BLF Review 2023

In 2023, The Building Limes Forum has had a year of growth. Building upon the excitement following the return to normal duties post-COVID-19, the Management and Trustees have been enlivened to drive a new and innovative future for the Building Limes Forum, our members, and the built environment that we serve. As such, a considerable amount of time has been spent reflecting on our purpose, examining our unique position and envisioning a new future for the Building Limes Forum. This has primarily focused on how the Building Limes Forum can continue to better serve our members and the lime community in new and innovative ways, reach new and wider audiences, and help to overcome industry-wide barriers.

Activities continue to benefit the repair, reuse, and adaptation of existing buildings, but also the construction of new buildings using lime. Focus remains on the benefit of lime as a sustainable and carbon-friendly material, which has driven debate and technical discussions on the variety and use of lime world-wide. We have continued to spread our message through a variety of mediums including: the annual Journal of the Building Limes Forum, quarterly newsletters, and working to bolster our social media presence. With Alison Henry appointed as the Forum’s Journal Editor and Victoria Flintoff joining as volunteer Journal Administrator, the publication backlog has swiftly been remedied and the quality of submissions has continued to increase.

Long-time Administrator Rosemary Mann continued her transition to retirement with roles of membership and finance being gradually transitioned to BLF Manager, Tyler Lott Johnston. Rosemary’s full retirement is planned in Spring of 2024, when she will transition to an advisory capacity to assist where needed.

The 2023 Conference and Gathering and AGM was held at the University of Lincoln. As the first gathering hosted by the Building Limes Forum since the COVID-19 pandemic, it found outstanding success. Attracting delegates from nearly twenty countries, it was truly an electrifying event with robust discussion, fresh ideas, and renewed connections. This has catalysed the Forum with new thinking and has shaped plans on how to become a more modern, sustainable, and robust organisation. The Baker Memorial Lecture, delivered by celebrated plasterer Philip Gaches, reflected on his years of membership with the Forum, the connections made, and the role of the Forum in the advancement of his own career. With notes of nostalgia, humour, and encouragement, it was a memorable and renewing event for all.

The BLF records its deepest appreciation for the conference gathering committee for the organisation of such a successful event. Of particular note is appreciation for the extraordinary efforts of Alison Henry and Maria-Elena Calderon for their leadership, direction, and countless hours of work, for which the gathering would not have been possible. The BLF also records thanks to the speakers, volunteers, local hosts, and delegates for their support of the gathering and the University of Lincoln for hosting the gathering.

Following the excitement of the gathering and AGM, the Committee of Management (Trustees) saw new leadership bring in lively energy, fresh ideas, and new directions as it welcomed first time Trustees Jamie Wallace, Daahir Mohamed, Dr Elizabeth Laycock, and Corey Lane. The BLF also celebrated the induction of its youngest honorary member at the 2023 AGM, Jack David Douglas Johnston, who was born to BLF manager Tyler Lott Johnston in the months prior. The moment was particularly poignant as the proposal was initiated from one of the Forum’s founding members, James Simpson OBE. The moment represented a blessing and promise of new generations and a truly bright future for the Forum.

Plans for future periods

Strategic review and organisational sustainability remain priority for the upcoming periods, as ensuring the longevity and robustness of the Forum is ultimately paramount to the success of our aims. An assessment of staff roles will be undertaken with an aim to modernise and improve internal operations where possible, freeing up valuable consultant time to more measurable, impactful aims for the Forum’s purpose. New role structure will aim to support future Forum aims, with a plan to widely renew social media, communications, and web-based communications. Hopes remain to review Forum branding and protection of the Forum’s unique identity with an aim to streamline membership structure, chapter formations, clarify strategic aims annually, and monitor performance metrics on a real-time basis.

It is hoped that through a new website and utilising integrated software systems, the Forum will be able to better serve members, audiences, and the lime community, whilst attracting new audiences, funding. and offering new events and offerings.

The 2024 Conference will be held in Brighton, with an aim to begin a healthy pipeline of events both in-person and online following.

It is hoped that the Journal of the Building Limes Forum will see the publication of two volumes to remedy the pandemic deficit including Volume 29 (2022) and Volume 30 (2023). Newsletters will continue to inform members of best practice, research, and current developments in the use of lime in buildings, whilst offering opportunities to better support members.

 

BLF Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023