Farewells…..and Welcomes
December 2004 saw the retirement of our chairman, David Johnson, who will be very
much missed, although he remains a willing and much appreciated volunteer. David joined us in January
2001 and served the BRA extremely well. He recently petitioned the National Archives on our behalf
resulting in the award of a grant of £16000 pa to maintain the work of the BRA. He will be much
missed.
His successor David Robinson began his professional life in Lichfield Record Office
in 1966 and became Surrey’s County Archivist in 1975 and Chair of the Records a little later. He now
researches medieval clergymen. I would like to send, via the newsletter, a plea from David for
volunteers with the time and enthusiasm for archives to help us by getting in touch; all help
will be gladly received.
Susan Snell, Chair of the RPS relinquished her post in December of last year but
remains a member of the Committee. Susan is presently working for Transport for London. Previous to
this she was at the National History Museum. She served as the RPS Committee chair for about seven
years and was a one time archivist here. Susan has been replaced by Emma Stagg née Halsall,
who at one time worked for the Historical Manuscripts Commission and is presently with the Museums
Libraries and Archives Council.
Celia Pilkington has replaced Gavin Henderson as the archivist for the BRA’s
Preservation Section. New leaflets are being created to send to the regional agencies in order
to publicise the work of the BRA further.
The Preservation Section aims to bring together owners, providers and users of
archives, and give guidance on the care and use of records. We are further extending our advisory
role with our archivist for hire scheme. This has led the archivist visiting collections which
have included the Roundhouse Archive in Camden, Downe House School Archive, The Eyre Estate Archive
and the London Civic Forum. The visits have provided the owners with advice and practical assistance
with their collections. The scheme provides the BRA with a much needed source of income, and the
archivist hopes to generate more income for the Preservation Section in this way. The archivist is
available for hire to list and sort records, as well as for cataloguing. Charges are to be calculated
on a daily or weekly basis If anyone has any need for any auxiliary work to be carried out by the BRA’s
archivist they should contact the archivist at the BRA office
During the last seventy years the RPS has saved from loss or destruction some
half a million documents relating to the history of the UK and deposited them without charge in
virtually all local and some specialist repositories in the country. Because records once lost
never be replaced there is a need for this work to continue. Thanks to the funding from the
National Council for Archives, the Preservation Section will be able to continue to fulfil this valuable
role, and in return for the grant, stipulates that the BRA will despatch 60 boxes annually.
The Preservation Section wishes to thank all those who have assisted it in its work over the
past year and to welcome those who join the organisation.
