The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

Every autumn SPAB, Britain’s oldest heritage charity, organises a series of lectures on quirky and inspiring subjects designed to appeal to a broad range of interests. This year, along with former TV producer Iain Boyd’s frank look at the use of period properties in films, the season also includes the fascinating story of iconic Broadcasting House, home of the BBC and recently the focus of a sensitive and successful renovation project.

Cornerstone is the widely respected members' magazine of Britain's oldest heritage body, SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings). The latest issue available now (October 2008) includes the usual lively blend of news stories, features and information from the heritage sector.

DO YOU LIVE IN A FOURTH RATE HOUSE? Find out more at SPAB'S first ever course for owners of terraced houses - an unusual Christmas gift?

Course date: Saturday January 17th 2009

All delegates receive a hardback copy of brand new SPAB publication 'Old House Handbook'

One day event, includes lunch and refreshments (£99 one person, £150 couple)

Expert speakers address key issues affecting terraced houses

For most people their home is their most valuable asset. As the property market moves into uncertain times, the importance of good maintenance is critical and the practical message of SPAB's annual National Maintenance Week (this year November 21 - 28) has never been more vital.

Free practical maintenance course for volunteers from the Jewish community who care for historically significant places of worship. Date/time: Sunday, July 13th, 9.30am – 4.30pm Venue: Manchester Jewish Museum (includes kosher lunch)

Nature likes the past. Old, traditionally-built houses, farm buildings, churches, mansions and cottages are more likely to offer a haven to plants and animals than most modern buildings. Summer's edition of Cornerstone, the members' magazine of SPAB (The Society for The Protection of Ancient Buildings) inspects the complex relationship between man, buildings and nature - from the birds and the bees to rabbits, carp, doves, bats, trees, flowers and fungi.

Caring for a period property can be rewarding and fascinating, but, along with the pleasure, owners often experience the pain of trying to find the right information about maintenance and repair. This June, SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) brings its highly respected Weekend Homeowners' Courses to Wales at the Ty Mawr, Lime Centre, Brecon (Saturday and Sunday June 28th and 29th ) and then in September to Somerset (Saturday and Sunday September 13th and 14th - venue tbc).

Last summer’s floods were the worst since 1947 and many properties were affected again during heavy rainfall in the winter. In the aftermath, hundreds of people whose period homes suffered water damage contacted SPAB’s (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) technical advice line desperate to find out what they should do next. In response, this June, SPAB, Britain’s oldest heritage charity, is holding a unique one-day course for concerned professionals and property owners.

In the North East there is a desperate shortage of builders and contractors with the skill and experience necessary for working with old buildings. Often, through lack of knowledge, contractors unwittingly cause damage to a period building by using inappropriate materials and approaches. For the third year running, SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) has joined forces with Hull College's Centre of Vocational Excellence in Construction to offer a one day workshop designed to foster best practice.

Leicestershire and its surrounding counties are lucky to retain a large number of vernacular buildings. Of all the materials used in the construction of these regionally distinctive buildings, some form of limestone usually plays an important role, both physically and aesthetically. In June builders will be able to explore the use of this environmentally friendly and sustainable building material during a two-day event organised jointly by SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings), The Building Limes Forum (eastern) and Brooksby Melton College.