Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_tea) March 15, 2018
The discussion was wrapped up following a productive session, full of shared examples and potential for future collaborations:
The hour’s gone so quickly! Thank you everyone for taking part in our #IndustrialHeritage #HeritageChat We’ll be creating a record afterwards and publishing it on https://t.co/wpYTDAQJWm
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
Particular thanks to @NicolaPalmer19 for moderating today’s chat and for everyone to putting forward great Qs for discussion #HeritageChat
— Heritage Chat (@HeritageChat) March 15, 2018
Thanks to everyone who has participated in today's #HeritageChat !
— Dr Nicola Palmer (@NicolaPalmer19) March 15, 2018
Many thanks to all for taking part! The next #HeritageChat will be on 19 April, 13.00-14.00, on the theme of Digital. We hope to build on the recent Heritage2020 digital workshop and the conversation started by the #CultureIsDigital project.
If you’d like to help run the next #HeritageChat, please get in touch!
#HeritageChat is always on the third Thursday of every month, 1pm-2pm UK time. The theme is usually agreed one month ahead of time. More information here.
