Textile conservation crisis
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- Annie the Pedlar
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Textile conservation crisis
Apologies if Magot has got here first but I'm so cross. I'm fuming! I'm incensed!
They are threatening to close the textile conservation centre formally at Hampton Court now at Winchester.
Here's the message the Kentwellies have picked up.
OK, not many of you have heard of the Textile Conservation Centre in Winchester; but if you're museum staff, or costume historians, or otherwise have any serious interest in the preservation of some of the most fragile of our historic artefacts, and if you support the training of world-class conservators to do more of the same elsewhere, then please go to:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/TCCclosure
and sign up!
Otherwise it will be closed by the 'if it doesn't make a profit it can't be important' mentality that has screwed up so many worthwhile things of late.
NB - I had to put 'textile conservation centre' into the search on the homepage to find it, but the petition's there all right.
Magot
They are threatening to close the textile conservation centre formally at Hampton Court now at Winchester.
Here's the message the Kentwellies have picked up.
OK, not many of you have heard of the Textile Conservation Centre in Winchester; but if you're museum staff, or costume historians, or otherwise have any serious interest in the preservation of some of the most fragile of our historic artefacts, and if you support the training of world-class conservators to do more of the same elsewhere, then please go to:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/TCCclosure
and sign up!
Otherwise it will be closed by the 'if it doesn't make a profit it can't be important' mentality that has screwed up so many worthwhile things of late.
NB - I had to put 'textile conservation centre' into the search on the homepage to find it, but the petition's there all right.
Magot
Last edited by Annie the Pedlar on Thu Nov 15, 2007 6:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- gregory23b
- Absolute Wizard
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Just remove one of the C from the link Annie, then it will go there.
middle english dictionary
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- Skevmeister
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Been done and signed, not into soft stuff, but gets me mad that we keep closing important stuff down whilst speniodng millions on pointless quangos
Skev
Skev
ad augusta per angusta
No Hamster's, Moderators, Animals, or Re-Enactors were harmed in the making of this post.
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Apathy Ain't A Policy
No Hamster's, Moderators, Animals, or Re-Enactors were harmed in the making of this post.
Skev keeping it real since '86
Apathy Ain't A Policy
- Lord High Everything Esle
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- Brother Ranulf
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Signed up today.
There seems to be a worrying trend towards equating "history" with "forgotten" or "unimportant". This country has never made the most of the heritage we do have (not in the way that they do in France or Germany) and I for one believe we should fight to preserve our history at every opportunity.
Humble request - could this please be made a sticky, on an equal footing with the Sherwood Forest petition?
There seems to be a worrying trend towards equating "history" with "forgotten" or "unimportant". This country has never made the most of the heritage we do have (not in the way that they do in France or Germany) and I for one believe we should fight to preserve our history at every opportunity.
Humble request - could this please be made a sticky, on an equal footing with the Sherwood Forest petition?
Brother Ranulf
"Patres nostri et nos hanc insulam in brevi edomuimus in brevi nostris subdidimus legibus, nostris obsequiis mancipavimus" - Walter Espec 1138
"Patres nostri et nos hanc insulam in brevi edomuimus in brevi nostris subdidimus legibus, nostris obsequiis mancipavimus" - Walter Espec 1138
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Grrrr!!! Done!
www.chimera-costumes.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doncaster ... 0744816963
Lights! Camera! Action! Who, me?
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doncaster ... 0744816963
Lights! Camera! Action! Who, me?
Signed, but out of interst is this a nationally funded institution or part of Hampshire Museum Service - if the latter then a petition or lots of letters to Hants County Coucillors (particularly from County based members) will be more effective as the Govt can wash its hands by pointing out that its a local decision by the County Council.
Wilkes and Liberty, Wilkes and the Forty Five
- Annie the Pedlar
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- rosenkavalier
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AAARGGHHH.
Its not exactly their centre to close in the first place. Do they have a rational for it?
Anyone got contact details at the university so we can bombard them with scarily well informed letters? Any scandals we can help bring to light? Anyone go any up to date figures on number of people taking the course and the internal politics of the university?
Its not exactly their centre to close in the first place. Do they have a rational for it?
Anyone got contact details at the university so we can bombard them with scarily well informed letters? Any scandals we can help bring to light? Anyone go any up to date figures on number of people taking the course and the internal politics of the university?
- Phil the Grips
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Yes- see Rosenkavalier above. He works there.
--Angels also carry weapons--
http://www.blackboarswordsmanship.co.uk/
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Well, I have absolutely zero faith in any kind of petition to change anyones minds unless it is to their political/ economic advantage to do so.
So that immediately suggests that the campaign has to become more active and political. Hence the neccessary information.
We also need to know their precise rational for closure, and whether or not other grants are available similar to the one that appears to have been funding it for the past few years. Also what other actions are being taken, so that people can back each other up and avoid duplication of effort.
Who has graduated and is now famous? Anyone got the ear of high up heritage people? Do the museums know that their source of trained textile conservators is about to go?
So that immediately suggests that the campaign has to become more active and political. Hence the neccessary information.
We also need to know their precise rational for closure, and whether or not other grants are available similar to the one that appears to have been funding it for the past few years. Also what other actions are being taken, so that people can back each other up and avoid duplication of effort.
Who has graduated and is now famous? Anyone got the ear of high up heritage people? Do the museums know that their source of trained textile conservators is about to go?
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- rosenkavalier
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We've now been issued with an official press release regarding the closure of the TCC, which I've attached below. Thanks again to everyone who's expressed support for the Centre.
Following a detailed review of the viability of the Textile Conservation Centre (TCC), which has been part of the University of Southampton since June 1999, the University’s Council has decided, with profound regret, that the Centre will close in late 2009.
The decision to close the Centre, which is based at the University’s School of Art campus in Winchester, has not been taken lightly. It follows eight years of significant investment by the University, during which time the University has paid the majority of the cost of the Centre’s new purpose-built facilities on the School of Art campus, and contributed annually to meet the Centre’s budget shortfall. The University has concluded, with great reluctance, that the cross subsidy from other areas of academic endeavour can no longer be justified.
The TCC review followed a major restructuring of the academic programme at the School of Art, which was designed to meet increasing student demand for new courses in art and design, with a strong focus on commercial applications of art. This has been successfully achieved, with School of Art student numbers increasing, staff/student ratios among the best in the country, and the School on target to eliminate its financial loss.
The restructure at the School of Art resulted in the closure of the School's History of Art and Design Division, to which the TCC was linked academically, and as a consequence, the Centre ceased to be part of the School of Art earlier this year.
When the TCC joined the University the expectation was that it would become viable as an integral part of Winchester School of Art. However, this was not achieved. Efforts to find an external source of income for the TCC to bridge the funding gap have not yet succeeded. The University also sought to develop a new business plan within the University financial model which would create a viable long term future for the TCC.
Despite much work by the TCC and University staff, as well as the TCC Foundation (the Centre's supporting Trust), it has not proved possible to build a business plan within the context of the University of Southampton that would bring the TCC into balance/surplus, whilst still protecting the high quality of its work.
As part of the review, the University also investigated transferring the TCC to an alternative university. A number of the institutions approached in connection with the transfer option were most interested in taking on the TCC, but were unable to pursue this, due in large part to the need also to provide new or refurbished accommodation to fit the Centre's very specific professional needs.
The University fully acknowledges the international excellence of the TCC and its significant achievements before and since becoming part of the University. However, postgraduate conservation education is a resource-intensive activity. The conservation sector has been discussing this for some months, as conservation programmes elsewhere face similar pressures as the TCC. In order to raise awareness of this nationally significant issue and to seek some solutions, the University and the TCC Foundation are working together on an international summit on conservation education in the UK in the early part of 2008.
Following a detailed review of the viability of the Textile Conservation Centre (TCC), which has been part of the University of Southampton since June 1999, the University’s Council has decided, with profound regret, that the Centre will close in late 2009.
The decision to close the Centre, which is based at the University’s School of Art campus in Winchester, has not been taken lightly. It follows eight years of significant investment by the University, during which time the University has paid the majority of the cost of the Centre’s new purpose-built facilities on the School of Art campus, and contributed annually to meet the Centre’s budget shortfall. The University has concluded, with great reluctance, that the cross subsidy from other areas of academic endeavour can no longer be justified.
The TCC review followed a major restructuring of the academic programme at the School of Art, which was designed to meet increasing student demand for new courses in art and design, with a strong focus on commercial applications of art. This has been successfully achieved, with School of Art student numbers increasing, staff/student ratios among the best in the country, and the School on target to eliminate its financial loss.
The restructure at the School of Art resulted in the closure of the School's History of Art and Design Division, to which the TCC was linked academically, and as a consequence, the Centre ceased to be part of the School of Art earlier this year.
When the TCC joined the University the expectation was that it would become viable as an integral part of Winchester School of Art. However, this was not achieved. Efforts to find an external source of income for the TCC to bridge the funding gap have not yet succeeded. The University also sought to develop a new business plan within the University financial model which would create a viable long term future for the TCC.
Despite much work by the TCC and University staff, as well as the TCC Foundation (the Centre's supporting Trust), it has not proved possible to build a business plan within the context of the University of Southampton that would bring the TCC into balance/surplus, whilst still protecting the high quality of its work.
As part of the review, the University also investigated transferring the TCC to an alternative university. A number of the institutions approached in connection with the transfer option were most interested in taking on the TCC, but were unable to pursue this, due in large part to the need also to provide new or refurbished accommodation to fit the Centre's very specific professional needs.
The University fully acknowledges the international excellence of the TCC and its significant achievements before and since becoming part of the University. However, postgraduate conservation education is a resource-intensive activity. The conservation sector has been discussing this for some months, as conservation programmes elsewhere face similar pressures as the TCC. In order to raise awareness of this nationally significant issue and to seek some solutions, the University and the TCC Foundation are working together on an international summit on conservation education in the UK in the early part of 2008.
[quote="rosenkavalier"]
The University fully acknowledges the international excellence of the TCC and its significant achievements before and since becoming part of the University. However, postgraduate conservation education is a resource-intensive activity. The conservation sector has been discussing this for some months, as conservation programmes elsewhere face similar pressures as the TCC. In order to raise awareness of this nationally significant issue and to seek some solutions, the University and the TCC Foundation are working together on an international summit on conservation education in the UK in the early part of 2008.[/color][/quote]
I'm currently in the final year of my heritage conservation degree at the University of Derby. It was announced a few weeks ago that the course here is to be axed too.
The university feels it is not cost-effective and instead offering extra places on petroleum studies.
The University fully acknowledges the international excellence of the TCC and its significant achievements before and since becoming part of the University. However, postgraduate conservation education is a resource-intensive activity. The conservation sector has been discussing this for some months, as conservation programmes elsewhere face similar pressures as the TCC. In order to raise awareness of this nationally significant issue and to seek some solutions, the University and the TCC Foundation are working together on an international summit on conservation education in the UK in the early part of 2008.[/color][/quote]
I'm currently in the final year of my heritage conservation degree at the University of Derby. It was announced a few weeks ago that the course here is to be axed too.

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For those seeking amunition to help fight the corner for textile conservation, you could highlight the recent conservation award given to Perth Museum and Art Gallery for the conservation of a 17th century doublet and the excellent educational opportunity it has provided.
For those who work at the Textile Conservation Centre and are looking at their future options, the Scottish Conservation Studio may be able to offer some valuable advice on setting up in business. The three conservators who formed the SCS were made redundant a few years ago because the organisation they were attached to could no longer afford the costs. In two years, they have created a highly successful business.
For those who work at the Textile Conservation Centre and are looking at their future options, the Scottish Conservation Studio may be able to offer some valuable advice on setting up in business. The three conservators who formed the SCS were made redundant a few years ago because the organisation they were attached to could no longer afford the costs. In two years, they have created a highly successful business.
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- Post Knight
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A bit more about the collection of historic knitting at the University of Southampton from Linda Newington who is working on the collections cataloguing all the books, journals and paper archives (patterns, etc.).
The knitting collection belongs to the University of Southampton. The online 'Knitting Reference Library', is planned to be launched in July 2008. The Collection is open by appointment at the Winchester School of Art every Thursday during termtime. An exhibition of highlights opens at the Hartley Library, University of Southampton, on 28 April, 2008.
The knitting collection belongs to the University of Southampton. The online 'Knitting Reference Library', is planned to be launched in July 2008. The Collection is open by appointment at the Winchester School of Art every Thursday during termtime. An exhibition of highlights opens at the Hartley Library, University of Southampton, on 28 April, 2008.
- Skevmeister
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- Kate Tiler
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Moved to costume area too, so it survives for longer!
http://www.katetiler.co.uk
http://www.companyofartisans.co.uk
"In art as in life everything is possible as long as it is based on love" Marc Chagall
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"In art as in life everything is possible as long as it is based on love" Marc Chagall
- Colin Middleton
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There's no point in history, it produces nothing and has no value. Remeber "Those who faile to learn the lessons of History are condemed to repeat them". As we can't be bothered to learn any history, it contributes nothing!
I hate morons!
So when we close the 'internationally excellent' centre, what happens to all their sample, compost bin?
Obviously we owe nothing to the future and care nothing of the past.
I'm off to fume now...

So when we close the 'internationally excellent' centre, what happens to all their sample, compost bin?
Obviously we owe nothing to the future and care nothing of the past.
I'm off to fume now...
Colin
"May 'Blood, blood, blood' be your motto!"

"May 'Blood, blood, blood' be your motto!"

- Phil the Grips
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Just a spot of thread necromancy as Rosenkavalier, who works there, has just let me know that the inevitable has occurred-
http://www.textileconservationcentre.so ... tion.shtml
So if you want to employ/retain a pet conservator and kit maker now is your chance.
http://www.textileconservationcentre.so ... tion.shtml
So if you want to employ/retain a pet conservator and kit maker now is your chance.
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Here it is on iplayer here http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 9_04_2009/
and if you don't want to listen to 30 minutes of news drag the slider at the bottom to 24:10
and if you don't want to listen to 30 minutes of news drag the slider at the bottom to 24:10