FightingBack

Somesuggestionsastohowtocampaigntosavemuseums,archaeologicalservicesand
thehistoricenvironment
RESCUETheBritishArchaeologicalTrust
www.rescuearchaeology.org.uk
Introduction
Thesenotes(nowintheirfifthedition)areintendedtoprovidesomeguidancefor
campaignersseekingtoprotectandpreservelocalandregionalarchaeologicalservices,
museumsandheritageservicesfromcutswhichwilldamagetheservicetheydelivertothe
profession,toacademiaandtothepublicatlarge.Theyarebasedontheexperienceof
membersofthecommitteeofRESCUETheBritishArchaeologicalTrustandonadvicewe
havereceivedfromothercampaigners.Manypressuregroupshavepublishedsimilar
adviceanditisalwaysworthlookingathowtheseorganisationsconductthemselvesfor
furtherideaswhichmightbeadaptedindefenceofarchaeology.Thesenotesconcernonly
England.WeshallbecompilingsimilarguidanceforScotland,WalesandNorthernIreland
totakeaccountofthedifferentpoliticalarrangementsinthosecountriesinduecourse.
Thefirstpartofthisdocumentoutlineswhotocontactandhowyoucangoabout
locatingthem.Thisisfollowedbysomeadviceonwhattosayandhowtostructureyour
argument.Theauthorsarewellawarethatlocatingrelevantinformationtosupporta
campaigncanbeatimeconsumingandfrustratingbusiness,evenwiththeaidofthe
internet.Thethirdsectionorfactpackisasummaryofsomeofthemostusefulonline
resources.Wearealwaysseekingtoimprovethisresourcesoanysuggestionsforadditions
willbemostwelcome,aswillsuggestionsastohowthedocumentasawholemightbe
improved.
Basicrules
Thebasicrulestofollowwhencontactinglocalcouncillors,politicians,civilservants
orothersarefairlysimple:

Bepolite
Beconfident
Doyourresearchandknowyourfacts
Staycalm

Howevermisguided,shortsightedorplainstupidyouthinkaproposalis,itisnever
agoodideatoloseyourtemperandpositivelycounterproductivetobecomeabusiveor
insulting.InthecaseofCllr.MeltonandtheFenlandDistrictCouncil,werapidly
appropriatedCllr.Meltonscontemptuousphrases(bunnyhuggers,historicleftiesetc)as
badgesofpride.Donthandyouropponentsthesamegiftandneverletthemplaythe

injuredpartycardbygivingthemexamplesofabusetopassontothelocalornational
media.Wehaveeveryreasontobecertainoftheimportanceofthehistoricenvironmentto
societyandtheeconomyandweshouldbeabletomaketheargumentcalmlyand
rationally.Wecanleaveittothepoliticiansandthetabloidpresstomakeemptyrhetorical
pointsandtoappealtotheworstsideofhumannature.
Whotocontact
Localgovernment
Whoyoushouldcontactaboutaparticularissuewilldependtosomeextenton
wherethethreatiscomingfromandthenatureoftheinstitutionorserviceconcerned.In
thecaseofmostmuseums(otherthanthosewhicharerunprivately),allHistoric
EnvironmentRecords(HER)orSitesandMonumentsRecords(SMR)andsimilarpublic
servicesthefirstpeopletotackleareyourownelectedlocalcouncillorsandthose
councillorswhoactasthechairsofcommittees.Theyrelyonyourvotesandwillrespond
topublicpressureifaparticularissueisdeemedtorepresentathreattotheirreelectionor
tothelocalpopularityofthepoliticalpartywhichtheyrepresent.Ifyoudonotknowwho
yourcouncillorsarethencheckthelocalauthoritywebsitewheretherewillbelists,usually
arrangedbyward.
Alllocalauthoritiesmaintainwebsitesandthesecanbeausefulsourceof
informationbutsometimesfindingtherelevantfactsanddetailscanbedifficult.Such
websitesusuallyhaveagoodfrontpagewhichisdesignedtoassistpeopleinthe
commonertypesoftask.Therewillprobablybeveryobviouslinksforthosewantingto
submitaplanningapplication,reportfaultystreetlightsortohavegraffitiremoved.They
willalsomakeafeatureofthoseaspectsofCouncilpolicywhicharedeemedtobemost
attractivetovoters.Thisis,ofcourse,understandablebutitcanmaketheworkofthe
dissenterorcampaignerdifficult.Taskssuchassearchingforindividualstaffmembers'
contactdetailsorthecorrectminutesfromacertainmeetingwherethedecisionyouwant
toquestionwastakencanbetrickybutitisusuallypossiblewithalittleapplication.
AllCouncilsstructuretheirwebsitesdifferentlyandsimplesearcheswilloftennot
producethedesiredresultsfirsttimearound.Forexample,sensiblysearchingforthe
contactdetailsoftheHeadofEnvironmentalServicesortheHeadofPlanningmaynot
giveyouusefulresultsiftheCouncilhasrenamedtheirofficersDirectorofCommunities
orDirectorofRegenerationandPartnerships.Councilsareconstantlychangingofficers'
jobtitlesanddepartmentalnames.Itisatechniquethatisprobablydesignedtodiscourage
peoplelikeyoufromcontactingthem.However,therearewaysaroundthis.
OneofthesimplerthingstodoinitiallyistosearchfortheCouncil'sOrganisational
StructureChart.ThiswillsetoutthewaythemanagementofyourCouncilisorganised
andshouldgivethenamesandjobtitlesofthemanagersofthevariousdepartmentsand
whatthosedepartmentsarecurrentlycalledandwhatservicestheyactuallycover.Donot
searchforthestructurechartusingtheCouncilwebsite'ssearchfacility.Itisalmostalways
quickertouseGoogleorasimilarsearchengine.
Mostlocalauthoritieshavetwocontactpointswhosejobtitlesareconstant.These
aretheChiefExecutiveandtheLeaderofTheCouncil.Somelocalauthorities(including

Doncaster,Bristol,London,HartlepoolandMiddlesborough)haveanelectedMayorrather
thanaLeaderoftheCouncil.
TheChiefExecutiveisaprofessionalmemberofstaffwhoispaid(fromtheCouncil
Tax)torunthebusinesssideoftheCouncilswork.Heorshewillbeafulltime
professionalmanagerwhohasnopartypoliticalaffiliationandwillusuallyremaininpost
irrespectiveofwhetherthepoliticalcolouroftheCouncilchangesatelectiontime.
LetterstotheChiefExecutivewillbepassedtotherelevantofficerforaresponse.In
somecasesthiscaninvolvealetterbeingpasseddownamanagementchainthrougha
numberofmembersofstaffbeforeitgetstotherightperson.Thismeansthatyour
complaintcouldbeseenbyseveralpeoplebeforebeingansweredandisabetterwayof
havingyourconcernnotedbyanumberofofficersratherthansimplysendingaletterto
(forexample)theHeadofDevelopmentControlinthefirstinstance.Furthermore,whena
directiontoansweraquerycomesfromaseniormanageroraCouncillor,Councilstaff
tendtojumpandmayrespondmorequicklythantheydoinanswertodirect
correspondencewhichwillusuallywaititsturninanintray.
TheLeaderoftheCouncilisanelectedofficialwhorepresentsthemajoritypolitical
partythatrunstheCounciloverall.LetterstotheLeaderoftheCouncilshouldsolicita
directresponseiftheydon't,youasavoterareentitledtoaskwhy.
Councilshavesystemsofcommitteesandsubcommitteesdealingwithdifferent
areasofresponsibility.Themembersoftheseshouldalsobecontactedalongwithyour
ownlocalcouncillors.Differentcouncilshavetheirownwaysofarrangingthingsandyou
mayhavetosearchthewebsitetofindthecorrectcommittee.Aswithjobtitlesthenames
ofthecommitteesarenotalwaysselfexplanatoryandmaychangeatoddintervalsin
responsetothevagariesofbureaucraticfashion.Examplesofsuchcommitteesincludethe
CouncilsCabinet,theScrutinyand/orFinanceCommitteesandyourlocalAreaBoard:itis
alwaysadvisabletodiscusstheissuewithaCouncilloryouknowononeofthese
Committees(or,inthecaseofanAreaBoard,yourlocalCouncillor)sothatyourapproach
totheCommitteecanbemademosteffective.Ifyouareabletospeakatameeting,tryto
getyourconcernsandsuggestionsdiscussedandrecordedintheminutes.Needlesstosay,
ifyouspeakataCouncilmeeting,keepyourpointsshort,focussedandrelevantandtryto
sumuptheissueasconciselyaspossible.
SomelocalauthoritieshaveappointedindividualcouncillorstobeHeritage
Champions(http://www.helm.org.uk/heritagechampions).EnglishHeritagehaveafull
listofthesepeoplebutwontreleaseitontherathercuriousgroundsthatiftheydidthen
thecouncillorsconcernedwouldbecontactedbymembersofthepublicwishingtoraise
issuespertainingtoheritage.Weratherthoughtthatwasthepointbutsometimesthereis
noarguingwiththeofficialmind!Theydo,however,providealistofcouncilswhichhave
appointedheritagechampions(http://www.helm.org.uk/heritagechampions/listof
localauthorityheritagechampions/)althouighthedetailsaresparse.Yououghttobeable
tofindoutifyourlocalauthorityhasaheritagechampionbylookingonyourCouncils
websiteorbycontactingtheTownHalloroneofyourlocalcouncillors.
Localnewspapersonceplayedanimportantpartinthescrutinyofcouncilsand
wouldoftenacttoholdelectedmemberstoaccount.Tosomeextenttheystilldothisbut

localjournalismisindeclineandmanypapersemploylittlemorethanaskeletonstaffwho
relyonpressreleasesfortheirinformation.Thiscanbetoyouradvantageastheywillbe
receptivetoinformationsuppliedtothemandareusuallykeentoprintlettersfromtheir
readers.Inaddition,itcanbeusefultocopylettersand/oremailssenttocouncillorstothe
localnewspaperswithacoveringletter.Thiswillalertthemtothefactthatthereisanissue
oflocalconcernandmaypromptsomefurthercoverage.Italsopreventscouncillors
pretendingthatthereisnopublicinterestintheissue.
Itmaybehelpfultodiscusstheissue,perhapsinformally,viaacontactorfaceto
face,withyourCountyArchaeologicalOfficerorsomeoneintheCouncilsMuseums,Arts
andCultureorHeritageDepartment.
Centralgovernment
Movingupthepoliticalladderfromlocalauthoritieswecometocentralgovernment
(Westminster)andthedevolvedgovernmentsofScotland,WalesandNorthernIreland.
ThiseditionofFightingBackdealswithonlywithEnglandand,toalesserextent,the
EuropeanParliament.Futureeditionswillincludeinformationpertainingtothedevolved
administrationsandmoreontheroleofEurope.
InthefirstinstanceyoushouldcontactyourMPandyourMEP,thelatter
particularlyinthecaseofplanningmattersasBritainhasobligationsunderEuropean
Communityregulationsanddirectivesinrespectofthehistoricenvironmentandplanning
(notablytheVallettaConventionandtheEuropeanLandscapeConvention,detailsofwhich
aregivenbelow).
ContactdetailsforMPsandotherscanbefoundonseveralwebsites,includingThey
WorkforYou:http://www.theyworkforyou.com/.Asimilarsite,whichalsoincludes
localcouncillorsandMEPs,isWritetoThem:http://www.writetothem.com/.
YourfirstobjectiveshouldbeyourownMPand/orMEPs.IfyourlocalMP(ora
memberoftheHouseofLords)iswillingtoaskaParliamentaryQuestion(eitherawritten
questionoraquestionforashortdebate),thatcanbeparticularlyhelpful.Anylettersyou
writetoyourMPcanbecopiedtotheMinisterinchargeoftherelevantdepartment.Those
mostdirectlyconcernedwitharchaeologicalandhistoricenvironmentmattersareinthe
DepartmentofCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(DCLG)andtheDepartmentof
Culture,MediaandSport(DCMS).Bothhaveextensivewebsiteswhichincludecontact
detailsandmuchmore,includingthetextofspeeches,pressreleasesetc.Likelocal
governmentwebsites,theyarenotalwaysdesignedforeaseofusebycampaignersand
somesearchingmaybenecessary.TheDCMSandDCLGwebsitescanbefoundat:
DepartmentofCommunitiesandLocalGovernment:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/
DepartmentofCulture,MediaandSport:http://www.culture.gov.uk/
ThereisnospecificpageforarchaeologyontheDCMSwebsitebutmuseumsand
galleriesarecoveredhere:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/museums_and_galleries/default.aspxwith

specificdocumentslistedhere:https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/maintaining
worldleadingnationalmuseumsandgalleriesandsupportingthemuseum
sector/activity
TheDCMSpublishesstatisticaldatafromtheannualTakingPartsurveywhich
coversparticipationinheritage,leisureandsportandcultureandtheartsinEngland.This
seemstobeupdatedseveraltimesayearandaccordingtothewebsiteisthekeyevidence
sourceforDCMS. Thecurrentedition,togetherwithlinkstoearlierreleasescanbefound
here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sat2
Fromacampaignerspointofviewsuchstatisticscanbeofgreatvaluein
confoundingthebaselessassertionswhichareoftenmadeconcerningthevalueofheritage
totheeconomyofthecountryandtothepopulationatlarge.Othersourcesofdataand
statisticsarecoveredinthe'factpack'below.
TheAllPartyParliamentaryGrouponArchaeology(APPAG)canbecontactedby
writingtotheSecretary,LordRedesdaleorthechairman,LordRenfrewofKaimsthornat
c/oAPPAG,HouseofLords,LondonSW1A0PW.
Thewebsite(http://www.appag.org.uk/)doesnotseemtoreflectahighlevelof
activityanddoesnotseemtohavebeenupdatedsince2007whichissomethingofan
indictmentoftheGroup,giventhecurrentcrisesaffectingarchaeologyandthehistoric
environment.
Whattosayandhowtosayit
Obviouslythecontentofyourlettersand/oremailswilldependontheparticular
issuethatyouaretacklingbuttherearefewgeneralrulestofollowwhichwillmaximisethe
impactofyourcampaign.Towardstheendofthisdocumentyouwillfindthefactpack
whichcontainslinksrelevanttoanumberofthepointsmadehereandwhichincludethe
statisticsandsurveyresultswhichsupportthesepoints.

Beconcisethereseemstobeageneralreluctanceonthepartofourelected
representativestoreadmuchmorethanasinglesideofA4papersotrytokeepyour
lettersbrief,conciseandtothepoint.Iftheissueisacomplexoneandrequiresa
longerletter,usebulletpointstomakethemajorpointsstandout.

Keepthepointsyoumakestrictlyrelevanttotheissuealongramblingletter
raisingmultiplepointswilloftenbediscardedastheworkofamadperson.

Politiciansarekeenonsoundbitesandideaswithasimpletagline.Atthetimeof
thelastelection,forexample,weheardmuchabouttheBigSocietyandsuch
initiativesoftenhaveaculturalandcommunityaspecttothemwhichcanbe
emphasisedinconnectionwithheritageissueswhenyouaredealingwith
politicians.

Emphasisepointsthatwillresonatewithelectedrepresentatives.Inthecaseof
museumsandheritageattractionsforexample,emphasisetheeconomicbenefitsto
thelocalareathroughtourismandthenegativeimpactonlocalbusinessesifpeople
havenoreasontovisityourtownorvillage.
Mostmuseumshaveactiveeducationalandoutreachprogrammesandwe
haveyettohearofoneofthesethatisnothighlyvaluedbyparents,teachersand
pupils.Suchprogrammesareoftenamongsttheearlycasualtiesofcutsandstrikeat
theheartofanactivelocalmuseum.Outlinetheimportanceofhandson
experienceofhistoryandarchaeologywhichisofferedbysuchinitiatives,the
differencethattheymaketotheeducationalexperienceandthenegativeeffectof
theircancellation.
Somemuseumsandmanycommunityandheritagegroupsorganise
excavationsandsurveyprojectsinwhichvolunteersplayacentralpart.Politicians
seemtobegenerallyignorantofthese(inspiteofafewhighprofilevisitsmadeby
governmentministersandMPs)andareoftensurprisedtolearnofbenefitgainedby
youngpeoplewhentheyhavetheopportunitytoparticipateinanarchaeological
excavationorsurvey.Substantialreductionsincrimeandantisocialbehaviourhave
beenclaimedfortheDigManchesterprojectforexampleandtheseweresupported
byGreaterManchesterpolice.
Theculturalimportanceofheritageshouldnotbeoverlookedascontributing
tothevitalityoflocalcommunitiesemphasisethenumbersofpeopleactiveinlocal
heritagegroupsandsocietiesandthepositiveimpactthishasoncommunity
cohesion.

Emphasisethepopularityandlevelsofinterestinthepast.Televisionprogrammes
suchasTimeTeamregularlyattractedanaudienceofaround2.5millionandTV
companiesonlycommissionprogrammeswhenresearchindicatesthattheaudience
share(andadvertisingrevenue)willbesignificant.WhetheryoulikedTimeTeam
ornot,thefactthatitwasrecommissionedrepeatedlyandwassoldthroughoutthe
worldatteststoitspopularitywithawiderangeofviewersandthisissome
indicationthatthereisasizeablebodyofpeoplewhoregardarchaeologyas
somethingtobesupported.Muchthesamegoesforlocalheritagedaysandsimilar
eventsanditisworthhighlightingthevaluepeopleplaceonthem.

Thereisnosenseinwhichtheseexamplesareintendedtobespuriousortomislead
politiciansandallcanbesubstantiatedfrommanysources.Thepointisthatpoliticiansare
oftenignorantofthemandneedtobeinformedthatcuts,closuresandsackingsmaysavea
smallamountofmoneyintheshorttermbutthelongtermimpactonlocalcommunities
willbewhollynegative.Examplesofthewiderbenefitsofarchaeologyandhistoryare
legionandmanyhavebeendocumentedinRESCUENEWSandinpublicationssuchas
BritishArchaeology.Youwillfindlinkstowebsitescontainingusefulfactsandfiguresat
theendofthisdocumentbutifyouknowoflocalexampleswhichmakethecasethenuse
themastheywillbeparticularlyrelevanttolocalcouncillorsandMPs.

Obtainasmuchsupportaspossibleforyourconcernsthemorelettersthatare
writtenthemorelikelyitisthatnoticewillbetakenofthem.Itisalwaysbettertowritean
individualletterthantosignapetition.Circularsdistributedtolocalpeopleshouldsetout
themainconcerns,givethenamesandaddressesofindividualsandorganisationstowrite
toandshouldencouragepeopletoexpresstheirconcernsintheirownwords.Writing
shortpiecesforcommunityorparishmagazinesorforlocalnewspapersisanotherwayof
attractingattentionandencouragingconcernedindividualstojointhecampaign.The
samplelettersprovidedbelowcanbeadaptedtosuitlocalconcernsandspecificissues.
Sampleletters
Thefollowingexamplesaresuggestedoutlinesoflettersthatmightbeusefulin
specificcases.Itisimportanttoincluderelevantlocalinformationwhereverpossible.
Specificreferencestorecentmuseumexhibitions,servicesofferedtolocalschoolsand
communitygroupsandoutreachorcommunityactivitiesorganisedbyorincooperation
withthelocalHER/Museum/ArchaeologyUnitareessential.Youmayalsowantto
mentionspecificcontactsyouhavehadwiththeService/Museumeitherasanindividual
orasamemberofalocalheritageorarchaeologicalsociety.Essentiallythelettershouldbe
asspecifictothelocalcaseaspossibleandshouldnotlooklikeastandardformletteror
roundrobin.Asmentionedabove,youmightalsowanttocopyittothelocalnewspaper
orinternetforumtomakesureitiswidelydiscussed.
AfurtherpointistowriteandletcouncillorsoryourMPknowwhenaninstitution
hasbeenofparticularvalueorassistanceandhowmuchyouvaluethemasaresult.If
politicianshearthatamuseumorHERisvaluedbythevotingcommunitythentheywillbe
muchlessinclinedtocloseitdownandsacktheemployees.Examplesmightincludea
communityexcavationinwhichyouorfriendsorrelativestookpart,aparticularlygood
exhibitionordisplay(permanentortemporary)inalocalmuseum.Itisalwaysgoodto
emphasisethebenefitstotheeducationofyourchildrenoftheservicesprovidedbythe
museumorHER.
Copyyourletters(preferablybyemail)toRESCUE(contactdetailsbelow)andpost
detailsoftheproposedclosuresorcutsontheRESCUEFacebookpageorusethefeedback
formonourmapofcuts(contactdetailsinthefinalsection,below).Wecanthentakeup
theissueaswellandmakeourownrepresentationstotheCouncilconcernedaswellas
ensuringthatthematterisincludedinanydiscussionswehavewithrelevantgovernment
Ministers.Wewillnot,ofcourse,identifyyoubynameifyouwouldprefertobe
anonymous.
CutstoaHistoricEnvironmentRecordorArchaeologyService:
DearCouncillorX,
Iamwritingtoyoutoexpressmygraveconcernovertheproposaltoclose/impose
budgetcutsofXX%totheXXXshireArchaeologyService.TheArchaeologyServicedoes
vitalworkinensuringthatproposalsfordevelopmentconformtoexistingUKplanning
regulations(specificallytheNationalPlanningPolicyFramework)andtoEuropean

CommunityDirectivesonplanninganddevelopment.TheServiceisalsochargedwith
monitoringtheworkofarchaeologicalcontractorsinthecounty.Thestaffmaintainthe
countySitesandMonumentsRecord,anessentialresourceforawidevarietyofcommunity
andeducationalgroupswhoseworkwouldbevirtuallyimpossiblewithoutaccesstothe
rawdatapertainingtoourcountyspast.
Withonly[1/2/3/4]membersofstaffandaworkloadthatislikelytoincreaseas
economicrecoverygatherspace,theServiceisalreadyfullystretchedandthereisnoroom
forfurthercutstoeitherstaffinglevelsortotheoperatingbudget.Iurgeyoutoopposethe
proposedcutsandtoarguefortheretentionandadequatefundingofaservicewhichdoes
vitalworkinensuringthatthehistoricenvironmentofthecountysurvivesandisenhanced
forthebenefitofall.

Yourssincerely
XXXX

Cutstoorclosureofamuseum
DearCouncillorX
Iamwritingtoyoutoexpressmygraveconcernovertheproposedcutsto/closure
oftheXXXMuseum.Themuseumnotonlyholdsarchaeologicalandhistoricalarchives
relatingtothehistoryofXXX(town,village,city,region)butthestaffalsodoavitaljobin
workingwithlocalschoolsandcollegestoeducatechildrenandyoungpeopleaboutour
communitysrichandvariedheritage.
AmongstthearchivesheldinthemuseumarethoseoftheXXXcollectionwhichare
ofnationalimportance...(includerelevantdetails)
Educationalservicesincludeprovisionforvisitsbylocalschoolsinconnectionwith
thehistorysyllabusandthesearethreatenedbytheproposedcuts(includerelevantdetails)
ThemuseumattractsXX,XXXvisitorsannuallyandplaysasignificantpartinthe
localtouristindustryfromwhichmanylocalbusinessesgaindirectbenefit.Thesebenefits,
whichareprobablygenerallyunappreciated,willbelostiftheplantocut/closethe
museumareputintopractice.
WhileIappreciatethatthesearedifficulttimesandthatcarefulattentionhastobe
giventoexpenditurewhenbudgetsareunderpressure,Ibelievethatthedecisiontocut/
closethemuseumwillhaveanimpactonthelocalcommunityandonlocalbusinesses
whichwillbewhollynegative.Ibelievethatyoushouldlookontherelativelymodest
expenditureinvolvednotasacosttolocaltaxpayersbutasaninvestmentinthecultural
infrastructureofourcommunitythatisamplyrepaidinawidevarietyofways.
Yourssincerely
XXXX

Howtostructureyourcampaign

Thereisgreatvalueinindividualsactingalonetocampaignforlocalheritage
servicesbuttheimpactcanbemultipliedifanumberofpeoplejointogethereitherformally
orinformallytocampaignonaparticularissue.
Attheinformallevelyoucanencouragefriends,familyandworkcolleaguestowrite
tocouncillorsontheirownaccountandtoraisesuchissuesonthedoorstepatelectiontime.
Ifyouhavetimeandopportunity,trytoattendrelevantcouncilcommitteemeetingsandto
raisepointspertainingtothefundingofmuseumsandheritageservices.Thetimesof
committeemeetingswillbepostedonlocalauthoritywebsitesalthoughitcanbedifficultto
findtherightone.Ifyouareunabletoattend,yououghttobeabletotablequestionsby
letteroremail,referringtotheappropriatesectionoftheagendawhichshouldbeavailable
online.
Localarchaeological,historicalandheritagegroupsarethrivinginBritain,inpart
thankstoLotteryfundingbutprincipallybecauseofthehighlevelofinterestinthepast.If
youareamemberofoneofthese,trytomakesurethatthesocietyasabodymakes
representationstothelocalauthoritywhenevercutsareplanned.Ifseveralsimilaror
complementaryorganisationsexist,makesurethattheyallwriteletters.Itmightbeuseful
tocallameetingoflikemindedgroupsandindividualsperhapsaskingoneormore
Councillorstoattend.Ensurethatyouhaveaneffectivechairmantoleadthediscussion
andkeepittightlyfocussedontheissueathand.
Mostofourlocalmuseumscoverawiderangeofsubjectsandcutsorclosuresmay
affectanartgalleryornaturalhistorydepartmentjustasmuchastheywillhistoryand
archaeology.Makesurethelocalwildlifegroupsandotherrelevantinterestgroupsare
alsoactiveinopposingthecuts.Abroadlybasedcampaignwillbemoreeffectivethanone
whichpoliticianscanwriteoffasnarroworsectionalinitsremitandsupport.
Nationalorganisationsalsohavearoleincampaigningand,notunsurprisinglyas
thisdocumenthasbeenwrittenbyRESCUE,wewouldencourageyoutojoinRESCUEat
theearliestopportunity(http://rescuearchaeology.org.uk/join/).Whenitcomesto
campaigning,politicianslookatthesizeofthemembershipofcampaigninggroupsand
assesstheirsignificanceonthatbasis.Thisisofparticularimportanceincaseswhichwhere
publicenquiriesareinvolved.IfyoudontfeelthatRESCUErepresentsyourintereststhen
considerjoininganothergroupsuchastheCouncilforBritishArchaeology.Ifyourinterests
aremorecloselyrelatedtospecificaspectsofthebuiltorruralenvironmentthentherearea
widerangeofgroupswhichyoumayfindrelevant.TheseincludetheSocietyforthe
ProtectionofAncientBuildings,TheGeorgianSociety,TheVictorianSocietyandThe20thCentury
Society,CampaigntoProtectRuralEngland(CPRE)andTheNationalTrustallofwhomdo
excellentworkintheirownareasandwithwhomRESCUEhas,onoccasion,collaborated.
AllhavewebsiteswhichcanbefoundthroughGoogleoranyothersearchengine.Manyof
themruntheirowncampaignsandyoumayfindthatoneormoreofthesearerelevantto
issuesonwhichyouarecampaigning.TheCPREprovidesusefuladviceforcampaigners
here:http://www.planninghelp.org.uk/.
Facebookandothersocialnetworkshavebeenhighlyeffectiveinorganisinglocal
andregionalcampaignsonparticularissues.Youmayfindarelevantgroupalreadyin
existenceoryoumaywanttostartoneyourself.Sharelinksacrossgroupstospreadthe

wordmorewidely.UsefulcurrentpagesincludeSaveOurMuseums(UK)

,British
ArchaeologyinRuins?(https://www.facebook.com/groups/564419506902530/)andthe
Heritage&ArchaeologicalCrimeResearchInformationCollectionGroup
https://www.facebook.com/groups/heritagecrimeinfo/)butalmosteveryindividual
campaignhasitsownpage.RESCUE'sFacebookpagecanbefoundhere:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/20505278656/
Therearealsoavarietyofdirectdemocracywebsitesofferingtheopportunityto
launchorpublicisecampaignsonline.OneexampleoftheseisDigitalDemocracy:
http://www.digitaldemocracy.org.uk/about.php.Itwouldseemfromabriefglanceatthe
campaignscurrentlyrunningonthissiteandthelimitedamountofsupportthattheyhave
attractedthatitisbestusedaspartofavigorouscampaignratherthanasthemainmeans
oforganisingsuchacampaign. AVAAZand38Degreesofferoptionsforstartingpetitions
andonlinecampaignsbut,asmentionedabove,politiciansrespondbesttopersonalletters
andsomeevendismisspetitionsasunrepresentative.
Accentuatethepositive...
Protectingheritageservicesandthefundingthatallowsthemtoexistisnotonlya
matteroffightingtoprotectaserviceunderimminentthreat,importantthoughthisis.Itis
equallyimportanttoestablishheritageservicesasavitalpartoflocalcommunitiesand
communityactivities.Herewehaveaverydefiniteadvantageinthatarchaeologicaland
heritageprojectsarenotonlypopularwiththeparticipantsandvisitorsbutalsowiththe
localandnationalpress.Weneedtoemphasiseboththepopularityofsuchprojectsand
theirnumeroussocialandeconomicbenefitsthattheyentailandtomakesurethatthese
arewidelyappreciatedandreported.Asmentionedabove,localjournalismisindecline
butlocalpapersandmagazinesareusuallykeentobecontactedbypeoplewithstoriesthat
offerphotoopportunitiesandstorieswithapositivemessage.
OneparticularlygoodexampleofasuccessfulcommunityprojectwasDig
Manchester(http://www.digmanchester.org.uk/).Thisprojecthasnowexpandedto
coverthewholeofGreaterManchesterandlookssettorepeatthesuccessoftheinitial
project.Thenewproject,DigGreaterManchesterhasattractedpositivemediaattention
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ukenglandmanchester15635235and
http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/GetASpadeDigUpGreater
Manchesterwhiletheprojectblogcanbefoundhere:
https://diggreatermanchester.wordpress.com/
Ifyouareinvolvedwithsuchaproject,evenifonasmallerscale,makesurelocal
politiciansandthemediaknowallaboutitandareengagedwithit.Oneexampleofthisis
HeeleyCityFarminSheffieldwhichincludesarchaeologyamongstthemanyactivities
offeredtolocalpeople:
http://www.heeleyfarm.org.uk/page/id/4a1c97d7435a78987bf0753813998acc/Heritage/

Localpresscoverageisalwayspositive:
http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/youngsters_log_on_down_on_the_farm_1_426792
9.
Thefactpack
Thissectionisintendedtoprovidesomeguidanceontheresourcesthatareavailable
invariousareasandisorganisedinsectionscoveringthespecificanglesthatyoumight
wanttotakewhenaddressingaparticularissue.Thisisaworkinprogressandmore
resourceswillbeaddedasandwhenwehavetime.
TocontactRESCUEyoucanemailmembersoftheCommitteedirectlyoryoucane
mailourofficeinHertford.Thewebsitecanbefoundat:http://rescue
archaeology.org.uk/andcouncilmemberscontactdetailsarehere:http://rescue
archaeology.org.uk/?page_id=160.WealsohaveaFacebookpageunderourfulltitleof
RESCUETheBritishArchaeologicalTrustwherewepostitemsofnewsandmaintain
contactwithourmembers(http://www.facebook.com/groups/20505278656/).Youdo
nothavetobeapaidupmemberofRESCUEtouseeitherthewebsiteortheFacebookpage
althoughwewouldencourageanyonewithaconcernforarchaeology,heritageandrelated
subjectstojoinusandtomakeadirectcontributiontosavingourpast.Membershipdetails
canbefoundhere:http://rescuearchaeology.org.uk/membership/
Websitescontainingusefulinformationhavebeenlistedundervariousheadings
belowbutagoodstartingpointisoftentheHELMwebsite,partofthelargerEnglish
Heritagesite.Informationforgeneraluserscanbefoundhere:http://www.helm.org.uk/
andthereareindividualpageswhichareofrelevancetospecificusergroups,including
membersoflocalauthorities.
TheplanningsysteminEngland
AtpresentthekeyplanningpolicydocumentistheNationalPlanningPolicy
Framework(NPPF)whichreplacedPlanningPolicyStatement5:PlanningfortheHistoric
Environment(PPS5)attheendofMarch2012.ThisinturnreplacedPPG15andPPG16in
2010.YoumaystillseereferencestoPPS5andPPG16indocumentsandreportsbutthey
arenolongerinforceandhavebeenentirelyreplacedbytheNPPF.
ThetextoftheNPPFandrelateddocumentscanbefoundontheDepartmentof
CommunitiesandLocalGovernmentwebsitehere:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningsystem/planningpolicy
/planningpolicyframework/.
ThefulltextoftheNPPFisavailableheredesignedtosimplifytheprevious
system,itislessdauntingthanitmayappearandfamiliaritywithitisessentialforany
campaignthatinvolvesplanningmatters:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf

TheDCLGhavealsoproduceda'plainEnglish'guidetotheplanningsystem:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plainenglishguidetotheplanning
systemandhttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/powerbackinpeopleshandsto
haveasayoverfuturedevelopment
EnglishHeritagehavepublishedaveryusefulguidetothelaw,policyandguidance
relatingtoheritageprotectionhere:http://www.english
heritage.org.uk/professional/advice/hpg
Theintroductionsummarisesitscontentasfollows:Welcometothemost
comprehensiveonlineguidetoheritageprotectioninEngland.Thisisaguidetothelaw,
policyandguidancethatprotectstheheritageinourlistedbuildings,conservationareas,
scheduledmonuments,registeredparks,gardensandbattlefields,shipandotherprotected
wrecksites,WorldHeritageSites,nondesignatedarchaeologicalsites,locallistedbuildings
andotherheritageassets.
Europeanconventions
ThreeEuropeanconventionsareofrelevancetoarchaeologyandthehistoric
environment.TheEuropeanConventionontheProtectionoftheArchaeologicalHeritage,better
knownastheValettaConventionhasbeeninforcesince1992andasasignatory,theBritish
GovernmenthastoabidebyitsArticles(althoughRESCUEbelievesthatBritainis,infact,
inbreachofseveraloftheprovisionsoftheConvention).AswiththeNPPFitisless
dauntingthanitmayappear.SkipthepreambleandgostraighttotheArticleswhichare
straightforwardandclearlyphrased.Thedocumentcanbedownloadedfromhere:
http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/treaties/html/143.htm
AlsoofrelevanceistheEuropeanLandscapeConventionbetterknownastheFlorence
Convention.ItissomewhatlongerthantheValettaConventionandwhileitisnot
specificallyconcernedwitharchaeology,someofitsprovisionsmightbeofrelevancein
specificcircumstances.Itcanbedownloadedhere:
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/landscape/
TheConventionontheValueofCulturalHeritageforSociety(betterknownastheFaro
Convention)setsoutrightsandresponsibilitiesenjoyedbyECcitizensinrespectoftheir
culturalheritagealthoughasyettheUKdoesnotappeartobeasignatoryandsois
presumablynotboundbyitsprinciples.Thetextoftheconventioncanbereadhere:
http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/199.htm
Afullerguidetointernationalagreementsandtreatiescanbefoundhere:
http://www.english
heritage.org.uk/professional/advice/hpg/coventionstreatiesandcharters/
Economicregenerationandthesocialbenefitsofthehistoricenvironment
Thecommoncryofthosehostiletoarchaeologyandthehistoricenvironmentisthat
itrepresentsaluxurythatthecountrycannotaffordandthatitmustbesacrificedinthe
interestsofeconomicregenerationanddevelopment.Thisisawhollyfallaciousargument

andonethatissatisfactorilycontradictedbyanumberofeasilyaccessibledocumentsand
surveys.Ofthese,theannualHeritageCountsreportisperhapsthemostuseful.
HeritageCountsisanannualsurveyoftheroleoftheheritagesectorinwidersocial
andeconomicspheres.ItiscarriedoutonbehalfoftheHistoricEnvironmentForumand
theresultsareavailablethroughtheEnglishHeritagewebsite:http://hc.english
heritage.org.uk/.Adifferentthemeisemphasisedeachyear.In2014thethemewasthe
valueandimpactofheritage(http://hc.englishheritage.org.uk/valueandimpact
heritage/)whileasummarycanbefoundhere:http://hc.english
heritage.org.uk/content/pub/2014/heritagecountssummary2014.pdf
In2013thethemewasskillsinthehistoricenvironment.In2012itwasHeritageand
Resilience.In2011thesurveytookasitsthemethehistoricenvironmentandtheBig
Society.In2010thethemewas,usefullyforourpurposeshere,wasthepositiveeconomic
impactofthehistoricenvironment.Theearlierreportsareavailablethroughtheproject
archive:http://hc.englishheritage.org.uk/archive/PreviousReports/
TheHeritageCountsreportscontainawealthoffactsandfigureswhichclearly
demonstratetheverypositiveeffectofinvestmentinthehistoricenvironmentintermsof
returningaprofitbothlocallyandnationally.Thisshouldbethefirststopwhenyouhave
toargueagainstthosewhosaythatheritageprotectionrepresentsacosttotheeconomyor
aluxurythatwecantafford.Infact,asthefiguresclearlyshow,thehistoricenvironment
representsasignificantsourceofincomeforthenationaswellasforlocalandlarger
businessesandmakesaveryhealthyoverallcontributiontoGDPandtheeconomichealth
ofthenationgenerallyandtospecificregionsindividually.In2013thiswassome26.4
billionanincreaseof5.8billionwhencomparedwith2010(
Asamajorinvestorinthehistoricenvironment,theHeritageLotteryFund(HLF)has
alsocarriedoutresearchintothevalueofthehistoricenvironment,assummarisedhere:
http://www.hlf.org.uk/aboutus/valueheritageandhttp://www.hlf.org.uk/about
us/researchandevaluation/heritageresearchreports
Asearchontheinternetcanalsobringusefuldocumentspertainingtospecific
regionsorlocalitiessuchasthisforNorthernIreland:
http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/builthome/information/value_of_heritage.htm
Educationandtraining
Thehistoricenvironmentandarchaeologyinparticulararewidelyacknowledgedto
beofgreatimportanceineducationatalllevels.TheHistoricalAssociationexiststo
promotethevalueofhistoryineducationandtheirwebsitemaycontaininformationof
valueiftheeducationalserviceprovidedbyamuseumisunderthreat.Itcanbefound
here:http://www.history.org.uk/about/and
http://www.history.org.uk/resources/about_news_1929.html
TheCouncilforBritishArchaeologyalsohaveresourcesdevotedtoeducationhere:
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/education.
TheCulture,MediaandSportCommittee

TheCultureMediaandSportcommitteeistheprincipalHouseofCommons
Committeewhichdealswithmattersrelatedtoarchaeology,museumsandthehistoric
environment.InMarch2011itpublishedanimportantreportonthefundingofartsand
heritageandthisincludesnotonlytheconclusionsofthecommitteeitself(whichwere
favourabletowardsheritageandcriticalofsomeaspectsofgovernmentpolicy)butalsotwo
additionalvolumesofwrittenevidencesubmittedbyvariousbodies,includingRESCUE.
Themainreportcanbereadhere:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmcumeds/464/46402.h
tm
Thegovernmentsresponseishere:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7855
4/Govtreponse_ArtsHeritagefundingCM8071.pdf
TheAllPartyParliamentaryGrouponArchaeologyhasbeenmentionedabove
althoughitsone(andsofaronly)reportisnowratheroutofdate.
Otherorganisations
Therearenumerousorganisationsconcernedwitharchaeologyandheritageinallits
diverseaspectswhichmaybeofassistanceinorganisingacampaign.Naturallywebelieve
thatRESCUEoffersauniqueanddistinctiveapproachbutweregularlyworkwith
colleaguesfromotherbodiestopresentabroadfronttogovernment,businessand
commerce.Thefollowinglistisnotexhaustiveandwillbeupdatedinthefuture.Itmaybe
readinconjunctionwiththelinkslistontheRESCUEwebsite:http://rescue
archaeology.org.uk/?page_id=207.
TheInstituteforArchaeologists(IfA)maintainsawebsitehere:
http://www.archaeologists.net/andalthoughtheInstituteisprimarilyconcernedwith
professionalarchaeologyandhasareasrestrictedtomembersonly,thesitedoesinclude
someusefulinformationforthecampaigner.
TheCouncilforBritishArchaeology(CBA)hasalargewebsitewhichincludes
manysubsections.Itcanbefoundhere:http://www.britarch.ac.uk/

.TheCBAhasa
regionalstructureandyoumaywanttocontactmembersinyourregioninordertoco
ordinateyourcampaignonsomespecificissue.Specificinformationoncampaigningcan
befoundhere:http://www.britarch.ac.uk/conservation/protection

,here
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/sites/www.britarch.ac.uk/files/node
files/What_to_do_about_cuts.pdfandherehttp://new.archaeologyuk.org/speakup/
TheHeritageAllianceisacoordinatingbodywhichbringstogethermanydiverse
heritageandrelatedgroups.Theirwebsite(http://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/)
includesdetailsoftheirstanceonmanydifferentissuesandincludesausefullistoftheir
members:http://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/ourmembers/
TheArchaeologyForumdescribesitselfasagroupingofindependentbodies
concernedwiththearchaeologicalinvestigation,managementandinterpretationofthe
UK'shistoricenvironmentbothburiedremainsandstandingstructures. Thewebsitecan

befoundhere:http://www.britarch.ac.uk/archforum/andincludesthetextofletters
writtentoministers,MPsandothersconcernedwithspecificissuesandcampaigns.As
suchitmaybeausefulsourceofdataandinformation.
Furtherreading
Asmentionedabove,manycampaigninggroupsandsomecharitieshaveproduced
guidancetoassisttheirsupportersinmountingandsustainingcampaignsandtherearea
numberofbooksonthesubject.Wehavenotreviewedtheseindetailbutasearchonthe
Amazonwebsiteundercampaigningbroughtupthefollowingtitleswhichseemtobe
relevant(allareavailablefromotheroutletsaswellasAmazon):
Peoplepower:http://www.amazon.co.uk/PeoplePowergrassrootscampaigning
Difference/dp/1905261594/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1317829881&sr=813
Rebel,rebel:http://www.amazon.co.uk/RebelProtestorsBibiVan
Zee/dp/0852650957/ref=pd_sim_b2
Howtowincampaigns:http://www.amazon.co.uk/HowWinCampaignsSteps
Success/dp/1853839620/ref=pd_sim_b1
Notinourbackyard:http://www.amazon.co.uk/NotOurBackYard
Neighbourhood/dp/0954821947/ref=sr_1_27?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317830261&sr=1
27
Wewouldbeinterestedtoknowofanyotherbooks,pamphletsorwebsitesthat
haveprovedparticularlyusefulandanythoughtsyoumayhaveonthoselistedabove.
Andfinally...
Thisdocumentisnotintendedtobecompleteinitspresentformandwillbe
updatedinthenearfuturewithmoresuggestionsandideas.Wewouldbeparticularly
interestedfromhearingfromcampaignersinScotland,WalesandNorthernIrelandsothat
wecanextendthedetailsasappropriate.Wewouldalsobeparticularlyinterestedtohear
ofanycampaignsthathavebeensuccessfulsothatwecanincludedetailsofthelessons
learnedandcirculatethemamongstothercampaigners.
PleasefeelfreetocontactRESCUEforadviceorsupportinanycampaignthatyou
areundertaking.Wearealsokeentohearofanyissuesthatwemayhaveoverlookedor
missedaswerelyonourmembersandsupporterstobeoureyesandearsontheground.
Asnotedabove,contactdetailsforallthemembersoftheRescueCouncilcanbefoundon
ourwebsite(http://rescuearchaeology.org.uk/)andyoucanreportthreatstomuseums
andotherinstitutionsdirectlyusingtheonlineformhere:
http://rescue.crowdmap.com/reports/submit/.
Wewillnotdiscloseyournameordetailstoanyonewithoutyourpermissionand
willalwaysdoourverybesttoprotectoursources.

FightingBackversion5.2
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