NATURAL STONE INSTITUTE
1st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

19th September 2002

The Inaugural Meeting of the Natural Stone Institute was held at Stirling Castle on 19th September 2001. Some 70 people attended, illustrating the enthusiasm and support for the objectives of the Natural Stone Institute. Professor Gordon Benson gave a stimulating account of his concept behind the design of new Museum of Scotland and the use of Clashach sandstone.

Prior to the Inaugural meeting a Minute of Agreement between Scottish Stone Liaison Group and Natural Stone Institute, setting out Objectives and Tasks, was finalised. A Minute of Agreement between Historic Scotland and the Scottish Stone Liaison Group, signed in January 2002, confirmed funding for a period of two years. These Agreements authorised the establishment of an independent Natural Stone Institute as a Charity and Company limited by Guarantee. Given the circumstances of its formation and its present funding, which originates from the Scottish Stone Liaison Group, the NSI will be administered a Board of Directors common to both organisations. The SSLG-NSI Agreement (August 2001) provides for the SSLG's administrative role for a period of three years from September 2001 during which time the NSI is charged with the responsibility of securing new funding to meet its long term objectives. A Memorandum and Articles of Association have been drawn up and ratified by the Board of Directors. Application to become a Company limited by Guarantee has been accepted by Companies House and Charitable Status has since been confirmed.

The NSI Steering Committee was set up following the Inaugural meeting in Stirling in September 2001. The Committee met three times: in October 2001, and in April and August 2002. A core of 30 people who expressed interest in actively supporting the NSI were invited to these meetings.

At the first meeting it was agreed to set up Working Groups covering Funding, Research, Education & Training and Publications. Additional administrative and structural tasks were undertaken by Alan McKinney (CEO of the SSLG and secretary to the NSI Steering Committee). Individuals with interests in these fields have contributed to the development of various themes. We are very heavily dependent on the voluntary effort of individuals and I should like to thank all who have contributed to our achievements during the first year.

We have formally circulated membership literature in the past months but we recognise that corporate and individual membership fees alone will not provide enough financial support for the organisation and its administration. A survey of potential funding bodies has been undertaken and a number have been approached for financial support. In its new structure following the AGM, the Finance and Funding Committee will concentrate on the crucial matter of securing funding.

Alan McKinney, acting as secretary to the Steering Committee has provided all the secretarial administrative support, including the mailings you receive and organisation of meetings and other events. He has prepared and revised the NSI Draft Rules and Bye Laws. These have been discussed and amended by the Steering Committee and have been approved by the Board of Directors. Subject to their approval by members at this meeting the Rules and Bye Laws will be adopted. With the Research Working Group Dr Maureen Young has undertaken a survey of research organisations and current areas of research. Of key interest is the need to determine what areas of research could contribute to practitioners' better understanding of stone and its properties. Much of the networking has been conducted by email and I would urge you to contact her (at m.young@rgu.ac.uk) if you are not already on the Research mailing list.

As a result of the outstanding work of the SSLG Indigenous Stone Project, led by Alan McKinney, during the summer of 2002 a slate block has been extracted from a quarry at Ballachulish for testing. Tests will be carried out by Dr Joan Walsh, Paisley University. Funding for this work has been provided by Historic Scotland. The research is part of the work currently being undertaken to assess the potential for the reopening of at least one Scottish slate quarry to satisfy the well documented need for roofing conservation and repair projects.

On the Education and Training front, we are conscious that any courses that are developed for professionals should be a well integrated with existing established training courses, in particular those that are offered by the Scottish Lime Centre (SLC). This matter has been discussed at Steering Committee meetings and Pat Gibbons is considering ways in which the NSI and SLC training objectives can be meshed to provide best approach.

Together with the SSLG, the NSI has arranged what we hope will be the first of a series of self-financing CPD Seminar Roadshows starting this autumn aimed at local authority staff, architects and builders amongst others. The NSI is grateful for the contributing organisations supporting this venture including the British Geological Survey, the Building Research Establishment, Historic Scotland and SCOTS. It is gratifying to record that the seminars will be recognised as contributing towards the CPD requirements of the RIAS and RICS. There is the potential for a variety of initiatives for schools and young people generally. The task of the new Education Committee is to develop an Educational Policy and to advise on the appointment of the Education Officer.

During the year a Spring edition of the NSI Newsletter was prepared by Audrey Dakin. This was issued, along with other SSLG Newletters to about 2000 people. Discussion is ongoing about future publications. A draft pilot study report into Scottish building stone publications (including stone collections, stone properties and resources and architectural regionality) was prepared by the BGS for Historic Scotland. The NSI was cited as a potential partner in the proposed Steering Group to develop these publications. The NSI web site is being developed by Maureen Young.

Regarding external events, the Convener through support from his own employer (BGS, NERC) and the Quinque Foundation presented talks on the SSLG and NSI at meetings in Cardiff (Countryside Commission for Wales, National Museums of Wales: Stone in Wales), in Newport, Rhode Island, USA (Quinque Foundation: A Conservation Forum: Setting the Agenda in the 21st Century) and in Dublin (Royal Irish Academy, Geological Survey of Ireland, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland: Cultural and Natural Landscapes). The Secretary prepared leaflets and SSLG/NSI exhibition boards which were displayed at several public events and open days.

Fruitful discussions, which may lead to future collaboration, have been held with representatives of other organisations including the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Stone, the DTLR Indigenous Stone Steering Group, the Welsh Stone Forum, ICOMOS UK and the Scottish Earth Science Education Forum.

It has been a successful formative year. Much needs to be done and I urge those of you who are not yet paid up members to take the plunge, spend your money (only £25 as an individual, £150 for Corporate membership, £75 for overseas membership) and actively participate in promoting "a better understanding of stone and its use for public benefit".

Andrew McMillan
Convener, NSI Steering Group
19 September 2002

This text has been edited from the full version which is available from Andrew McMillan, at: