FSG Fortifications at Risk Conference at Fort Brockhurst

As part of FSG's 50th anniversary programme we are pleased to be hosting a one day conference at Fort Brockhurst in Gosport.

The conference will explore the challenges and opportunities for the conservation and sustainable re-use of forts and related ex-military sites. We will be seeking to highlight and celebrate success stories and best practice in conservation and re-use of fortifications to encourage those responsible for sites at risk.

The following respected international and UK speakers will be sharing case studies. 

• Dame Caroline Dineage MP, MP for Gosport and Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee who recently undertook an inquiry into Protecting Built Heritage.
• Prof. Nataša Urošević – University of Pula, will present on the Heritage of European naval ports and historic arsenals: the case of Pula, in the broader context of the Adriatic fortification systems.
• Dirk Roeder – Forte Cultura who will be explaining how European cultural routes such as FORTE CULTURA operate on two levels: 1) the cultural route as a multiplier for cultural tourism in fortresses 2)  The network as a catalyst for knowledge exchange and cooperation to promote and sustainably use fortified heritage.
• Jeroen van der Werf, Construction historian and construction engineer. Responsible for the restoration and maintenance work of the fortifications of Naarden on behalf of Monumentenbezit, the foundation that is the owner of the fortifications. He has been active in the International Fortress Council since 2013 and its Secretary General since 2021. He will be talking about: "Preservation through development. By looking at various examples of the re-use of fortifications in the Netherlands, the positive and negative sides of this approach will be discussed."
• Dr. Olha Tikhonova is a Ukrainian architectural historian and conservator specializing in bastion castles and fortifications her topic will be From Defense to Commons: Community-Driven Reuse of Fortifications
• Celia Clark, author of Barracks, Forts and Ramparts. Regeneration Challenges for Portsmouth Harbour’s Defence Heritage (Tricorn Books 2020) who will summarise the successes and challenges experienced in Portsmouth.
• Deniz Beck, who will speak about the work of the Sustainable Conservation Trust and her professional work as an architect on fortification sites including 'Hotwalls' and Fort Gilkicker
• Giles Pritchard – Director, Pritchard Architecture, will be talking about his work on Reimagining Newhaven Fort and the Regeneration of Priddy's Hard, Gosport
• Steve Wallis - Senior Archaeologist, Dorset Council, discussing the lessons from the Rediscovering the High Angle Battery Project
• Alison Naylor, Volunteer and Engagement Manager, East and South East from our hosts English Heritage who will outline the opportunities and challenges facing English Heritage in achieving sustainability and greater public engagement at heritage sites with specific reference to Fort Brockhurst

The proceedings of the conference will be published in FORT. 

The conference is being organised in collaboration with the Portsmouth based Sustainable Conservation Trust who have a great track record in the sustainable reuse of historic buildings for community benefit. 

The conference will be followed by a weekend of study visits to sites in the Portsmouth area. If you wish to also attend the study visits please register your interest on this separate page.