Heritage chief to speak on values.

The prestigious Ironbridge Annual Lecture will be hosted by the University of Birmingham on Thursday, 13th November at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. Held in partnership with the Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT), it will be delivered by Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage with his lecture entitled ‘The Value of Heritage and the Heritage of Value’.

In a world where everything has a monetary value how can cultural heritage be taken seriously by politicians? Simon Thurley debates that present arguments for the value of the nation’s heritage are bankrupt. A new narrative is needed if we are to ensure that the best of our past is retained for the benefit of future generations. Simon sets out what he thinks this is and how it can help shape a better future for everyone.

Professor Mike Robinson, Director of IIICH commented: “The Ironbridge Annual Lecture is always an important occasion for us and we are delighted to be able to welcome such an eminent and entertaining speaker as Simon Thurley. The Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage recognises that with increasing heritage demands, decreasing public resource and emergent global pressures some radical thinking is required as to how we deal with the nation’s heritage.

“Since 1983 English Heritage has been at the forefront of caring for England’s but times are indeed changing and Simon is very much engaged in the agenda of change.”

All are welcome to come and enjoy this free lecture on 13th November. Simon will be on hand from 5.30pm to sign copies of his recent book The Building of England, and complimentary tea and coffee will also be served. The lecture will start promptly at 6pm.

For more information and free registration please visit www.heritageculture.com and www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/historycultures/departments/ironbridge/events/2014/annual-lecture-2014.aspx