If any regard is to be had to the general beauty of
the landscape, the natural material of the special countryside should be used
instead of imported material
(William Morris: Arts and Crafts Movement, 1890)
Talking about Technology in
Stamford, Lincolnshire focuses on Building and Conservation Technology due to
the nature of the town's conservation status. Many of the age old building
crafts have remained intact and have subsequently become part of our heritage.
For instance, Collyweston Slating, brick production and stone masonry still use
local materials from the immediate landscape, therefore imbuing a sense of
distinctive local colour and history.
Projects such as Talking about
Technology are important because they are in the process of not only
trying to conserve oral histories but also recording information about the fast
disappearing traditional skills that these building craftsmen have used locally
for generations. For example the stone slater has demanded special knowledge,
expertise and skills and as English Heritage suggests:
In times of rising unemployment in
rural areas, we should take the opportunity to reinvest in these traditional
local skills and at the same time ensure the preservation of our stone slate
roofing tradition, a vital part of our heritage.
(English Heritage)
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