World Heritage network to meet at Durham World Heritage Site

World Heritage UK is pleased to announce its next two-day summer workshop and networking event, exploring the social and economic opportunities and challenges of working with people in and around World Heritage Sites. A rare treat, the meeting will take place in the historic Priors Hall of Durham Cathedral (not generally open to the public), at the heart of the Durham Castle and Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to the support of Historic England and heritage consultancy, Purcell, we are able to bring you this opportunity for just £90 (plus booking fee). Limited to 50 places – register HERE soon to avoid disappointment.

An optional third day (Thursday 8th August) is also offered, at a small additional cost of just £30 (plus booking fee), with a chance to visit some of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site, at Hadrian’s Wall. Leaving Durham by coach in the morning, visiting Heddon on the Wall, the Sill Landscape Discovery Centre and on to Housesteads Roman Fort before returning late afternoon to Durham.

The draft programme for the 6th, 7th and 8th August is listed below and considers a range of subjects including: the socio-economic effects of world heritage status, heritage tourism, community archaeology, young people as heritage champions, along with some interesting international perspectives. Further information and confirmed speakers will be available shortly.

Delegates should come prepared to enjoy the presentations and contribute to developing these themes in panel sessions but it won’t be all work, with many opportunities to visit some highlights of this fascinating World Heritage Site including the Cathedral, Castle and Open Treasure exhibition, networking with world heritage colleagues and heritage service providers and a dinner in the Cathedral’s Medieval Undercroft restaurant included.

Perhaps a good opportunity to make it part of your summer holiday this year!

Day one: Tuesday 6th August
Pre-registration: Self-guided tour of Durham Castle
12.30-13.00 Registration and welcome refreshments (tea/coffee)

13.00-13.30 Session 1 Welcomes
Session Chair: tbc
13.00-13.10 World Heritage UK welcome
13.10-13.20 Sponsors’ welcome
13.20-13.30 Durham Cathedral World Heritage Site welcome

13.30-15.30 Session 2 Working with local people
Session Chair: tbc
13.30-14.00 Hadrian’s Wall Community Archaeology Project (Wall CAP)
14.00-14.30 Volunteering as a tool for community engagement Durham Cathedral
14.30-15.00 Lumbini, Nepal, Birthplace of the Buddha
15.00 – 15.30 Panel discussion and questions

15.30-16:00 Refreshments and networking (tea/coffee)
Event group photograph

16.00 – 17.00 Visit to Open Treasure Exhibition

17.30-18.30 Early evening supper – Cathedral Undercroft Restaurant and networking drinks reception in World Heritage Site Visitor Centre

Day two: Wednesday 7th August
09:00-10.00 Guided tour of Durham WHS 3 groups of 20

10.30-12.30 Session 2 Economic opportunities and challenges
Session Chair:tbc
10.30 – 11.00 England’s Northern World Heritage Collection
11.00 – 11.30 Tourist Tax
11.30 – 12.00 Analysing the socio-economic benefits of WHS status in Durham – a methodology
12.00 – 12.30 Panel discussion and questions

12.30-13.30 Lunch and networking/visit the Cathedral

13.30-15.30 Session 3 Working with young people
Session Chair: tbc
13.30-14.00 Young Heritage Ambassadors/Young Curators
14.00-14.30 North Wales Young Custodians Scheme
14.30-15.00 Rediscovering the Antonine Wall
15.00 – 15.30 Panel discussion and questions

15:30-16.00 Refreshments and networking (tea/coffee)

16.00 – 16.30 Elevator pitches from World Heritage Sites x 5 x 5 minutes
16:30-17:00 Summary and concluding remarks
16.30 – 16.40 Preparing for the World Heritage UK Conference 2019 at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site
16.40 – 17.00 Concluding remarks

Day three: Thursday 8th August (optional) Frontiers of the Roman Empire – site visit to Hadrian’s Wall
9.30 Leave Durham by coach
10.30 Arrive at Heddon on the Wall to meet John Scott and Kerry Shaw
10.30-11.15 Site visit at Heddon on the Wall to share visitor experience and community engagement
11.15-11.45 Travel to The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre
11.45-12.30 Presentation by John Scott on Hadrian’s Wall management
12.30-1.30 Lunch (designated café area for delegates to buy own lunch)
1.30-1.45 Travel to Housesteads Roman Fort
1.45-3.30 Site visit at Housesteads Roman Fort
3.30-4.30 Travel back to Durham

Register for the 2 or 3 day options HERE