New BBC Series Charts English Heritage At Work
For quarter of a century English Heritage, the Government’s statutory advisor on the historic environment, has championed the rich legacy of England’s historic buildings and monuments, archaeology, parks, gardens, war memorials and maritime treasures. On its 25th anniversary, a new BBC series produced by Oxford Film and Television will offer a glimpse of the workings of an organisation that is driven by expertise and passion to protect England’s heritage and the desire to become more open, reasoned, and consistent in its approach.
The series comprises four 60-minute episodes which follow the development of different projects that English Heritage is involved with, how its experts resolve the many dilemmas they face and the thinking that goes into their decisions.
Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive, said: "Conventional wisdom says that having a TV crew following you around while you work isn’t a very good idea. But in the end I agreed to the project because I think English Heritage will benefit from revealing itself more. Our work is endlessly fascinating, our experts are full of passion and knowledge, and some of the issues we tackle are not immediately easy to understand.
"English Heritage has a vital role in shaping and improving public life in the 21st century by making sure that more people understand that heritage is not just about the past and that our way of working is also not stuck in the past. Our vision is firmly set on the future and I hope the TV series conveys a sense of that."
"English Heritage" will be aired on BBC 2 on 24 April, at 9p.m. (subject to changes by broadcaster)We would like to hear your comments on these programmes. Please send your thoughts to customers@english-heritage.org.uk
The four featured projects are:
English Heritage plays the role of the buyer of last resort of one the country's last remaining Grade I-listed Jacobean mansions. What should be done to a building which has lost its original purpose? How easy is it to find a new owner? Find out more about the issues raised in the TV programme
English Heritage advice and support to the developer Urban Splash and Sheffield City Council is crucial to breathing new life into a pioneering post-war housing estate that has become a byword for social deprivation. Find out more about the issues raised in the TV programme
English Heritage undertakes to reconstruct the famous 16th century garden created by the Earl of Leicester for Queen Elizabeth I. Experts delved into an array of visual, textual and archaeological evidence, while local craftsmen were challenged to re-produce a two-storey aviary and a marble fountain. Find out more about the issues raised in the TV programme
English Heritage works with the developers on a long term project faced with commercial uncertainty. How important is the historic fabric to the area, what compromises has English Heritage made and why? Find out more about the issues raised in the TV programme
