Dr Marion Harney appointed Trustee of the Garden History Society

Dr Marion Harney, Director of Studies for the MSc in the Conservation of Historic Gardens and Cultural Landscapes programme, has become a Trustee of the Garden History Society, statutory consultees for all registered landscapes in the UK. She was also invited to be the GHS Council Representative and elected as Chair on the newly formed Joint Conservation Committee (JCC) which has equal selected representation from the Garden History Society and Association of Gardens Trusts (AGT).

The JCC Committee which will act as a Joint Advisory Board and will be responsible for advising GHS and AGT Trustees on matters relating to the conservation of historic parks and gardens and designed landscapes and related matters at an international, national, regional and local level and on particular planning applications where the impact of the proposed development may be nationally significant. It will also make joint representations and work with other amenity societies, government agencies and non-government organisations and any other relevant bodies to promote the wider understanding and conservation of historic parks, gardens and designed landscapes.

Commenting that she was delighted to have been invited to join this pro-active initiative, Marion added that the newly formed committee will have the advantage of reaching a larger constituency, and attract a younger demographic, including students. Stronger links with the university sector will also enable closer engagement with the research community, inform best practice and provide the ability to commission or promote research activities that are of reciprocal benefit. Collectively, the pooling of resources and expertise combined with a consolidation of efforts means that we will speak with one, strong, more effective voice for the protection and conservation of historic assets.

Marion has also been invited to participate in a workshop organised by B&NES, in partnership with Cotswolds AONB to explore the possibility of a Landscape Partnerships bid to Heritage Lottery Fund for the green setting of Bath World Heritage Site (WHS). The recently approved Green Infrastructure Strategy for B&NES, the Setting of Bath WHS document and the Cotswolds Management Plan all highlight the need for coordinated and positive management of this unique landscape.