Tag: Department for Culture and Media

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2024.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport ministers and portfolio details.

The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

• Overall responsibility for strategy and policy across the department

Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Arts, and Tourism:

• Arts and Libraries
• Creative Industries
• Museums and cultural property
• Cultural diplomacy and soft power
• Tourism
• Heritage

Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth

• Sport
• Media
• Civil Society
• Youth
• Ceremonials

Baroness Fiona Twycross, Minister for Gambling

• Gambling

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2024.

The Flow Country has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Site to become world’s first peatland bog to gain world heritage status
Becomes Scotland’s first natural world heritage site, joining the likes of the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef
The Flow Country has become the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been granted the accolade today, at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee.

The landscape, which is widely considered to be the largest area of blanket bog in the world covering around 1,500 square miles in Caithness and Sutherland, has become the UK’s 35th UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the world’s first ever peatland site to gain world heritage status.

The site will also become Scotland’s first natural world heritage site and joins a very exclusive list of natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including The Grand Canyon and The Great Barrier Reef.

It will be the seventh Scottish site, joining St Kilda and the Forth Bridge, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Scotland.

Due to the nature of the site, this listing is also expected to bring new opportunities for local people through the creation of green jobs in landscape restoration and conservation.

The Flow Country is home to a wide range of wetland and moorland species, including many birds, such as the red-throated diver, golden eagle and short-eared owl and has been considered to be of outstanding universal value due to its remarkable diversity, the home that it provides for these species and the role it plays in storing approximately 400 million tonnes of carbon in the north of Scotland.

The news follows the announcement of Gracehill in Northern Ireland receiving World Heritage Status, making this the second new addition to the list of UK World Heritage Sites today.

UK Government Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

It is fantastic to see the UK adding two new sites to the World Heritage List in the space of a day – of historical and natural significance respectively.

The Flow Country is one of our most precious resources, as a vital habitat for many species and a key site for carbon capture that continues to inform our understanding of how blanket bog can be used to help mitigate climate change.

It is right to recognise this truly inspiring landscape and I look forward to working closely with counterparts in Scotland to showcase this important addition to our UK World Heritage Sites.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

Scotland has a rich history of UNESCO World Heritage sites with six spread across our country from Heart of Neolithic Orkney to New Lanark, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh to St Kilda and I am delighted the Flow Country has become Scotland’s seventh.

Thanks to a strong endorsement from the UK Government the Flow Country, which has international importance as a habitat and for the diverse range of rare and unusual breeding birds it supports, is now the first peatland site on the World Heritage list.

Acting Scottish Government Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said:

This is a truly momentous day for Caithness and Sutherland, and indeed Scotland as a whole.

The Flow Country is an area of truly outstanding natural beauty and its diverse ecosystems and peatlands are a vital part of our efforts to combat climate change and nature loss. This new global prominence will help preserve the area for many generations to come.

I want to congratulate the Flow Country Partnership and everyone who has worked so hard towards this tremendous achievement. Their passion and determination has not only elevated the Flow Country to UNESCO World Heritage Status, but has ensured its protection far into the future.

Bid lead for the Flow Country World Heritage Site project and NatureScot Head of Operations for the North of Scotland, Graham Neville, said:

World Heritage status for the Flow Country is a momentous moment for Scotland’s people and their beloved landscape. This successful bid is testament to the hard work and determination of the Flow Country World Heritage project team as well as community members, scientific experts, businesses, landowners and public bodies from across the Flow Country who have been so generous with their time, knowledge and expertise to shape the bid for the benefit of the whole area. World Heritage Site status will lead to greater understanding of the Flow Country and raise the profile of Scotland’s peatlands globally for their value as biodiverse habitats and important carbon sinks. It is a wonderful recognition of the expert stewardship of farmers and crofters in maintaining this incredible ecosystem as a natural legacy for future generations.

Professor Mike Robinson, Non-Executive Director, Culture at the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO says:

We are delighted that the Flow Country has been inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value. World Heritage status recognises the global importance of the Flow Country and its peat bogs, not only as an important ecosystem for wildlife but also, through their carbon storage, as a critical defence against the impact of climate change. In this sense, World Heritage and the protection afforded to it will contribute directly to sustainable development.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for meeting the requirements of the World Heritage Convention within the UK. This includes maintaining and reviewing the Tentative List of sites, formally nominating new sites, and ensuring existing sites are conserved, protected and given a life in the community.

The other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland are St. Kilda, Edinburgh Old Town and New Town, The Heart of Neolithic Orkney, New Lanark, The Antonine Wall and The Forth Bridge.

The first UNESCO World Heritage Sites were announced in 1986. The full list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK and Overseas Territories are:

Cultural:

• Blaenavon Industrial Landscape (2000)
• Blenheim Palace (1987)
• Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church (1988)
• Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (1986)
• City of Bath (1987)
• Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (2006)
• Derwent Valley Mills (2001)
• Durham Castle and Cathedral (1986)
• Frontiers of the Roman Empire (1987,2005,2008)
• Gorham’s Cave Complex (2016)
• Heart of Neolithic Orkney (1999)
• Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda (2000)
• Ironbridge Gorge (1986)
• Maritime Greenwich (1997)
• New Lanark (2001)
• Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (1995)
• Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church (1987)
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal (2009)
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2003)
• Saltaire (2001)
• Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales (2021)
• Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (1986)
• Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey (1986)
• The English Lake District (2017)
• The Forth Bridge (2015)
• The Great Spa Towns of Europe (2021)
• Tower of London (1988)
• Jodrell Bank Observatory (2019)

Natural:

• Dorset and East Devon Coast (2001)
• Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast (1986)
• Gough and Inaccessible Islands (1995,2004)
• Henderson Island (1988)

Mixed:

• St Kilda (1986,2004, 2005)

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2024.

Moravian Church settlement in the Georgian village of Gracehill, Northern Ireland has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Settlement becomes Northern Ireland’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site and the 34th UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK
Joins the likes of the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon National Park and Machu Picchu on the World Heritage List
The Gracehill Moravian Church settlement in County Antrim has become the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee today.

The site was nominated as part of a transnational effort led by the United States to achieve World Heritage Status for Moravian Church settlements founded in the 18th century, alongside other sites in Herrnhut, Germany and Bethlehem in the United States.

Each of these settlements exemplifies the Moravian Church’s spiritual, societal, and ethical ideals that aimed at the creation of a religious community and found expression in a distinctive style of town planning and architecture.

Founded in 1759, Gracehill includes distinctive Moravian buildings, including a particular type of congregation building known as Gemeinhaus, a church, choir houses and a cemetery. There is an active congregation present at the site today, who continue Moravian traditions.

Gracehill is the best preserved example of a settlement representing the Moravian ideal in the UK and Ireland and the only example built on the island of Ireland, with its urban plan clustered around a central green square.

It becomes Northern Ireland’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the first being Giant’s Causeway, which was listed in 1986.

UK Government Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

Gracehill has been rightly cherished by the local community since its foundation in 1759 as a town built around the central values of equality and tolerance and I am glad to see it gain the recognition that it deserves.

I look forward to working together with the international community and my counterparts in Northern Ireland to celebrate the Gracehill site and ensure the Moravian traditions live on to be passed onto future generations.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson, said:

I am delighted to see the Moravian Church settlement becoming a new member of the globally renowned list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This is an exciting moment for the community of Gracehill and a huge achievement for everyone involved in the bid. The significance of it is carried throughout Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.

Northern Ireland has a rich heritage and is home to many culturally significant sites, and I have no doubt this accolade will encourage more visitors to come and see them for themselves.

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said:

I am delighted that the cultural importance of Gracehill to the world has been recognised through the UNESCO designation.  In recent years, my department has worked with the Gracehill community to maintain the village and develop their World Heritage bid. We have supported listed building repairs and provided advice and, since the US formally decided to proceed in 2021, we have contributed to the nomination costs. Gracehill is a special place with an active community and this recognition of a small village on the world stage is a great endorsement, helping to remind us all that Northern Ireland has a fascinating heritage that is well worth exploring.

Dr David Johnston, Chair of Gracehill Trust said,

The prize of a cultural World Heritage listing is a huge good news story for Northern Ireland as a whole, something that everyone can share in and be proud of, with the potential to promote understanding and reconciliation and bring social, economic and cultural benefits right across the region now and for generations to come.

We are fortunate and thankful to have had the enthusiastic support of the whole community, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as the enthusiasm of our international partners.

Professor Mike Robinson, Non-Executive Director, Culture at the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO said:

We are delighted that the Moravian Church Settlements, including Gracehill in Northern Ireland, Herrnhut in Germany, and Bethlehem in the United States of America, have been inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of their Outstanding Universal Value. Along with Christiansfeld, a Moravian Church Settlement (Denmark) that was inscribed onto the World Heritage List in 2015, the inscription not only represents the international reach of the Moravian community, but also highlights the opportunities, where appropriate, for World Heritage transnational-serial nominations to bring communities together through their shared histories.

Notes to editors:

The UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for meeting the requirements of the World Heritage Convention within the UK. This includes maintaining and reviewing the Tentative List of sites, formally nominating new sites, and ensuring existing sites are conserved, protected and given a life in the community.

The first UNESCO World Heritage Sites were announced in 1986. The full list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK and Overseas Territories are:

Cultural:

• Blaenavon Industrial Landscape (2000)
• Blenheim Palace (1987)
• Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church (1988)
• Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (1986)
• City of Bath (1987)
• Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (2006)
• Derwent Valley Mills (2001)
• Durham Castle and Cathedral (1986)
• Frontiers of the Roman Empire (1987,2005,2008)
• Gorham’s Cave Complex (2016)
• Heart of Neolithic Orkney (1999)
• Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda (2000)
• Ironbridge Gorge (1986)
• Maritime Greenwich (1997)
• New Lanark (2001)
• Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (1995)
• Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church (1987)
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal (2009)
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2003)
• Saltaire (2001)
• Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales (2021)
• Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (1986)
• Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey (1986)
• The English Lake District (2017)
• The Forth Bridge (2015)
• The Great Spa Towns of Europe (2021)
• Tower of London (1988)
• Jodrell Bank Observatory (2019)

Natural:

• Dorset and East Devon Coast (2001)
• Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast (1986)
• Gough and Inaccessible Islands (1995,2004)
• Henderson Island (1988)

Mixed:

• St Kilda (1986,2004, 2005)

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 15 July 2024.

Government to commit to supporting grassroots facilities that nurture our future football stars, and recognising the people who make that happen.

Girls and boys across the country to get more access to football to ensure legacy of UEFA EURO 2024 performance
Review of curriculum to protect time for PE and legislation to be brought forward to limit the number of kit items schools can require
The Government has set out plans to support the next generation of footballers in honour of the Three Lions’ achievement of reaching the UEFA EURO 2024 final against Spain last night.

This follows the recent high profile achievements of the Lionesses who took home the UEFA EURO 2022 trophy, and reached the final in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

To mark the achievements of our senior men’s and women’s teams, and inspire the next generation as we look ahead to hosting UEFA EURO 2028 across the UK and Ireland, the Government has set out plans to strengthen its support for grassroots football clubs and ensure that all children have access to sports at school.

This will help to ensure talent thrives wherever it is found and support a healthier nation – aligning with the missions to break down barriers to opportunity and build an NHS fit for the future.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The Three Lions and the Lionesses have brought the nation so much joy over the last years. The men’s team have excited and gripped us all with their talent and determination in never giving up.

Playing each week, I know the importance and joy that football and sport more widely brings to so many people. Inspired by the Three Lions, we are breaking down the barriers to opportunity which stops the new generation of footballers from taking to the field and will celebrate those who keep the beautiful game alive in our communities and clubs.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

The whole country is incredibly proud of England’s performance at Euro 2024 in reaching the final and we congratulate Spain as winners. The Three Lions have once again been a huge inspiration for our future lions and lionesses.

We will make sure that the legacy of recent successes are genuinely felt in communities, far and wide across the country. We’re absolutely committed to making sure every child has access to the sports they love both in schools and in grassroots clubs to not just help uncover the next generation of stars but to help create a healthier nation and change lives for the better.

Grassroots football clubs are at the beating heart of communities up and down the country. As we look forward from this moment to EURO 2028, the Government will put these clubs front and centre with a commitment to continued funding for grassroots facilities.

High-quality, inclusive facilities help clubs to get more people active and by backing these clubs, the Government will support more people to get onto the pitch wherever they live.

The government will support the Football Association in their ambition to double their number of gold-standard (3-star) community clubs by the time the first ball is kicked at EURO 2028 in June of that year. These clubs represent the best of community football – delivering more opportunities for women and girls and disabled players to get on the pitch, as well as playing an active role in local communities.

The Football Foundation will also be supported to continue their Home Advantage Programme. The scheme will support the transfer of the ownership and maintenance of grassroots football pitches directly to hundreds of clubs and community organisations, relieving the burden on local councils. This not only means improved facilities and a better playing experience – it means thriving community clubs which are inclusive and fit for the future. The programme will be open to cricket, rugby union and rugby league as well, spreading the benefits far beyond football.

The Government will work with football – including our Football Foundation partners, the Football Association and Premier League – to develop a funding package that will support these plans, which will be set out in due course.

We will also celebrate the service and commitment of those who keep grassroots football alive, and nurture the England stars of the future. Without the coaches, referees, groundskeepers and volunteers in grassroots football, there is no international success and the Prime Minister will look to recognise their work in the coming weeks and months.

The Government is also committed to protecting time for physical education in schools. The upcoming expert-led review of the curriculum will ensure that no child misses out on a broad range of subjects, including PE and sport.

Another barrier to children’s participation is often the need for costly branded PE kit as part of a school’s uniform policy. Whilst school uniform can play a vital role in helping set an appropriate tone for learning, instil a sense of belonging and act as a social leveller, it is clear that for many families the cost of school uniform, including PE kit, remains a financial hardship.

Parents should not have to think about the cost of a school uniform when choosing which school to apply for and no child should be excluded or discouraged from taking part in PE because they don’t have the right kit.

The Government will also be taking action to legislate to limit the number of items of branded uniform and PE kit that schools can require, helping reduce costs for parents and removing barriers to children accessing sport.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 19 June 2024.

A temporary export bar has been placed on a decorated table top once owned by King Louis XIV of France.

• The table top is valued at more than £7 million
• The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the table top for the nation

An export bar has been placed on a richly adorned table top once owned by Louis XIV, King of France.

The table top, valued at £7,500,000 (plus VAT of £300,000), is at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found to save it for the nation.

The table top is made of 111 panels of masterfully worked glass, using a mixture of filigree, or coloured canes of glass fused together, and pictorial panels made using the lampwork and casting technique. The glass panels are framed by a structure of gilded metalwork.

The pictorial panels depict a scene from the mythological story of the Judgement of Paris, as well as classical gods and goddesses, alongside scenes of hunting, flora and fauna.

The table top was listed in the inventory of furniture belonging to Louis XIV and has been attributed to one the most prominent and inventive glassmakers in France in the second half of the 17th century, Bernard Perrot of Orléans.

The decision to place an export bar on the item follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest. The committee made its recommendation on the basis that the table top met the second and third Waverley criteria for its outstanding aesthetic importance, and its outstanding significance to the study of the work of Bernard Perrot and other émigré glassmakers working in France in the 17th century.

It was also deemed to be of outstanding significance to the study of interiors in France, decorative art design, and the history of British industrialist collecting.

Committee Member Helen Jacobsen said:

Perrot’s stunning table top is unprecedented in the history of glass and of 17th-century decorative art. Its technical mastery and striking design have ensured its place as a masterpiece since it was first recorded in the collections of Louis XIV in 1681 and in its sophistication and artistic ambition the table is unsurpassed.

It is of enormous importance as a documentary milestone, both in Perrot’s career and in the technical development of 17th-century glass-making, and the opportunities for future research into materials and techniques, as well as design, interiors and collecting more generally, are enormous. The impact of the table top as an aesthetic object cannot be overstated and I really hope that it can find a home in a UK museum where it can be admired and enjoyed by the widest possible audience.

The decision on the export licence application for the table top will be deferred for a period ending on 18 October 2024 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the table top at the recommended price of £7,500,000 (plus VAT of £300,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for six months.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 19 June 2024.

A temporary export bar has been placed on a silk banner commemorating the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.

• The banner is valued at £45,000
• Export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to save the banner for the nation

An export bar has been placed on a silk banner commemorating the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.

The banner, valued at £45,000 (plus VAT of £9,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution) is at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found to acquire it for the nation.

The banner commemorates the abolition of slavery on 1 August 1834, following the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act by Earl Grey’s administration.

The marching banner, measured at 97 centimetres high and 89 centimetres wide, is made from dark blue silk lettered with gold, with a cotton backing. It retains the original wooden dowel hanger and has silk tassels.

Whilst there is no exact confirmation of when the banner was created, it is likely to have been made within a decade of 1834 and before the abolition of slavery in the USA in 1865 following the American Civil War (1861-1864).

The decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest. The banner was found to meet the first and third Waverley criteria, on the grounds that its departure from the UK would be a misfortune because it was so closely connected with our history and national life and was of outstanding significance to the study of social justice and social and political history.

Committee member Caroline Shenton said:

“As this country continues to grapple with the legacies of the British Empire and the enslavement of millions across its colonies, artefacts which shed light on this history are powerful witnesses to the past. Commemorative objects related to the abolition of slavery in the Empire are not uncommon but this banner is unique, as far as we know.

“Thanks to the temporary stop placed on its export, there is now an opportunity for a public institution to acquire it for the nation. There is much to research about who created this fluttering piece of gold and navy textile, and why, and where; about how it was used and deployed; and about its place within decolonising narratives exposing the political, social and economic ambiguities of abolition. But as well as its potential for scholarly exploration, this banner could become a profound means of public engagement as Britain’s reckoning with its slave-owning past continues. I therefore very much hope that a suitable home for this striking banner is found within this country, and soon.”

The decision on the export licence application for the banner will be deferred for a period ending on 18 August 2024 (inclusive). At the end of the first deferral period, owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the banner at the recommended price of £45,000 (plus VAT of £9,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

Notes to editors

1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the banner should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk .
2. Details of the object are as follows: a marching banner commemorating the abolition of slavery on  August 1st, 1834, and citing the statute for an Act for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British colonies. The banner, 97 cm high and 89 cm wide, is made from dark blue silk and cotton lettered in gold. It retains the original wooden dowel hanger and has silk tassels. The maker is unknown. The date on the object confers a terminus post quem of 1834 and was probably made within a decade of that but certainly before the abolition of slavery in the USA in 1865 following the Civil War (1861-1864).  The banner is in good condition with some slight wear on the tassels.
3. Provenance: London Private Collection.
4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 19 June 2024.

A temporary export bar has been placed on the 19th century volumes of ‘A history of the birds of Europe’ by H. E. Dresser.

• Volumes valued at nearly £130,000
• Export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the work

An export bar has been placed on the 19th century volumes of ‘A history of the birds of Europe’ by H. E. Dresser.

The books have a recommended price of £127,000 and are at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found to acquire them for the nation.

Henry Eeles Dresser (1838-1915) is considered to be one of the most influential ornithologists of the late 19th century. His work was cited by the likes of John Gould in his The Birds of Great Britain, and he published major articles on the subject of ornithology that helped progress the study of the behaviour of birds as a science.

Dresser used many leading bird illustrators to create the lithographic plates for the imagery that would accompany his text within these volumes. This particular set was Dresser’s private and unique copy which he had specially printed. They include the original colour proofs painted by the artists, which were used to produce all other published copies of the volumes.

The decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest. The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the volumes met the third Waverley criterion for their outstanding significance to the study of book publishing and printing technique, as well as ornithological representation, illustration, and annotation. They were also found to be of outstanding significance to the study of Dresser’s own collection.

Committee member Mark Hallett said:

This remarkable private edition of H. E. Dresser’s celebrated ‘A History of the Birds of Europe’ offers a rich research resource for all those interested in the history of ornithology and in the visual representation of birdlife in nineteenth-century Britain. Published for the author, and featuring numerous written annotations by Dresser himself, this series of seventeen volumes is further distinguished by the hundreds of original, hand-coloured plates that illustrate his text, produced by some of the leading wildlife artists of the day.

If saved for the UK, this unique version of ‘A History of the Birds of Europe’ would not only serve as a scholarly treasure-trove in its own right; it would also provide the perfect complement to the major Dresser archive of ornithological specimens held at the Manchester Museum.

The decision on the export licence application for the volumes will be deferred for a period ending on 18 September 2024 (inclusive). At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the volumes at the recommended price of £127,000. The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

Notes to editors

1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the volumes should contact the RCEWA on 0845 300 6200.
2. Details of the volumes are as follows: 17 volumes comprising 9 volumes of text (including index and supplement) and 8 volumes of plates. Large quarto size (320 x 250 mm). Author’s own unique copy with signed bookplate.
3. Provenance: Private collection of the author of the volumes, Henry Eeles Dresser (1838–1915) of which they were his own copy. They hold his bookplate and his signature, to index volume.
4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by the Arts Council (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 24 May 2024.

The Secretary of State has appointed Vicky Browning, Anna Collins, Liam Evans-Ford, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Saratha Rajeswaran and Michele Taylor as trustees of the Theatres Trust.

Vicky Browning

Appointed for a 3 year term commencing 01 April 2024.  .

Vicky’s career spans both the commercial and charity sectors. Having spent nearly 15 years leading charities, she is currently enjoying a series of roles as an interim chief executive, most recently for national advocacy charity POhWER and cross-sector collaboration body WIG (the Whitehall & Industry Group).

Previously, she led ACEVO, the network of civil society leaders for over five years, joining from CharityComms, the membership network for communications professionals in UK charities, where she was director for seven years.

A former magazine journalist, editor and publisher, Vicky worked at Haymarket Publishing, the UK’s largest privately owned publishing company for 16 years during the nineties and noughties, including a stint launching a new title in New York. She then enjoyed six years as an independent publishing consultant, offering management consultancy, product development and marketing services to a range of clients, before moving to the charity sector.

Anna Collins

Appointed for a 3 year term commencing 29 April 2024.

Anna Collins spent her early career in Scotland managing front of house operations for ATG and Glasgow Life across their portfolio of cultural venues. Anna became freelance in 2012 when she managed a London 2012 Olympic venue, followed by leading the development and operation of a new build competition venue for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games.

For the last ten years she has been providing strategic leadership for clients undertaking significant new build and refurbishment projects within the Arts. Previous clients include, The Guardian News and Media Group, The National Theatre, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Northamptonshire Council and The Factory International. More recently Anna acted as Project Director for the RIBA-award winning Mountview Academy of Performing Arts’ new home in Peckham, and for the last two years has been leading the Dunard Centre project, the UKs first Nagata / Chipperfield designed concert hall which will become a flagship venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.

Anna also sits on the committee of Edinburgh’s Royal High School project to develop Thomas Hamilton’s grade A listed building into a new performance space. Anna has a keen interest in architecture and is the co-founder of an award winning, sustainable accredited architecture practice alongside her husband.

Liam Evans-Ford

Appointed for a 3 year term commencing 01 April 2024.

Liam is Executive Director and CEO at Theatr Clwyd, taking up the post in 2016. Theatr Clwyd is the biggest producing theatre in Wales and the third biggest client of the Arts Council of Wales. During his time the organisation has increased its annual turnover from £5m to £7.2m, won UK Theatre, Olivier, and Stage awards for their work, and progressed an ambitious and essential £40m+ Capital redevelopment of the 1970’s building in Flintshire. The theatre has also been recognised for leading the way on social impact and has major partnerships and social prescription models in place with the NHS, Social Services and numerous housing associations, runs William Aston Hall, a 1000 seat concert venue in Wrexham, as well as Theatr Clwyd Music Trust which delivers music lessons to over 70 schools and 3000 young people each week.

Before joining Clwyd Liam was Associate Producer and Capital Development Associate at York Theatre Royal; General Manager and Producer at Sheffield Crucible Theatres.

Liam is Chair of Creu Cymru, the development agency for theatres, arts centres and theatre producers in Wales; sits on the Business Advisory Board for the North Wales Growth Deal, the Strategic Advisory Group for the North East Wales Investment Zone, and the Advisory Group for the UK wide Access Scheme, All In.

Tracy-Ann Oberman

Appointed for a 3 year term commencing 01 April 2024.

Tracy Ann Oberman is an actress , writer and theatre creator. She studied drama at Manchester University and is an alumni of Central School of Speech and Drama. Tracy Ann has had an extensive career both on stage and screen. She has been a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre and has worked extensively across the country’s regional theatres  and in the West End. Tracy Ann recently made British UK theatre history playing the first female, Shylock in  the hugely successful Merchant Of Venice 1936 which toured the country and transferred into the Criterion Theatre Piccadilly. She is passionate about theatre creativity and making the theatre experience exciting, enjoyable and accessible for all.

Saratha Rajeswaran

Appointed for a 3 year term commencing 01 April 2024.

Sara is Chief of Staff to the Group CEO at Aviva plc, a leading Insurance, Wealth and Retirement business in the UK, Ireland and Canada. Sara has almost twenty years’ experience in executive advice, corporate affairs and political consultancy. Previous roles include Director of External Affairs at the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Associate Director and Edelman and Chief of Staff to the CEO and Strategy Adviser to the Chairman of Network Rail. Sara has also worked for the UK Government as Special Adviser to two consecutive Environment Secretaries.

Sara co-authored A Portrait of Modern Britain with Rishi Sunak at Policy Exchange in 2014 and was a researcher to Professor Alison Wolf for her book The XX Factor: How Working Women Are Creating a New Society. Sara is also a Trustee of the National Centre for Social Research.

Sara studied Modern History and Politics at The Queen’s College, Oxford, then went on to train in classical voice at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, performing across the UK at many of the country’s great regional theatres.

Michele Taylor

Appointed for a 3 year term commencing 01 April 2024.

Michèle Taylor is Director for Change at Ramps on the Moon, having run her own business as a Disability Equality strategist and trainer since 1992. She has been a key part of the Ramps on the Moon endeavour since its inception, supporting arts organisations to enrich the stories they tell and the ways they tell them by elevating the place of disabled people in the mainstream performing arts.

Michèle has been working with cultural and heritage organisations over more than 30 years to embed systemic and structural change to ensure that their practices, policies and premises are open to disabled people. She has been the access consultant on a number of award-winning buildings, and she contributed to the second edition of Theatre Buildings, A Design Guide (ed. Margaret Shewring, 2024)

She is an accredited coach, registered psychotherapist, and has an MA in fine art photography.

In January 2022 her work was recognised when she was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List for services to disabled people and theatre.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the Theatres Trust are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Vicky Browning, Anna Collins, Liam Evans-Ford, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Michele Taylor have declared no significant political activity. Saratha Rajeswaran was a Special Adviser at DEFRA from 2019-2021.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 24 May 2024.

The Secretary of State has appointed Dame Mary Archer as Chair of The Royal Parks Board from 24 July 2024 until 23 July 2028.

Dame Mary Archer

Appointed for a 4 year term commencing 24 July 2024.

Dame Mary Archer is Chancellor of the University of Buckingham and a scientist by background. Her research interests lay in non-thermal methods of solar energy conversion to power and fuels, and she was the founder chair of the National Energy Foundation. She is a Companion of the Energy Institute and was awarded the Institute’s Melchett Medal in 2002 and the Eva Philbin award of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland in 2007.  She recently joined the Board of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as a non-executive director.

Dame Mary chaired the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum Group from 2015–2023.  She has had a long association with the NHS, sitting on the board of Cambridge University Hospitals from 1993 and chairing it from 2002 to 2012.  In 2012, she was appointed DBE for services to the NHS.

Among other commitments, Dame Mary is a Liveryman of the Salters’ Company and the incoming chair of the Salters’ Institute of Industrial Chemistry. She holds honorary DSc degrees from the University of Hertfordshire, Imperial College London and the University of Bradford.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chair of The Royal Parks Board is not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Dame Mary Archer has not declared any significant political activity. This appointment is subject to confirmation by the new administration as set out in the cabinet office pre-election guidance.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 21 May 2024.

Government appoints the National Youth Agency as the new body to run the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) for 2024/25.

• Young people will continue to have a say as the future of the UK Youth Parliament is secured
• National Youth Agency to take over UK Youth Parliament grant following closure of British Youth Council
• Funded by the Government, the UKYP will support hundreds of young people to represent the views of their peers

Young people across the UK will continue to have their say on the issues that matter most to them, following the announcement that the Government has appointed the National Youth Agency (NYA) as the new body to run the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) for 2024/25.

Established 25 years ago, the UKYP is made up of more than 300 young people aged between 11 and 18 years, elected as Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) to represent the views of their peers. Young people vote for their MYPs in elections every two years, which are held in over 70% of constituencies, and often in schools.

It has given thousands of young people opportunities to bring about social change through meaningful representation and campaigning on vital issues, ranging from climate change to mental health. Members meet regularly, including through an annual debate in the House of Commons.

Elected members also lobby the UK Parliament to take action on the subjects that matter most to those they represent. In 2023, the UKYP launched its campaign for Universal Free School Meals. The campaign was then used as the basis for the UKYP House of Commons sitting in 2023, where young people debated five key topics under the topic of Free School Meals.

Since 2011, the Government has funded the British Youth Council to deliver the UKYP programme. Following its closure in March 2024, the Government has worked rapidly to secure the future of UKYP, ensuring young people can continue to participate in the programme.

Minister for Civil Society and Youth, Stuart Andrew, said:

The Youth Parliament is a vitally important way for young people to become politically engaged and have their say on the issues that matter to them. It has also proven to have a positive impact in developing their confidence and leadership skills.

By securing the future of the Youth Parliament for the coming year, we are underlining how the Government is absolutely committed to creating opportunities for young people’s voices to be heard as voters and politicians of the future.

The NYA is a charity that works in partnership with organisations to support and improve services for young people, with a particular focus on youth work. They offer guidance, support, advice and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations.

The NYA will work with existing delivery partners, the regional youth work units in England, the Scottish Youth Parliament, Children in Wales, and consultants in Northern Ireland, to run the UKYP for 2024/25.

Leigh Middleton, Chief Executive of the National Youth Agency said:

Ensuring that young people have a voice on the issues that matter to them and being able to influence decision makers is a fundamental principle of youth work. We have moved swiftly to ensure that the necessary platforms are in place so that the Members of the UK Youth Parliament (MYPS) can meet throughout the year, alongside the support provided by local authorities and regional youth work units.

Through the Make Your Mark survey and other activities undertaken regionally, the MYPs will continue to make a valuable contribution towards political debate on youth matters, whilst developing their skills and confidence in the process.

Ellie Bealing MYP, Member of Youth Parliament for Somerset 2022 – Present said:

The National Youth Agency’s appointment secures youth voice across the UK, at a time in which its need is great. As MYPs, our work can continue with the knowledge of national recognition and the opportunity to unite as committed young people. Youth Parliament has proven that it is vital to allow our generation to speak of the issues that motivate us, empowering others and gaining the attention of changemakers.

Haydn Cutler MYP, Member of Youth Parliament for Kent 2022 – Present said:

It is great to hear that the important work of UKYP will continue, with our organisation essential in the continuance of youth voice within UK politics, and I know the NYA will continue to enable this. From the discussions I’ve had, it is clear today’s announcement will bring relief to many fellow MYPs, and I would like to give my thanks to all who worked tirelessly for this outcome.

Jamie Burrell, UK Youth Parliament Steering Group said:

Since BYC announced their closure, the Steering Group, the programme’s young leaders, have been working to ensure that Members of Youth Parliament will be able to take up their roles and make a difference in their communities and beyond. I’m delighted that the National Youth Agency will deliver that this year and I’m committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a sustainable long-term future for the UK Youth Parliament.

Funding for the UK Youth Parliament programme builds on the Government’s commitment to providing every young person with the opportunity to have the best start in life and to maximise their potential.

In 2022, the Government announced its ‘National Youth Guarantee’, that every young person aged 11 to 18 years old in England will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities by 2025, backed by an investment of more than £500 million.

As part of this, the Government has allocated £12 million to the #iwill Fund, which enables more young people to take part in social action via activities such as volunteering and fundraising. Funding has created over 60,000 opportunities for young people to get involved.

Notes to editors:

• The Government will announce further details on future suppliers in due course.

About the National Youth Agency

The National Youth Agency (NYA) is passionate about the right of every young person to be able to access the personal, social, and educational development opportunities provided by youth work.

As the professional, statutory and regulatory body for youth work and youth services in England, it sets the occupational standards for youth work and offers accreditation for professional development, as well as access to training and CPD through its online Academy. Its Youth Work Practice Standards and Safeguarding Standards provide those delivering or commissioning youth work with a framework for youth work to ensure it is responsive to need, is being delivered by suitably qualified staff and is safe. Its National Curriculum for Youth Work sets out the educational framework for youth work.

The NYA has extensive experience of managing large complex projects and partnerships including bursary funding for youth work qualifications on behalf of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the successful NatWest Thrive programme. Its annual National Youth Sector Census aims to create an accurate baseline of youth sector provision to help inform policy making, commissioning and funding for youth work.

For further information contact Kate Dawson, Head of Communications on kated@nya.org.uk or visit https://www.nya.org.uk