A Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) training event has attracted a full complement of architects, local authority officers and other key professionals employed in the built heritage sector.

Hosted in partnership with Scottish Traditional Skills Training Centre, the unique two-day course which took place on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 November, combined classroom-based learning with on-site inspection of the buildings within the Campbeltown Conservation Area. The aim was to provide delegates with a practical understanding of the skills and techniques involved in surveying the condition and assessing the conservation, repair & maintenance requirements of traditional and historic buildings. Delegates who completed the course will receive a certificate from the Scottish Traditional Skills Training Centre.

Councillor John Semple, Lead Councillor for Environment, Development and Infrastructure said

‘Maintaining the fabric of our buildings is essential to the economic wellbeing of the area and it’s great to see a course like this taking place in Campbeltown.  The THI has provided excellent training opportunities as part of its programme, and local businesses and homeowners alike have been able to benefit from the expertise of nationally acknowledged experts.’

The course tutors were leading conservation architect Andrew Wright OBE and building conservation expert Marc Ellington DL.

A past president of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Andrew is a former chairman of LDM Architects, and has served on the Ancient Monuments Board, The Royal Fine Art Commission and The Historic Environment Advisory Committee for Scotland. Marc is a former board member of The Historic Buildings Council for Scotland, The British Heritage Commission, The Heritage Lottery Fund and a Non-Executive Director of Historic Scotland, as well as a Trustee of the National Galleries and a Director of Scottish Enterprise Grampian, and has played a leading role in a number of major conservation projects and regeneration initiatives in Scotland, throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.

The course was aimed at those working in or with the construction industry, as well as members of local conservation organisations. The take-up by professionals was enthusiastic and all the places on the course were taken very quickly, but the level of demand was such that a special evening event for private home owners was arranged.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting experts, Marc Ellington said

‘We were heartened to see the enthusiastic uptake of the course and the outstanding achievements being made by everyone involved in the development and delivery of the Campbeltown THI.

‘The enthusiasm of the residents and owners of properties within the Conservation Area will undoubtedly contribute to achieving a secure and sustainable future for Campbeltown, and the town’s Built Heritage offers a range of major opportunities to market it not only as an outstanding destination for visitors, but also as an ideal place in which to live, work and invest.’

The THI Training Programme is an important part of the initiative. The total training budget of £60,000 over five years is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and Argyll and the Islands LEADER, and more traditional building skills courses will be held in 2013, on subjects including specifying mortars, completing structural repairs, the use of limewash and traditional paints and interior plasterwork.

More information on THI training events can be found at:   
http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/chord/campbeltown-thi-past-events