Interview with Liz Mayle
Gunby Hall, built in 1700: meticulous account books tell how William Massingberd imported facing bricks from the Netherlands. |
Interview with Liz Mayle, a historic buildings consultant with Liz Mayle Heritage.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Many brilliant people have inspired me, in both fashion (my former career) and conservation. But my greatest inspiration was the late Jim Johnston, a brilliant lecturer from Bishop Grosseteste University College in Lincoln. We had lectures three or four times a week covering architectural history of just about every building type, methods of construction, how buildings were used and who used them. He was a constant throughout my three years of learning. I remember vividly the many site visits, including an extensive tour of Lincoln Cathedral to see the real bones of its construction and, with equal enthusiasm, a visit to a small, well-preserved Quaker meeting house, or looking at a wonderful font cover or his favourite misericord. Dr Jim gave me a very sound and extensive knowledge base that I have used every day since graduation. My mentor and constant in the world of conservation after graduation was Rob Walker, retired now, but formerly of East Lindsey District Council.
What has been your best idea?
My best idea after that of changing career from fashion design to historic building conservation has been to design a fireproof beach hut, following an arson attack three years ago (one of six burned to ashes over a period of three nights). One of the best photos I have of the original hut was in Context 130, July 2013, ‘Icons of the British seaside’. It has been a challenge and taken ages with Covid, but the fireproof shell is up and it looks traditional. My knowledge of fireproofing historic buildings has been very useful. My family and I have built our new beach hut ourselves and hope to complete it this summer.
What would you like to have been if you had not become a conservationist?
I have been lucky enough to have enjoyed two fulfilling careers. I was a fashion designer, but always loved old buildings. As a teenager I used to plead with my grandparents to take me to look at thatched cottages and churches if we were out driving, or to look at the big church in Louth (which is now what I see from my office every day). I made Lego copies of all the buildings I visited too, modifying the pieces by drawing glazing bars on them and making thatched roofs from painted straws. Had I not become a conservationist I think my early love of architecture would have led me to being an architect.
How do you reply when at a party someone asks what you do?
I have always told people quite proudly that I was a local authority conservation officer and, in recent years, a historic building consultant.
What is the biggest frustration in your job?
I am not at all frustrated working for myself. But I did get frustrated by the lack of planning enforcement at several of the local authorities I worked for. Leaving unauthorised works without regularisation, and especially where something of such value is lost that can not be replaced, and then not taking legal action, gives out all the wrong messages. There should be specialist conservation enforcement officers in every local authority.
What would you like to be doing in five years’ time?
To be semi-retired, hoping to have someone else working with me who will eventually take on my small practice. I shall then enjoy travelling with my husband in our vintage touring caravan, gardening and making jewellery.
What is your favourite building?
I always think this a particularly cruel question for anyone who works with historic buildings. I have a favourite building (and building type, for that matter) in every country, county and even district, that I have visited. But a real favourite is Gunby Hall in Lincolnshire, a fine red brick house of 1700 with stone dressings. I have an attachment to the house, inside and out, its landscape gardens and its history after studying it as a student. William Massingberd was responsible for building the house. Meticulous account books tell how he imported facing bricks from the Netherlands, and how much he paid for stone to be brought to site and for his sash windows. Gunby Hall was frequented by Tennyson and was his ‘haunt of ancient peace’. It was nearly demolished for a runway during the second world war, but thankfully the owners gave it to the National Trust to ensure its survival. My favourite place to sit is in a sweet little gazebo in a sunny spot in the garden, designed by Elizabeth Massingberd in the 19th century.
Your favourite place?
Apart from my lovely home town of Louth, noted in a report by the Georgian Group as one of the best-preserved Georgian market towns in England, it is Venice. I fell in love with the place after visiting in 2018. I visited every Palladio building in Venice between palazzo watching from a good seat on the vaporetto, cruising a loop around the Grand Canal and the Canal de Giudecca every day to look at them.
Your favourite book?
An original 1925 edition of ‘A History of English Brickwork: with examples and notes of the architectural use and manipulation of brick from medieval times to the end of the Georgian period’, to give its full name, by Nathanial Lloyd. It is a marvellous study of brick buildings in England, richly illustrated with black-and-white photographs, and pull-out pages with scaled drawings of buildings and all manner of architectural details drawn brick by brick.
What do you do in your spare time?
Silversmithing and jewellery design. I attend evening classes, having a night off from historic buildings.
What organisations are you a member of?
National Trust, Lincolnshire Gardens Trust, Sutton on Sea Beach Hut Association and Historic Houses Association.
Which one issue would you particularly like the IHBC to campaign on?
Removing permitted development rights in conservation areas. What is the point of having an area that is designated in law for its special architectural or historic interest with a statutory planning duty to preserve it, and then undermining this with permitted development rights?
This article originally appeared in the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC’s) Context 172, published in June 2022.
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation
Related articles on Designing Buildings
IHBC NewsBlog
IHBC Membership Journal Context - Latest Issue on 'Hadrian's Wall' Published
The issue includes takes on the wall 'end-to-end' including 'the man who saved it'.
Heritage Building Retrofit Toolkit developed by City of London and Purcell
The toolkit is designed to provide clear and actionable guidance for owners, occupiers and caretakers of historic and listed buildings.
70 countries sign Declaration de Chaillot at Buildings & Climate Global Forum
The declaration is a foundational document enabling progress towards a ‘rapid, fair, and effective transition of the buildings sector’
Bookings open for IHBC Annual School 12-15 June 2024
Theme: Place and Building Care - Finance, Policy and People in Conservation Practice
Rare Sliding Canal Bridge in the UK gets a Major Update
A moveable rail bridge over the Stainforth and Keadby Canal in the Midlands in England has been completely overhauled.
'Restoration and Renewal: Developing the strategic case' Published
The House of Commons Library has published the research briefing, outlining the different options for the Palace of Westminster.
Brum’s Broad Street skyscraper plans approved with unusual rule for residents
A report by a council officer says that the development would provide for a mix of accommodation in a ‘high quality, secure environment...
English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023
Initial findings from the English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023 have been published.
Audit Wales research report: Sustainable development?
A new report from Audit Wales examines how Welsh Councils are supporting repurposing and regeneration of vacant properties and brownfield sites.
New Guidance Launched on ‘Understanding Special Historic Interest in Listing’
Historic England (HE) has published this guidance to help people better understand special historic interest, one of the two main criteria used to decide whether a building can be listed or not.