MEETING No 2 - THE UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN

This meeting took place on 11 June 2025 at 7pm, again in the foyer of the University of Lincoln's Architecture Department.  It was a small group of Trevor Oliver, Neil Cook, Robin Brittain and your reporter, David Glew.

 

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

 

The national Heritage Open Days in September were discussed, which this year would have the theme of“Architecture”.  For a number of years EMESS had joined this event by putting on a display at the mud-and-stud barn at Tumby Moorside.  This year would have been another good opportunity to meet the public, but it had to be missed through not having enough members, and not enough time to arrange anything.  Buildings of earth would not have been considered as architecture with a capital “A” in the past, but attitudes towards vernacular architecture have now included these types of buildings, even if they are at the bottom of the scale !

 

ARCHIVES

 

There had been a discussion at the last meeting about the archives of Rodney Cousins, which had been donated to EMESS by his family.  It was agreed that Jenne Pape would go with Trevor to the Village Museum in Skegness, to collect the papers which have been lodged there.  These will be combined with those which Trevor still has, and he and Jenne will make a start on collating them.  It was hoped the papers could find a final permanent home in the proposed Mumby Heritage Skills Centre, when that has been opened.  Unfortunately, the lease on that had still not yet been finalised.  Speaking of the Museum at Skegness, it was noted that Withern Cottage will need further lime-washing.  Readers might remember that Rodney Cousins organised the salvaging of this cottage from the village of Withern, for it to be re-built as the centre-piece of the Museum.  It was several years ago when EMESS last carried out lime-washing there.

 

MAPPING

 

Robin explained how EBUKI have developed the mapping of locations of interest on computers.  Users could then search for places with certain characteristics in which they were interested.  Photos, history, contacts, addresses, etc, were just some of the things which could be included.  For EMESS, and as an example of what could be done, the large paper maps of Lincolnshire which Rodney had developed in the 15 years of EMESS before he died 10 years ago, could be converted to computer mapping, and thereby become available to be read by anyone, anywhere, at any time .  That would be a project !

 

BLOGSPOT

 

A blogspot (a free type of website) had been arranged by Diana Glew about 15 years ago, on which your correspondent put posts until he retired, after which Trevor Oliver did them, although the last was in 2018.  A discussion followed on reviving this blogspot, or alternatively setting up a new website.  A cost of at least £150 a year would be required for a website, but this might be offset by advertising.  Another alternative could be the use of Facebook.  The Society needs to find someone who would be willing to do it, if the blogspot can't be revived.  If you're reading this, the blogspot must be working !

 

SUMMER SCHOOL

 

The possibility of having a summer school for architecture students was discussed.  This could be at Mill Farm working with mud on the the real-life project of the glamping pods, or at the Mumby Heritage Skills Centre with various crafts-people.  A more definite event was the forthcoming workshop demonstrating mud building techniques which was arranged for Saturday and Sunday 12 and 13 July.  Following that event would be the repair of part of a listed mud-and-stud cottage for private owners on Saturday 9 August.

                              

NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting was on 12 and 13 July at Mill farm

 

CONTACT

 

Please contact us to join in with our activities.  To do so, either phone Trevor Oliver on : 07801 065291, or send him an email at : millstonerestoration58@gmail.com, or send a comment to this blog and ask us to contact you.

 

David Glew