EDITORIAL
VIEW FROM THE CHAIR
View from the Chair
Peter
Drummond
National Chairman,
AHSS
t would, perhaps, have been
appropriate for my final ‘view from
the chair’ to have opened with a
quote from Ruskin, Morris, Lorimer,
or one of the other names so
familiar to us all. Or perhaps passing
reference to the compelling preamble in
NPPG18 regarding the importance of
architecture generally, and built heritage in
particular, as a cornerstone of our
environment.
Instead I find myself reminded of the
observation by Vincent Scully, Professor of
Art in Architecture at Yale University, that
“Architecture is a continuing dialogue
between generations which creates an
environment across time.”
Few of us would argue with the basic
premise. However, as with every
I
conversation, some voices speak louder,
though not necessarily more wisely, than
others. Often it is the reflective and
experienced voice that provides a more
measured view, albeit not always one which
is popular. You will rightly identify that I
view the Society in the latter role, trying to
maintain dialogue in the face of capricious
Mammon.
I took on the role of National Chairman
in May 2008, just as recession took hold,
and at a time when pressure on our built
environment, and the Society, has been
greater than for many, many years.
The challenges were many: to take in
hand the structural deficit which was eating
into our reserves, secure revenue funding,
and find a viable long-term future for the
Glasite Meeting House, our home for many
years.
Overcoming these issues took much
hard work and many difficult decisions.
Expenditure was trimmed back to the bare
minimum, but at the cost of losing some
dedicated and hard-working members of
our often unseen National Office team.
We secured funding from Historic Scotland
and RCAHMS for our educational and
outreach work, whilst the R & SB Clark
Charitable Trust has provided support for
casework activities. Surprisingly, several local
authorities have also been able to assist us.
The final piece in the jigsaw came when
Scottish Historic Building Trust took on
custodianship of the Glasite Meeting
House. This was very much a team effort.
Members of Council and the Glasite
Meeting House Trust gave their time and
expertise in huge quantities, and for that I
will be forever grateful.
A wider assessment of the Society’s
accomplishments can be read in the
enclosed AGM papers. However, one is
worth highlighting in particular. I have been
continually struck by the dedication shown
by the area groups in their casework and
educational activities. Their pursuit of good
planning decisions and efforts to raise
awareness of our built heritage are
important contributions towards the
ongoing protection of our heritage.
A final quotation, this time a Gaelic one
heard often in my childhood, “B’fhearr a bhi
sàmhach na droch dhàn a ghabhail”.
Broadly translated, it means ‘better be silent
than sing a bad song’. I hope that the voices
making up the Society’s songs hold their
steady tune and lead the way for other, less
harmonious, voices to join in.
upport us protect Scotland's
...and help
s
architectural heritage
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