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1/15 Thanks @Berks_IA_Group Hi. I’m the Industrial Heritage Support Officer for England @IHSOEngland, a project based at Ironbridge @BlistsHill, funded by @HistoricEngland. My paper is entitled ‘Saving a Revolution: Industrial Heritage and the Impact of COVID-19’ #BIAG20
2/15 IHSO project has supported Industrial Heritage since 2012 by helping to: 1) Improve sustainability & conservation of c. 600 preserved publicly accessible IH sites in England 2) Enhance capacity & operating practices 3) Support arrangements to sustain this legacy #BIAG20
3/15 IHSO Outreach Programme has established 7 regional support Industrial Heritage Networks with the help of @AIndustrialArch & @AIMMuseums, working with groups such as @CanalRiverTrust, @ERIHUK to assist voluntary groups & local industrial museums where needed #BIAG20
4/15 IHSO project provides a regular flow of updates on events, guidance, grants & news for industrial heritage volunteers via its websites ( http://industrialheritagesupport.com & http://industrialheritagenetworks.com ), facebook ( http://groupfacebook.com/IHSOengland ) & twitter @IHSOengland #BIAG20
5/15 Current Challenges Facing c. 600 Publicly Accessible Industrial Heritage Sites: post-pandemic economic recovery; climate change; agricultural practice; planning regulations; & increasing the diversity of engagement. In this paper I'm focusing on the pandemic impact #BIAG20
6/15 The pandemic impact was swift. All c. 600 protected Industrial Heritage Sites in England were closed on 23 March 2020. This was just as the main tourist season was starting & just as many smaller sites were gearing up to open for the first time this year #BIAG20
7/15 The pandemic closure came after a month of weather chaos saw flooding in March affecting a number of Industrial Heritage museums such as @blistshill @HeronMill & Daniels Mill, whilst the sails & cap were torn off Burgh Le Marsh Windmill in the February gales #BIAG20
8/15 During lock down some industrial heritage sites suffered vandalism & trespass, with incidents recorded at preserved railways, like Peak Rail, and windmill sites. However, a dozen water- & wind-powered corn mills saw a boom in business as flour demand rose sharply #BIAG20
9/15 As the 1st pandemic wave eased re-opening preparations began. The Office of Road & Rail issued 'back to operation' guidance for heritage railways in May. @HistoricEngland issued re-opening guidance on IH sites in June, noting potential damage to historic fabric #BIAG20
10/15 In July 29% of the c. 600 IH publicly accessible preserved sites in England re-opened. This rose to 45% by end of August. However, mass events such as fairs & rallies were cancelled. Many sites focussed on opening the food retail &/or open spaces on their sites #BIAG20
11/15 In August the re-opened sites included 52 watermills, 41 heritage railways, 38 canal & river sites, & 34 windmills. In September many sites provided online tours & guides for the @Heritageopenday festival, & some like Crofton Pumping Station COVID-compliant tours #BIAG20
12/15 BUT, at least 43 of the 600 sites have announced that they will not re-open until 2021. Some Local Authority, National Trust & Historic England IH sites also remain closed. The long-term impact on volunteer numbers & the financial viability of these sites is unclear #BIAG20
13/15 Fund raising events cancelled at IH sites, admission numbers limited due to COVID with online booking the norm. Many open sites reported visitor numbers down 50% over the summer season due to the lock down. Redundancies have also been announced at several IH sites #BIAG20
14/15 BUT not all gloom. 12 preserved railways raised £3million from the public in emergency appeals. IA heritage sites have received emergency funding from @HistoricEngland, such as @WhealMartyn, & many more from COVID emergency funds thru @HeritageFundUK & Arts Council #BIAG20
15/15 The IHSO project will continue to monitor the pandemic's impact. But it will also continue to support those celebrating our rich industrial heritage by encouraging good practice, building more links, & encouraging the engaging of non-traditional audiences. Thank you #BIAG20
