We're delighted to welcome Anna Cluley to the DHBT team. Anna is our Heritage Development Officer, which is a new role created as part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund project.
Anna will be leading work on undertaking surveys of buildings at risk in two local authority areas - Amber Valley Borough Council and Derby City. You can find our more about the surveys and how you can get involved here. If you've already expressed an interest in supporting the survey work, Anna will be in touch with you very soon.
Anna's work will help to ensure the DHBT becomes a more resilient organisation that will save, sustain and champion vulnerable heritage buildings in Derbyshire for the benefit of local communities. Anna will be working closely with Tricia Trice, who is idenitfying ways of incorporating training and heritage skills into all of our work.
To get to know Anna a little better, we asked her a few welcome questions:
Q. Welcome Anna! Tell us where you live?
I live in Matlock, Derbyshire.
Q. When did you first become interested in historic buildings?
Growing up in the Peak District, almost within sight of Chatsworth House, I was always fascinated by old buildings and the stories they could tell about life for different groups of people in the past. I grew up in an area that was full of quirky old buildings, and I vividly remember going on family walks and bombarding my parents with questions about their origins. Later, as my interest in history more generally developed and I began reading more widely on varying periods, I still retained an interest in historic buildings- often the lone survivors of bygone ages. Some of my favourite History projects at school involved researching and investigating Peveril Castle in Castleton and All Saints Parish Church in Bakewell. After school, I went on to study Archaeology at the University of York- a city steeped in history and full of architectural gems- and was privileged enough to be able to undertake a Buildings Archaeology project on a number of these as part of my undergraduate studies. Outside of academic study, I also retained my childlike delight at visiting historic houses and buildings and (as my husband will confirm!) avidly devouring the stories of those who built them and lived and worked there.
Q. Where did you work before joining DHBT?
I worked at Hathersage St. Michael’s Primary School as a Class Teacher and Subject Leader, for just over ten years before joining the DHBT.
Q. What first attracted you to the Heritage Development Officer role?
I liked that the role was a new position, based locally, that was looking to to help local people take ownership of their own heritage and protect historic buildings at risk within Derbyshire.
Q. Outside of work, do you have any interesting or unusual hobbies?
I sometimes feel like I have too many hobbies and not enough time! Some of my biggest interests (outside of visiting various English Heritage and National Trust properties) are sailing and other water sports. Myself and my husband sail together at Carsington Water and also like to take our boat around the country sailing on other inland and coastal waters. As well as sailing, I love swimming, hill walking and travelling to beautiful places in our bright green campervan Kermit! I am even lucky enough to sometimes be able to incorporate all these interests into one trip! Closer to home, I really enjoy spending time in our garden, finding ways we can make it more friendly and inviting to local wildlife such as birds, bees and hedgehogs.
This project has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.