Eco-nuns - marvellous

This is an inspiring story although I imagine they left their Victorian Abbey with regret.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2009/05/20/eco_nuns_abbey_feature.shtml

It has left me wondering about whether there is a project somewhere to 'green up' the church in general

Protecting neolithic heritage in Malta

There are many approaches to protecting fragile archaeological sites. Here in Malta, instead of reburying excavated sites with sand, they are installing a multi-million dollar tented roof which will mean the site remains accessible to the public whilst, at the same time, the worst of the wind and spray will be avoided. Having said that, the reporter does say that the site is still very unstable so I'm not sure if I'll be visiting just yet!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8054873.stm

Who pays to preserve shared ecclesiastical heritage?

On the walls of a ruined church in Northern Spain are some very fragile paintings depicting the murder of Thomas Becket. Now in the ownership of the local authority, they represent an exceptionally rare example of medieval art. Unfortunately, the local council doesn't have the resources to properly conserve the paintings and so the usual shout has gone out 'we need more tourism' so that they can raise the income to stabilise the ruins and employ proper conservators. Becket is a member of the Canon of Saints of the Catholic Church and as a former Archbishop of Canterbury, is also venerated within the Anglican church. So should there be financial support for the town of Soria from these bodies. How can we support one of the poorest Provinces in Spain to protect and then benefit from these unique works of art?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8029320.stm

Five Days, Fifty Ways to Make Tourism More Responsible

Next week sees an important online conference where delegates can debate the current state and future of responsible tourism. Between 18th and 22nd May, anyone can engage with the debate by accessing:

http://planeta.wikispaces.com/responsibletourism

and

http://www.artyforum.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=170&PID=212#212

Get involved!!!!

English Heritage and Stonehenge - finally a decision

AT LAST!!!!!

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.16383

Paying for conservation

The attached article is interesting - shows how we are beginning to ask our communities to take a greater role in funding conservation works in our National Parks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/8042863.stm

It will be interesting to see how they fare at a time when household budgets are being squeezed. Although, with a bumper year for UK tourism predicted, a carefully targeted scheme could tap into not just community interest, but also the pockets of the many people who visit the Parks each year.

Whether or not the funds raised will make a real difference remains to be seen. But then again, every little helps!