Farewell talk by history group president
THE archaeologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, Simon Buteux, has been President of Kidderminster and District Archaeological and Historical Society since the 2005-2006 season. On Wednesday, March 23, Simon will be giving his final Presidential Lecture.
Simon first became president when he was a lecturer at Birmingham University and Head of the then Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit. His work in Birmingham included the restoration and opening to the public of the Coffin Works. He currently works for Historic England as Partnerships Team Leader for London, where he is responsible for, amongst other things, heritage at risk in the capital.
The title of his lecture this year is: The Crystal Palace and the Dinosaurs. Simon will tell the story of
Joseph Paxton’s famous Crystal Palace, first erected in Hyde Park in 1851 for the Great Exhibition and then moved in 1854 to what was intended to be its permanent location at Sydenham in south east London. The palace burnt down in 1936, but elements survive, such as the Grade II* listed Subway, and parts of Paxton’s once magnificent park. The most important survival, however, is that of the Grade I listed Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, the first life-sized reconstruction of prehistoric beasts from the deep geological past and a landmark in science education and popularisation of international importance. Simon will also discuss current efforts to conserve the Subway and the Dinosaurs, both on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, using cuttingedge technology.
The meeting starts at 7.30pm in the annexe to St George’s Church, Radford Avenue, Kidderminster, DY10 2ES. The annexe is spacious and wellventilated with seating that can be moved to accommodate preferences for social distancing. Feel free to wear a mask if you wish to do so. There is a small charge for visitors, who are very welcome.
For more information about the Society log on at www.kdahs.org.