Expert Question Panel

Expert Question Panel

As a blacksmith, what questions have you always wanted to ask an architect, custodian or conservation officer?

As a heritage consultant, what questions have you always wanted to ask a craft practitioner?

Well, here’s your chance …

We’ve lined up a fantastic team of experts from various fields of ironwork and heritage conservation. As a ticket-holder you can SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS to the panel, who are all leaders in their field. The Question Panel will be chaired by Geoff Wallis, one of the founding members of NHIG, a specialist in the conservation of architectural and structural metalwork, with several decades of experience in the field. Read more about Geoff ..

PANEL

Dr David Mitchell, CUSTODIAN / INDUSTRIAL CONSERVATION SPECIALIST

David is Director of Conservation at Historic Environment Scotland, the national heritage body with responsibility for over 300 of Scotland’s most treasured places and collections. He has a long-held interest in the history of Scottish ironwork and its conservation and has been involved in a number of conservation projects across the UK and overseas. Read more…

David James, CONSERVATION BLACKSMITH

David is a fifth generation blacksmith working from the same forge as his great-great-grandfather, at George James & Sons in Northamptonshire. He is a past chairman of the British Artist Blacksmiths Association (BABA) and the NHIG. David’s interests in blacksmithing are wide-ranging, however his focus in recent years has been on the conservation of historic ironwork, which has led him to work on some of the country’s finest masterpieces.

Adrian Neilson, CONSERVATION OFFICER

Adrian is currently Senior Conservation Officer in the World Heritage City of Bath. After studying History at the University of Exeter he went on to study for an MA in Archaeology at the University of Bristol. Adrian started his architectural conservation career 16 years ago working with specialist conservation contractors as a conservator, managing sites conserving a diverse range of historic buildings in the South West of England, including many mediaeval churches. Read more …

Liz Smith, CONSERVATION ARCHITECT

Liz is an accredited Specialist Conservation Architect currently a partner at the architectural & heritage consultancy practice Purcell. Her passion lies in progressive conservation, and she believes designs can be more creative within the constraints and rich context of historic environments. Liz’s enthusiasm for historic cultural buildings has led her to take on key roles on several high-profile, complex projects including the Natural History Museum, the British Museum and St Paul’s Cathedral. Read more …

Jane Sidell, CUSTODIAN / ARCHAEOLOGY SPECIALIST

Jane has worked with English Heritage/Historic England for 20 years, firstly as science advisor and currently as Inspector of Ancient Monuments for London. This has involved untangling and advising on a range of practical scientific issues, undertaking research, and producing guidance and training. The role of Inspector involves helping to protect, conserve and enhance key sites from our shared past, so that they remain to be enjoyed by all.

Adrian Legge, EDUCATION / APPRENTICESHIPS SPECIALIST

Adrian has been a working blacksmith for over 40 years and has been teaching at further and higher levels for more than 30 years, most recently as Senior Tutor at the National School of Blacksmithing at Herefordshire & Ludlow College. During that time he has become a qualified teacher, assessor and verifier as well as a qualification writer. As a liveryman and Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, he sits on the company’s craft committee responsible for assessing practitioners for company awards.   Read more …

If your question is chosen, you will be invited to pose it directly to the panel at the V&A Conference. You can fill in the form below to submit your questions.

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