The mark of the conservation professional
IHBC North Branch
Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Teesside and Tyne and Wear
IHBC North Branch LinkedIn
- Branch Contacts
- Papers
- Membership
- Business Plan
- Northern Notes
- Events
Tab 1
IHBC NORTH BRANCH COMMITTEE
Chair:
Roger Higgins
roger.higgins@cumberland.gov.uk
Vice Chair:
Sharon Kelly
Branch Treasurer:
Michael Atkinson
Branch Secretary:
Rebecca Taylor
Membership Secretary:
Stewart Ramsdale
Committee Members:
Eleanor Scott
Sarah Dyer
Fiona Bage
John Pendlebury
Geoff Underwood
Tab 2
Committee Meetings
Committee Meetings are now held online and are open to all members. Please contact Roger Higgins for more information roger.higgins@cumberland.gov.uk
Committee Minutes are available below. Please contact any member of the Committee for further details.
2022 AGM Notice
2022 Chair’s Report
2022 Treasurer’s Report
2022 AGM Minutes - 26th May 2022
25th July 2013
24th May 2013
12th March 2013
10th February 2010
27th January 2010
10th December 2008
5th November 2008
12th September 2008
9th July 2008
6th February 2008
7th November 2007
19th September 2007
Branch AGM minutes 19th October 2012
Tab 3
Tab 4
IHBC NORTH BRANCH BUSINESS PLAN:
Click to download PDF version of papers
North Branch Business Plan 2022-2023
North Business Plan - September 2008 to August 2009
North Business Plan - September 2007 to August 2008
Performance against 07-08 Business Plan
Tab 5
Northern Notes
These are large files, please be patient.
Issue no.11 - October 2013
Issue no.10 - March 2013
Issue no.9 - February 2012
Issue no. 8 - April 2011
Issue no.7 - September 2010
Issue no.6 - March 2010
Issue no.5 - September 2009
Issue no.4 - March 2009
Issue no.3 - November 2008
Issue no.2 - August 2007
Issue no.1 - December 2006
Tab 6
Join IHBC North Branch for a training day with a difference!
The Belsay Awakes project
The Rejuvenation and Safeguarding of a National Treasure
09.30 THURSDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2025
VENUE:
Belsay Hall, Belsay, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX
Please join us for IHBC North Branch’s Autumn CPD event, hosted by English Heritage at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, focusing on the Belsay Awakes project, a £9m renovation, rejuvenation and safeguarding initiative, completed in 2023.
This significant conservation initiative has revitalised the historic estate and gardens of Belsay Hall in Northumberland. It involved major conservation work to the Hall and its roof, the introduction of new visitor and education facilities including the Wild Man Play Area, the adaptive reuse of the Coach House as a café, rejuvenation of the gardens with over 80,000 new plants and the enhancement of accessibility and community involvement. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has created a more inclusive and adventurous experience for visitors.
The day will enable participants to experience first-hand the Charity’s challenges and successful efforts to preserve and enhance Belsay’s heritage for future generations.
NB
Please bring outdoor clothing and footwear appropriate for walking tours of the project.
CONTENT:
Listed Buildings / Accessibility / Landscape / Building Fabric / Funding / Community engagement
KEY COMPETENCIES:
Philosophy and Practice / Legislation and Policy / Design and Technology
PROGRAMME:
09:30 Registration and coffee
10:00 IHBC Introduction
10:10 Melanie Hills, English Heritage
11:10 Bryony Roff, Spence and Dower / Xsite
12:10 Lunch
13:10 Leon Walsh, Historic England
14:00 Close
BOOKING
Please book early to avoid disappointment. Email: michael@atkinsonarchitecture.co.uk
Please provide your IHBC membership No. (if applicable) and any dietary requirements.
PRICE:
IHBC Members: £35
Non-members: £45
IHBC Students/Unwaged/Retired £0
Includes lunch and refreshments
SPEAKERS
Melanie Hills, Projects Engagement Manager, English Heritage, Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens. Melanie has worked at Belsay since 2019 and played a key role in the Belsay Awakes project. She will be our host for the day.
Bryony Roff, Project Architect and Head of Conservation at Spence and Dower / Xsite. Bryony and her team were integral to the project. A particular challenge Bryony will address is how access for all was integrated successfully into this highly sensitive environment.
Leon Walsh, Head of Engineering at Historic England, delivers structural inspection, monitoring and design services for the English Heritage Trust. He has over twenty years’ experience as a Structural Engineer specialising in historic buildings within the private and public sector and will talk us through the fabric challenges presented by the project.
GETTING THERE
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX
By Car: Belsay Hall is located 14miles north-west of Newcastle Upon Tyne (approx. 25mins by car via the A696). It is well signed from Belsay village.
By Bus: Sadly, the excellent free X75 service from Newcastle to Belsay only runs 19th April-25th Sept. Other route options may be available at: https://travelinenortheast.info/plan-a-journey/
Parking is available within the walled garden at Belsay Hall: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/plan-your-visit/facilities/
For more information on Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/
09.30 THURSDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2025
VENUE:
Belsay Hall, Belsay, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX
Please join us for IHBC North Branch’s Autumn CPD event, hosted by English Heritage at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, focusing on the Belsay Awakes project, a £9m renovation, rejuvenation and safeguarding initiative, completed in 2023.
This significant conservation initiative has revitalised the historic estate and gardens of Belsay Hall in Northumberland. It involved major conservation work to the Hall and its roof, the introduction of new visitor and education facilities including the Wild Man Play Area, the adaptive reuse of the Coach House as a café, rejuvenation of the gardens with over 80,000 new plants and the enhancement of accessibility and community involvement. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has created a more inclusive and adventurous experience for visitors.
The day will enable participants to experience first-hand the Charity’s challenges and successful efforts to preserve and enhance Belsay’s heritage for future generations.
NB
Please bring outdoor clothing and footwear appropriate for walking tours of the project.
CONTENT:
Listed Buildings / Accessibility / Landscape / Building Fabric / Funding / Community engagement
KEY COMPETENCIES:
Philosophy and Practice / Legislation and Policy / Design and Technology
PROGRAMME:
09:30 Registration and coffee
10:00 IHBC Introduction
10:10 Melanie Hills, English Heritage
11:10 Bryony Roff, Spence and Dower / Xsite
12:10 Lunch
13:10 Leon Walsh, Historic England
14:00 Close
BOOKING
Please book early to avoid disappointment. Email: michael@atkinsonarchitecture.co.uk
Please provide your IHBC membership No. (if applicable) and any dietary requirements.
PRICE:
IHBC Members: £35
Non-members: £45
IHBC Students/Unwaged/Retired £0
Includes lunch and refreshments
SPEAKERS
Melanie Hills, Projects Engagement Manager, English Heritage, Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens. Melanie has worked at Belsay since 2019 and played a key role in the Belsay Awakes project. She will be our host for the day.
Bryony Roff, Project Architect and Head of Conservation at Spence and Dower / Xsite. Bryony and her team were integral to the project. A particular challenge Bryony will address is how access for all was integrated successfully into this highly sensitive environment.
Leon Walsh, Head of Engineering at Historic England, delivers structural inspection, monitoring and design services for the English Heritage Trust. He has over twenty years’ experience as a Structural Engineer specialising in historic buildings within the private and public sector and will talk us through the fabric challenges presented by the project.
GETTING THERE
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX
By Car: Belsay Hall is located 14miles north-west of Newcastle Upon Tyne (approx. 25mins by car via the A696). It is well signed from Belsay village.
By Bus: Sadly, the excellent free X75 service from Newcastle to Belsay only runs 19th April-25th Sept. Other route options may be available at: https://travelinenortheast.info/plan-a-journey/
Parking is available within the walled garden at Belsay Hall: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/plan-your-visit/facilities/
For more information on Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/
