29th December 2005, 12:17 PM
'I have worked with a new community group supervising their fieldwork. We aspire to do the work to a higher standard than in commercial work (which is my regular job), but the reality is that the skills will take a while to come. I should point out that they are very professional in most respects and are paying market rate for my skills.'
I am heartened to hear positive stories, and I am sure that there are many more out there. Amateurs do have a valueable role to play, especially in areas of research, although there is a need for more checking of the quality of the work and the published results. Perhaps posts a bit like the officers of the Portable Antiquities Scheme could be set up - regional 'Society Liaison Officers' who could keep an eye on what goes on outside of the commercial sector. It would be a useful way for EH/HLF money to be spent and would take some pressure off the curators. Since the lottery is often responsible for opening this can of worms, maybe it should also be responsible for monitoring it.
I am heartened to hear positive stories, and I am sure that there are many more out there. Amateurs do have a valueable role to play, especially in areas of research, although there is a need for more checking of the quality of the work and the published results. Perhaps posts a bit like the officers of the Portable Antiquities Scheme could be set up - regional 'Society Liaison Officers' who could keep an eye on what goes on outside of the commercial sector. It would be a useful way for EH/HLF money to be spent and would take some pressure off the curators. Since the lottery is often responsible for opening this can of worms, maybe it should also be responsible for monitoring it.