The Victorian Forts Network was established by the Palmerston Forts Society in early 2022 as an informal grouping of “Those involved in the operation of Victorian Forts for the public good”.
The Network intended to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among individuals and organisations who own, manage or curate a Victorian Fortification or are involved in related research. The Network is a forum to share problems, successes, good practices and ideas, challenges, and opportunities.
The Network currently has over 80 members representing over 45 fortified sites and other organisations including the PFS. The PFS role is to coordinate meetings and other connections. A main measure of success of the Network is day to day interactions between members who might otherwise not know each other. The members of the network are not necessarily members of the PFS.
The Network has a mixture of physical and Zoom meetings with the physical ones also including a Zoom element for those are not able to travel to the meeting. Past meetings have been hosted by Royal Armouries Fort Nelson, Nothe Fort and Fort Purbrook.
Some meetings have focused on a key topic such as “Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers” and “Site Security on a Budget” while others have concerned practical skills such a use of Lime Wash.
Membership is currently dominated by forts in the UK but includes a number of sites in the ROI, Malta and New Zealand. We expect to soon welcome members representing overseas British-heritage fortifications of the same period.
The definition of “….the operation of Victorian forts for the public good” is pretty broad. If you are restoring a fort as a private home that still qualifies because we see appropriate restoration as “…for the public good”
If you are not in the network and think that you should be, then get in touch with us at: enquiries@palmerstonfortssociety.org.uk
This is an area for storing information that members of the Network wish to share with their colleagues. This will be added to as it becomes available. If you would like to add something to this list, please send it to us at: enquiries@palmerstonfortssociety.org.uk
An excellent introduction to Mortars, Renders and Plasters from English Heritage.
An example of the sort of training that is available for traditional building materials
Cartridge Zinc Cylinders